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2016-07-14 Info Packet
� = 1 CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION PACKET CITY OF IOWA CITY www.icgov.org July 14, 2016 IN Council Tentative Meeting Schedule JULY 18 JOINT MEETING IP2 Agenda JULY 19 WORK SESSION I133 Work Session Agenda IP4 Memo from Interim City Manager and Sustainability Coordinator: Climate Change Task Force (previously distributed 5/19) IP5 Memo from Sustainability Coordinator: Carbon emissions reduction project IP6 Memo from Sustainability Coordinator: STAR Certification Results Report IP7 Memo from Interim City Manager: July Rose Oaks Update IP8 Pending City Council Work Session Topics IP9 Memo from City Clerk: KXIC Radio Show IP10 Memo from City Clerk: Listening Post Update Letter from Council Member Cole: Rose Oaks Transition Plan Assistance [Distributed as Late Handout 7/19/16.] MISCELLANEOUS IP11 Memo from Asst. to the City Manager: Oakcrest Street Sidewalk Infill Project IP12 Memo from Transportation Planner and City Engr.: Mormon Trek Boulevard & First Avenue — four -lane to three -lane conversions IP13 Response from MPOJC Executive Director to Diane Kruse: Traffic on Ridge Road / Gateway Project IP14 Memo from Equity Dir.: Diversity Implementations Update and Status on Racial Equity and Diversity Initiative (2"d Quarter 2016) IP15 Copy of email from Harry Olmstead to staff: U of I Chinese Students IP16 Copy of letter from Associate Planner to neighborhood: 101 Lusk Avenue July 14, 2016 Information Packet (continued) 2 IP17 Copy of press release: Call for Volunteers: help move Rose Oaks tenants Email from Missie Forbes, Development Director, Domestic Violence Intervention Program: DVIP [Distributed as late handout 7/18/16.] News Release: FACF presents final payment on $1 million capital campaign pledge for new Animal Center [Distributed as late handout 7/18/16.] DRAFT MINUTES IP18 Board of Adjustment: June 15 IP19 Economic Development Committee: July 12 IP20 Historic Preservation Commission: June 9 IP21 Housing and Community Development: June 16 IP22 Human Rights Commission: July 7 IP23 Planning and Zoning Commission: July 7 ' - -4 • rir®rte'-� CITY OF IOWA CITY www.icgov.org CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION PACKET July 14, 2016 IPI Council Tentative Meeting Schedule IP2 Agenda IP3 Work Session JULY 18 JOINT MEETING \ JULY 19 WORK SESSION / I IP4 Memo from Interim City ager and Sustainability Force (previously distribute 5/19) IP5 Memo from Sustainability Coordin or: Carbon IP6 Memo from Sustainability Coordinator: TAR G IP7 Memo from Interim City Manager: July R se IP8 Pending City Council Work Session Topics Climate Change Task reduction project Results Report Update IP9 Memo from City Clerk: KXIC Radio Show IP10 Memo from City Clerk: Listening Post U date MIS9tLLANEOUS IP11 Memo from Asst. to the City Manag r: Oakcrest Street Sidew Ik Infill Project IP12 Memo from Transportation Pla er and City Engr.: Mormon Trek Boulevard & First Avenue — four -lane to three -la conversions IP13 Response from MPOJC Ex utive Director to Diane Kruse: Traffi on Ridge Road / Gateway Project IP14 Memo from Equity Dir.: rversity Implementations Update and Status op Racial Equity and Diversity Initiative "d Quarter 2016) IP15 Copy of email from Harry Olmstead to staff: U of I Chinese Students IP16 Copy of letter from Associate Planner to neighborhood: 101 Lusk Avenue IP17 Copy of press release: Call for Volunteers: help move Rose Oaks tenants July 14, 2016 Information Packet (continued) 2 DRAFT MINUTES IP18 Board of Adjustment: June 15 IP19 Economic DevelopmentjCommittee: July 12 IP20 Historic Preservation Corhmission: June 9 IP21 Housing and Community DeN�elopment: June 16 IP22 Human Rights Commission: Aly 7 IP23 Planning and Zoning Commission'�July 7 ui-74-16 SP1 ? City Council Tentative Meeting Schedule y^� Subject to change July 14, 2016 CI F IOWA CITY Date Time Meeting Location Monday, July 18, 2016 4:00 PM Reception Coralville City Hall 4:30 PM Joint Entities Meeting Tuesday, July 19, 2016 5:00 PM Work Session Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:00 PM Formal Meeting Tuesday, August 2, 2016 5:00 PM Work Session Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:00 PM Formal Meeting Tuesday, August 16, 2016 5:00 PM Work Session Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:00 PM Formal Meeting Tuesday, September 6, 2016 5:00 PM Work Session Emma 1. Harvat Hall 7:00 PM Formal Meeting Tuesday, September 20, 2016 5:00 PM Work Session Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:00 PM Formal Meeting Tuesday, October 4, 2016 5:00 PM Work Session Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:00 PM Formal Meeting Tuesday, October 18, 2016 5:00 PM Work Session Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:00 PM Formal Meeting Tuesday, November 1, 2016 5:00 PM Work Session Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:00 PM Formal Meeting Tuesday, November 15, 2016 5:00 PM Work Session Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:00 PM Formal Meeting Tuesday, December 6, 2016 5:00 PM Work Session Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:00 PM Formal Meeting Tuesday, December 20, 2016 5:00 PM Work Session Emma J. Harvat Hall 7100 PM Formal Meeting U7-14-16 IP2 AGENDA Joint Meeting Johnson County Board of Supervisors City of Iowa City City of Coralville City of North Liberty City of Tiffin City of Hills Iowa City Community School District Board Clear Creek Amana School District Monday, July 18, 2016 City Hall in Coralville; Council Chambers 4:30 PM (Meeting preceded by 4:00 P.M. Reception) Call to Order Welcome and Introductions 1. Update on Crisis Intervention Programs, Training and Facilities. (Johnson County and Iowa City) 2. Affordable Housing. (Johnson County and Iowa City) 3. Iowa Arena and Sports Institute Project Update. (Coralville) 4. Pedestrian & Bike Road Safety Audit. (Coralville) 5. Other Business. Adjourn �r -dr4y UON CITY OF IOWA CITY 410 East Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240-1826 (3 19) 356-5000 (319) 356-5009 FAX www.icgov.org City Council Work Session Agenda Tuesday, July 19, 2016 Emma J. Harvat Hall - City Hall 5:00 PM • Questions from Council re Agenda Items • Discuss creation of a Climate Change Task Force [IP # 4 Info Packet of 7/14] • Undertake a project in FY 2017 that achieves a significant measurable carbon emission reduction [IP # 5 and IP # 6 Info Packet of 7/14] • Review Council Member Cole proposal for Rose Oaks assistance • Information Packet Discussion [July 7,141 • Council Time Meeting Schedule • Pending Work Session Topics [IP # 8 Info Packet of 7/14] • Upcoming Community Events/Council Invitations rwr�r P�� h CITY OF MEMO IP4 IOWA CITY RANDUM Previously distributed IP2 on 5/19/16 Date: May 18, 2016 To: Mayor and Council From: Geoff Fruin, Interim City Manager Copy Brenda Nations, Sustainability Coordinator Re: Climate Change Task Force The City's 2016-17 Strategic Plan includes the following initiative: Set a substantive and achievable goal for reducing city-wide carbon emissions by 2030, and create an ad-hoc climate change task force, potentially under an umbrella STAR Communities committee, to devise a cost-effective strategy for achieving the goal Staff has discussed this internally, particularly in regards to how a Climate Change Task Force will relate to the ongoing STAR Communities effort and the Council Strategic Plan objective to undertake a project in FY 2017 that achieves a significant measurable carbon emission reduction. Our recommendation is that the City-wide carbon emissions reduction goal and the Climate Change Task Force move independently, yet concurrent, with the STAR Communities effort and FY 2017 carbon emissions reduction project. Regarding the STAR Communities effort, staff believes the metrics of that program are well defined and that an external committee is not needed to advance our efforts in those work areas. To that end, staff is hosting an internal workshop with the STAR Communities representatives this coming July that will help us prioritize actions for the next few years. We believe the Council's Strategic Plan provides sufficient guidance for us to prioritize efforts within the STAR Communities framework. Because the metrics of the program expand beyond the role of the City, we will engage key external stakeholders including, but not limited to, the County, School District and University of Iowa. This approach seems to align well with a third strategic plan objective to collaborate with community partners on sustainability efforts. Progress on the City staffs STAR Communities efforts can be shared with the future Climate Change Task Force and if opportunities for collaboration are identified those can be easily coordinated. Regarding the FY 2017 carbon emissions reduction project, staff suggests this item also move independently of the Climate Change Task Force. The primary reason for this is timing, as the formation and deliberations of the Climate Change Task Force will likely stretch into FY 2018 before concrete action plan recommendations will be forwarded to the Council. It is our belief that we can independently carry out a meaningful carbon emission reduction project in FY 2017 and allocate funds in the FY 2018 budget to carry out the action plan created by the Climate Change Task Force. Staff recommends the following steps for the City Council to consider when creating the Climate Change Task Force: 1. Selection of a facilitator: Staff believes a third party facilitator is appropriate for this committee. A knowledgeable and skilled facilitator will help focus conversations of the group and handle the organizational tasks that would otherwise take away from other May 18, 2016 Page 2 critical staff duties. The City anticipated this need in the budget and allocated $25,000 for this purpose. A Request for Proposal (RFP) process should be utilized for the selection of a facilitator. Staff recommends two Council members join staff in this selection process. It is realistic to expect the selection of a facilitator will take approximately two months. 2. Design of Committee Structure and Scope: The selected facilitator, along with the RFP review committee (two Council members and staff), should develop a recommendation on the structure of the task force, including member selection process, and overall scope of work. This recommendation can be presented to the entire City Council for adoption by resolution. This step may take an additional one to two months. 3. Establishment of a Carbon Emissions Reduction Goal: Concurrently with the RFP process and design of the committee structure the Council should set a preliminary carbon emissions reduction goal that can serve as a starting point for the task force. Staff can present goals from other communities as well as other relevant information to assist the Council in making this determination. Ideally this process is complete and the goal Is Incorporated into the enabling resolution that creates the Climate Change Task Force. 4. Committee Work: After the Council appoints committee members the task force will begin work. A detailed scope will be articulated by the Council's enabling resolution. However, the general work will include review of the Council established preliminary carbon emissions reduction goal and creation of an action plan with corresponding cost effective measures to achieve the established goal. Staff recommends that Council discuss this proposed process and provide staff direction on how to proceed. If Council concurs with step one noted above, then the Council will need to appoint two members to the RFP committee. r CITY OF IOWA CITY MEMORANDUM Date: July 12, 2016 To: Geoff Fruin, Interim City Manager From: Brenda Nations, Sustainability Coordinator Re: Carbon emissions reduction project Introduction: The City's 2016-2017 Strategic Plan has several climate objectives, including to undertake a project in FY 2017 that achieves a significant measurable carbon emission reduction. Other objectives include creating a substantive and achievable goal for reducing city— wide emissions by 2030 and to create an ad-hoc climate change task force. In May, staff suggested that we independently move forward on the carbon emissions project in FY17; the Climate Change Task Force and setting a city-wide reduction goal will be comprehensive and take longer to identify concrete actions. In addition to achieving a carbon emission reduction, it was also expressed that it was desirable for the project to benefit our low-income population to advance equity and inclusion. Staff convened to discuss options to fulfill this objective, with this potential benefit in mind. Discussion: Staff from several departments met to create a list of options for projects. The list included many good ideas, but some were either not significantly impactful (such as expanding the bike share program into low-income areas, tree planting efforts in selected neighborhoods, or solar powered bus shelters) or did not provide a specific benefit to the selected population (examples include expanding Big Belly solar recycling to parks, solar on parking ramps, a green roof project, electric vehicle charging stations). Two options that capture both goals were discussed: 1. Partnering with Green Iowa Americorps to conduct energy audits on the City's 91 Housing Authority units; and • 2. Partnering with a non-profit on an energy efficiency or renewable energy project. After contacting the Green Iowa Americorps program out of UNI, we found the program to be compatible with our upcoming climate initiatives. As a host city, a requirement of $8,000 of matching funds are required for 5 trained full-time Americorps members to conduct energy audits over an 11 month period. The audits include weatherization and a report on energy efficiency opportunities. All 91 Housing Authority units could be completed in the 11 month period. Staff believes that additional funding could be used to implement measures identified in July 13, 2016 Page 2 the audits (for example, adding additional insulation), to create an even larger financial and energy savings. This work could also leverage MidAmerican rebates to increase the scope of the project Recommendation: Iowa City has agreed to be a host city for an Americorps program and has the required matching funds to support the program, but not for the more impactful measures that we expect will be identified. Staff recommends $70,000 of the $100,000 budgeted funds to be used to upgrade the 91 City owned Housing Authority units. Energy efficiency measures will be determined by the energy audit reports that we receive from Americorps. Examples of potential improvements include lighting upgrades, insulation, upgrading HVAC systems, and weather proofing. While the physical improvements would not be highly visible to the public, it would benefit the residents of 91 housing units by lowering their energy costs, since they are responsible for the utility bill in these units. Staff would quantify the energy savings and work with communications to publicize our effort with the results. In addition, staff recommends partnering with a local non-profit on an energy efficiency project to create cost savings to the non-profit, thus assisting them in their effort to maximize their service to the community. Financial Impact: Within the FY 2017 Budget, $100,000 has been allocated for this objective. It is recommended that $70,000 be allocated for upgrades identified from energy audits that Americorps will be conducted on the City owned public housing units and the remaining $30,000 be designated for assistance to a local non-profit for energy efficiency, renewable energy or other carbon emission project. If Council concurs, a process would be developed to identify a project. Cc: Doug Boothroy, Neighborhood and Development Services Director Tracy Hightshoe, Neighborhood Services Coordinator CITY OF IOWA CITY MEMORANDUM Date: July 12, 2016 To: Geoff Fruin, Interim City Manager From: Brenda Nations, Sustainability Coordinator Re: STAR Certification Results Report ui-14-76 IP6 As a follow up to Iowa City's STAR Community Rating certification, a workshop will be held on July 215. The workshop will be facilitated by STAR personnel, with participants attending from City staff as well as members from local entities who assisted in the certification process. To prepare for the day's workshop, STAR personnel prepared the attached report, which will be used to examine our overall certification results within a national context. The report shows that Iowa City ranks 9° of the 51 cities that have undergone certification (p. 7), scored very high in the area of Education, Arts and Community (p. 23), and also excelled in the area of Equity and Empowerment (p. 27). The goal of the workshop is to develop a list of priority actions low scoring areas (such as Climate and Energy) which will also align with the City Council's strategic plan. Cc: Doug Boothroy, Neighborhood and Development Services Director STAR COMMUNITIES SUSTAINABILITY TOOLS FOR ASSESSING & RATING COMMUNITIES g CITY OF IOWA CITY STAR Certification Results Report City of Iowa City, IA Certified 4 -STAR Community March 2016 BUILT, —CLIMATE W —ECONOMY EDUCATIOKARTS —EQUITY& m —HEALTH& —NATURAL, m m Pa 0 N m O 0 r N MIN e Z C^ m z _ TABLE OF CONTENTS STAR BACKGROUND • The STAR Community Rating System 3 • The STAR Framework & Evaluation Measures 4 IOWA CITY'S STAR RATING • Iowa City's STAR Journey 5 • Overview of Iowa City's Score 6 • National Context for Iowa City's Score 7 • Comparative Analysis for Iowa City's Score 8 OBJECTIVE ANALYSIS • Built Environment 9 • Climate & Energy 13 • Economy & Jobs 17 • Education, Arts & Community 21 • Equity & Empowerment 24 • Health & Safety 28 • Natural Systems 32 • Innovation & Process 36 NEXT STEPS 39 1 STAR COMMUNITIES SUSTAINABILITY TOOLS FOR ASSESSING & RATING COMMUNITIFS This report was prepared by STAR Communities for the City of Iowa City, IA in June 2016. STAR COMMUNITIES® and the STAR COMMUNITY RATING (& design) marks are federally registered marks of STAR Communities. Copyright ©2016 STAR Communities. All rights reserved. z ��� The STAR Community Rating System The STAR Community Rating SystemT" (STAR) is the nation's first comprehensive framework and certification program for evaluating community- wide sustainability, encompassing economic, environmental, and social performance measures. Sustainability means different things to different people, so STAR provides a clear, data -driven approach to assessing communities' sustainability efforts. The STAR framework helps communities assess their efforts in key areas and define sustainability for themselves. The rating system is maintained by STAR Communities, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC that works to advance a national framework to evaluate and certify sustainable communities in North America STAR was developed for local governments by local governments. Nearly two hundred volunteers representing fifty cities and counties, state and federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, national associations, universities, utilities, and private corporations contributed thousands of hours and diverse expertise to the development of the STAR Community Rating System. Experts served on steering, technical, and ad hoc committees, which led to the development of the framework methodologies for measurement, credits, and requirements for achieving and maintaining a STAR Community Rating. To promote continuous improvement towards sustainability, STAR Communities has developed a certification program based off of the measures in the rating system. To apply for a STAR Community Rating, the town, city, or county government must be the primary applicant. Staff and/or representatives of the community fill out an online application by providing data on a variety of community sustainability indicators and coordinating data collection from both governmental agencies and community partners. Communities choose the measures that they would like to report on and are not required to submit on all measures. This allows local governments to report on the objectives that are most important and relevant to their communities. Once the community submits the completed application forms, STAR Communities' verification teams reviews and verifies all measures for accuracy and then assigns a rating based upon a total cumulative score of points. A STAR Community Rating lasts for three years after the certification date. Goal Area Purpose and Intent Built Environment Achieve livability, choice, and access for all where people live, work, and play Climate & Energy Reduce climate impacts through adaptation and mitigation efforts and increase resource efficiency Education, Arts & Empower vibrant, educated, connected, and diverse communities Community Economy & jobs Create equitably shared prosperity and access to quality jobs Equity & Empowerment Ensure equity, inclusion, and access to opportunity for all citizens Health & Safety Strengthen communities to be healthy, resilient and safe places for residents and businesses Natural Systems Protect and restore the natural resource base upon which life depends Table I: The Rating System is divided into seven thematic sustainability goal areas it4 The STAR Framework & Evaluation Measures The STAR Community Rating System is built on a framework of sustainability goals, objectives, and evaluation measures. Version 1.2 of the Rating System contains seven sustainability goals. Under each goal, there are between five and seven objectives. These forty-four objectives are the core areas that contain evaluation measures and metrics. Table 2: Version 1.2 of the STAR framework of goals and objectives STAR objectives are achieved through attainment of two types of evaluation measures: community level outcomes and local actions. Community level outcomes are measurable condition -level indicators that depict a community's progress toward a preferred state or condition within the STAR objective it supports. Outcomes are represented as trend lines, targets, or thresholds in the rating system. Examples include reductions in energy use or increased transportation access. Local actions describe the range of decisions and investments that a local government or community can make, or the activities that they can engage in, that are essential to making progress within objectives. Local actions in the rating system focus on the key interventions that move the needle towards STAR's identified outcomes. Since many public, private, and non-profit organizations within the community contribute towards advancing sustainability goals, the rating system recognizes these efforts, not only those of the local government. There are nine defined action types in the rating system. Preparatory actions are foundational steps that a community should take first to assess the community's needs and trends, identify and execute policy and regulatory changes, and strengthen partnerships and collaborations in order to effectively deploy resources and investments. Implementation actions are the programs and services, enforcement and incentive mechanisms, and infrastructure investments a community makes in order to efficiently and equitably move the needle towards the desired outcomes. 4 A Iowa City's STAR Journey The City of Iowa City started on the path to certification as one of the eight communities in the Spring 2015 Leadership STAR Community Program. The Leadership Program is a one-year all-inclusive package that provides extensive staff support and services to a cohort of communities as they perform their first baseline sustainability assessment under the STAR Community Rating System. The Spring 2015 cohort was the fourth class of the Leadership Program, and included Abington Township, PA; Boise, ID; Cambridge, MA; Columbus, OH; Henderson, NV; Iowa City, IA; San Antonio, TX; and Steamboat Springs, CO. Staff from the participating communities met in Washington, DC in March 2015 to receive an orientation and intensive training on the Rating System's measures, project management, certification, and how to communicate results. Brenda Nations, Sustainability Coordinator for Iowa City, and Cam Fox-Rummelhart from the Iowa City Housing Authority represented the community at the training and served as the chief project managers for the certification process. Information and data was gathered for the certification application throughout 2015 with the assistance of dozens of city staff members, community partners, state agencies, local and regional govemments, and private sector employers. Many community partners assisted the City including the Iowa City Area Development Group, Iowa City Community School District, Johnson County and University of Iowa. Over the course of 2015 and early 2016, Iowa City staff received regular technical support, such as monthly check-in calls with a dedicated STAR coordinator and quarterly networking calls with other Leadership participants. In March 2016, Iowa City was awarded the Certified 4 -STAR Community Rating for national excellence. The community received 484.8 points out of the available 720 points. The certification was under Version 1.2 of the Rating System. Iowa City is the fifth Iowa community to achieve STAR certification, receiving the Certified 4 -STAR Community Rating for national excellence in March 2016. 5 Overview of Iowa City's Score Communities pursuing STAR certification accumulate points by demonstrating their achievements across seven goal areas. Each community chooses which measures to report on from a menu of over five hundred quantitative outcome ` and qualitative action measures. This allows local governments to report on the measures that are most important and relevant to their communities. STAR Communities performs a rigorous third party verification of each application to ensure conformity with national standards and best practices before certifying a community. There are three STAR certification levels: 3 -STAR Community (200-399 points), 4 -STAR Community (400-599 points), and 5 -STAR Community (600+ points). On March 6, 2016, Iowa City received a Certified 4 -STAR Community Rating by earning 484.8 points under Version 1.2 of the Rating System. The chart below illustrates Iowa City's high performance, especially within the Built Environment; Education, Arts & Community; and Health & Safety. Other goal areas, such as Equity & Empowerment and Climate & Energy, offer opportunity for improvement. Table 3: Iowa City's STAR Certification Final Score by Goal Area 100 90 80 70 60 so 40 30 20 10 0 3 esti c� o� `ococ�� (P Qos+ gar J�a v , 0 04t Graph I: Iowa City's STAR Certification, Total Points by Goal Area ■ Points Missed ■ Points Achieved Avg Points Points Points Percent Goal Area Achieved Missed Available Achieved Built Environment 75.0 25.0 100 75% Climate & Energy 40.7 59.3 100 41% Economy & Jobs 68.6 31.4 100 69% Education, Arts & Community 65.3 4.7 70 93% Equity & Empowerment 57.8 42.2 100 58% Health & Safety 77.5 22.5 100 78% Natural Systems 59.0 41.0 100 59% Innovation & Process 41.0 9.0 50 82% Totals 484.8 235.2 720 67% Table 3: Iowa City's STAR Certification Final Score by Goal Area 100 90 80 70 60 so 40 30 20 10 0 3 esti c� o� `ococ�� (P Qos+ gar J�a v , 0 04t Graph I: Iowa City's STAR Certification, Total Points by Goal Area ■ Points Missed ■ Points Achieved Avg National Context for Iowa City's Score Over one hundred communities have signed up as STAR members, and as of June 2016, fifty-one have achieved STAR certification. Out of the fifty-one certified communities, four are 5 -STAR communities, twenty are 4 -STAR communities, and twenty-seven are 3 -STAR communities. Out of the certified 4 -STAR communities, Iowa City's score falls towards the high end of the pack Iowa City's STAR certification is a testament to the City's commitment to creating a better community for all of its citizens and will serve as an important benchmark from which to move forward. S -STAR COMMUNITIES • Baltimore, MD • Cambridge, MA • Northampton, MA • Seattle, WA 4 -STAR COMMUNITIES • Austin, TX • Boise, ID • Broward County, FL • Burlington, VT • Columbus, OH • Davenport, IA • Dubuque, 1A • Evanston, IL • Henderson, NV • Iowa City, IA • Las Vegas, NV • Louisville, KY • Memphis/Shelby County, TN • Plano, TX • Portland, OR • Raleigh, NC • Steamboat Springs, CO • Tacoma, WA • Tucson, AZ • Washington, DC 3 -STAR COMMUNITIES • Albany, NY • Atlanta, GA • Beaverton, OR • Birmingham, AL • Blue Island, IL • Chandler, AZ • Chanes City, IA • Cleveland, OH • Des Moines, IA • EI Cerrito, CA • Fayetteville, AR • Fort Collins, CO • Houston, TX • Indianapolis, IN • Las Cruces, NM • Lee County, FL • Monroe County, FL • Palm Bay, FL • Park Forest IL • Phoenix, AZ • Reading, PA • Riverside, CA • Rosemount, MN • San Antonio, TX • St Louis, MO • Wichita, KS • Woodbridge, NJ Graph 2: Final scores of all Certified Communities as of June 2016. Iowa City's comparative rankrig is shown in red. 7 Comparative Analysis of Iowa City's Score A closer examination of Iowa City's point totals in each goal area compared to other certified communities reveals areas of strong performance as well as opportunities for improvement The box - and -whisker graph below illustrates how Iowa City performed in each goal area relative to all other certified communities. The box -and -whisker graph is divided into quartiles, with the middle division representing the median score and the outer ends on the "whiskers" representing the lowest and highest score. The section from the end of the whisker on the low end to the beginning of the box represents the 25' percentile, the first half of the box represents scores from the 25'-5Gth percentile, the second half of the box represents score from the 50'-75' percentile and the whisker on higher end represents scores in Built Environment Climate & Energy Economy & jobs Education,Ares & Community Equity & Empowerment Health & Safety Natural Systems Innovation & Process the 75'-100' percentile. The smaller the box, the closer the distribution of scores, while a longer box indicates that the scores are more dispersed. Iowa City fell in the top 25' percentile in several of the goal areas—Built Environment; Economy & jobs; Education, Arts & Community, Equity & Empowerment; Health & Safety; and Innovation & Process. Climate & Energy is Iowa City's lowest scoring goal area, and is in the bottom 50' percentile. The next section will go a step further by breaking down each goal area and looking at Iowa City's performance in the forty-four STAR objectives. 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 Graph 3: Comparative analysis of Iowa City's goal area scores. The blue diamonds indicate Iowa City's score in each goal area. The colored boxes represent the 25th -75th percentile of oil certified communities' scores. U Table 4: Objectives within Built Environment and their associated points Iowa City achieved 75 out of the 100 total available points in this goal area, scoring highly in BE -2: Community Water Systems, BE -4: Housing Affordability, and BE -6: Public Spaces. There is opportunity for improvement in all areas, but especially in BE -5: Infill & Redevelopment, the lowest performing objective within the Built Environment goal. BE -1: Ambient Noise & Light BE -2: Community Water Systems BE -3: Compact & Complete BE -4: Housing Affordability BE -5: Infill & Redevelopment BE -6: Public Spaces BE-7:Transportation Choices 0 5 10 15 20 Graph 4: Iowa City's Built Environment performance by objective. IN ■ Points Achieved E Points Missed BUILT, BUILT ENVIRONMENT m Overview ■ ■■� z 3 The seven objectives in the Built Environment goal area evaluate community M development livability, and design characteristics, with an emphasis patterns, Z on access and choice for all residents regardless of income. OBJECTIVE PURPOSE & INTENT AVAILABLE POINTS BE -I Ambient Noise & Light Minimize and manage ambient noise and light levels to 5 protect public health and integrity of ecological systems Community Water Systems: Provide o clean and secure water supply for all local BE -2 users through the management of potable water, wastewater, stormwater, and other 15 piped infrastructure Compact & Complete Communities: Concentrate development in compact BE -3 human scaled, walkable centers and neighborhoods that connect to transit offer 20 diverse uses and services, and provide housing options for families of all income levels BE 4 Housing Affordability: Construct, preserve, and maintain on adequate and diverse 15 supply of location -efficient and affordable housing options for all residents Infill & Redevelopment Focus new growth in infill areas and on redevelopment that BE -5 does not require the extension of water, sewer, and road infrastructure or facilitate 10 sprawl BE -6 Public Spaces: Create o nervork of well -used and enjoyable parks and public spaces 15 that feature equitable, convenient access for residents throughout the community BE -7 Transportation Choices: Promote diverse transportation modes, including walking, 20 bicycling, and transit that are safe, low-cost and reduce vehicle miles traveled Table 4: Objectives within Built Environment and their associated points Iowa City achieved 75 out of the 100 total available points in this goal area, scoring highly in BE -2: Community Water Systems, BE -4: Housing Affordability, and BE -6: Public Spaces. There is opportunity for improvement in all areas, but especially in BE -5: Infill & Redevelopment, the lowest performing objective within the Built Environment goal. BE -1: Ambient Noise & Light BE -2: Community Water Systems BE -3: Compact & Complete BE -4: Housing Affordability BE -5: Infill & Redevelopment BE -6: Public Spaces BE-7:Transportation Choices 0 5 10 15 20 Graph 4: Iowa City's Built Environment performance by objective. IN ■ Points Achieved E Points Missed BUILT ENVIRONMENT Objective Analysis BE -I: AMBIENT NOISE & LIGHT 2.4/5 points Iowa City did not submit data for any of the three outcome measures, which ask for communities to meet thresholds for ambient noise, light in the community, and visibility of the night sky. However, the City was able to receive points for action measures such as the passing of noise and light ordinances that the City then enforces. Next steps could include beginning to collect data on ambient noise and light to first identify where to target efforts and then track progress. BE -2: COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEMS 13.5/15 points Full credit was received on three of the four outcomes by meeting national standards for safe drinking water, and demonstrating a secure water supply and sufficient stormwater management. Iowa City received partial credit in the fourth outcome by showing that the wastewater system is in compliance with EPA standards, however, several industrial discharge sites failed to meet the EPA standards. The City also received credit for three action measures, including a $50 million upgrade to the wastewater treatment plantin 2014. This upgrade more than doubled capacity, allowing for increased population and industrial growth and included additional nutrient reduction processes such as total nitrogen and phosphorus removal. BE -3: COMPACT & COMPLETE COMMUNITIES 13.5/20 points In this objective, STAR asks that communities identify a number of areas to analyze as compact and complete communities (defined as walkable %2 mile areas with a variety of uses and transit El accessibility). Based on their population size, Iowa City was required to report on two compact and complete centers and chose the Downtown and Towncrest areas. While these areas did not meet all of the criteria required to receive full credit in the outcome measures, they did receive partial credit for walkability, density, housing affordability, and design. The City also received credit for policies that require street trees and sidewalk standards. To improve, Iowa City could adopt policies that incentivize and increase density in designated compact community areas, establish design standards and review boards for the designated areas to ensure proper development, and include support for compact communities into the comprehensive plan. BE -4: HOUSING AFFORDABILITY 13.7/15 points Iowa City earned credit in two of the three outcomes by meeting thresholds for preservation and construction of affordable housing units. The City supports this work through a variety of policy and programmatic work for example, the Iowa City Housing Authority runs programs to help low-income families, veterans, and the elderly with housing needs. To make further progress on the outcome measures, Iowa City could develop a comprehensive housing strategy and enact policies to better provide transit to low- and moderate - income households. BE -5: INFILL & REDEVELOPMENT 4.0/10 points The City did not receive credit for either of the two outcomes for BE -5, which ask communities Ap P1% BUILT ENVIRONMENT Objective Analysis, continued to demonstrate an increase in infill development and the use of existing infrastructure for new developments. The City did receive points for policies that help to shape and form new growth and the use of incentives such as the tax increment financing enabled by the Towncrest Urban Renewal plan. The City is also targeting investments to revitalize redevelopment and catalyze private reinvestment. For example, the William Streetscape Project and the Towncrest Facade Improvement Program targeted funds toward facade improvemerrts for existing buildings and redevelopment of a large infill site into a multi -tenant medical office building. The Downtown Building Change Program also provides City funds for property owners to improve and restore historic storefront commercial buildings in Downtown Iowa City. Next steps to improve in this objective would be to develop an inventory of infill sites that are ready for development and to support temporary, creative neighborhood uses for vacant properties and greyfields. BE -6: PUBLIC SPACES 13.7/15 points Iowa City scored very well in BE -6 by meeting all four outcome measures. The city has 26 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents, 74.2% of residents live within a % mile walk of a park, 100% of households are within 3 miles of an off-road trail, and 91 % of residents say they visit a park at least once a year. BE -7: TRANSPORTATION CHOICES 14.0/20 points Iowa City received credit for meeting the mode split outcome thresholds for journey-to-work— just under 60% of residents drive alone to work; 29.9% of residents either bike, walk, or take transit; and 20.3% take bike or walk The City has several actions in place that help support these choices, such as the Metropolitan Bicycle Master Plan, a new bike -share program, and the City of Iowa City Complete Streets Policy. BUILT ENVIRONMENT HIGHLIGHTS: • 1 10 affordable housing units have been built or rehabilitated in the past three years in Downtown and Towncrest • 74.22% of Iowa City households are within a %i mile walk to a park • 20.3% of residents either bike or walk to work BUILT ENVIRONMENT 1 1 Comparative Analysis 1 IIr The graphs below show how Iowa City's Built Environment total score and objective scores compare to those from other certified communities. Most communities receive fewer than half the points available in BE -4: Housing Affordability and BE -7: Transportation Choices, but these are the two objectives where Iowa City is in the top 25' percentile. Iowa City lands right at the median score for BE -2: Community Water Systems and BE -6: Public Spaces, which are commonly high scoring objectives. The only objective where Iowa City landed in the bottom 50' percentile is BE -5: Infill and Redevelopment 12 $ ---------------------- IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII ��III1111111111111111111111111111111111111111 �Tfllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll I11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 I11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 0 5 10 IS 20 BE- 1:Ambient Noise & Light HOW --1 2.4 BE -2: Community Water Systems 13.5 BE -3: Compact & Complete Communities 13.5 BE -4: Housing Affordability 13.7 BE -5: Infill & Redevelopment 4.1 BE -6: Public Spaces 13.7 BE-7:Transportation Choices 14.1 Graph 6: Iowa City's objective scores for the Built Environment, as indicated by diamonds, overlaid on top of the combined percentile scores of all certified communities. 010 114 CLIMATE Ro M Z M 0 CLIMATE & ENERGY Overview The seven objectives in STAR's Climate & Energy goal area aim to reduce climate impacts and increase resource efficiency in order to create safer and healthier communities. OBJECTIVE PURPOSE & INTENT AVAILABLE POINTS CE -I Climate Adaptation: Strengthen the resilience of communities to .climate change 15 impacts on built, natural, economic, and social systems CE -2 Greenhouse Gas Mitigation: Achieve greenhouse gas emissions reductions 20 throughout the community Greening the Energy Supply: Transition the local energy supply for both CE -3 transportation and non-mobile sources toward the use of renewable, less carbon- 15 intensive, and less toxic alternatives CE -4 Industrial Sector Resource Efficiency: Minimize resource use and demand in the 10 industrial sector as a means to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and conserve water CE -5 Resource Efficient Buildings: Improve the energy and water efficiency of the 15 community's residential, commercial, and institutional building stock Resource Efficient Public Infrastructure: Minimize resource use and demand in CE -6 local public infrastructure as a means to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and 10 conserve water CE -7 Waste Minimization: Reduce and reuse material waste produced in the community 15 Table 5: Objectives within Climate & Energy and their associated points Iowa City achieved 40.7 out of the 100 total available points in Climate & Energy, making this Iowa City's lowest performing goal area. CE -4: Industrial Sector Resource Efficiency, CE -5: Resource Efficient Buildings, and CE -6: Resource Efficient Public Infrastructure were the lowest scoring objectives. Around half of the available points were received in CE -I: Climate Adaptation, CE -3: Greening the Energy Supply, and CE -7: Waste Minimization. CE -1: Climate Adaptation CE -2: Greenhouse Gas Mitigation CE -3: Greening the Energy Supply CEA: Industrial Sector Resource Efficiency CE -5: Resource Efficient Buildings CE -6: Resource Efficient Public Infrastructure CE-7:Waste Minimization 0 5 10 15 20 Graph 7: Iowa City's Climate & Energy performance by objective. 13 ■ Points Achieved • Points Missed AIA CLIMATE & ENERGY Objective Analysis CE -I: CLIMATE ADAPTATION 8.2/15 points The primary climate adaptation concern in Iowa City is increased flooding, which threatens infrastructure, homes, and roads. Iowa City submitted several action measures that address this concem, such as the Flood Buyout Program that removes homes from the floodplain and the Stormwater Assistance Program that funds green infrastructure to mitigate flood risks. In the future, the City could consider adopting a climate adaptation plan to consolidate the ongoing efforts and create a strategic path forward. CE -2: GREENHOUSE GAS MITIGATION 7.6/20 points While Iowa City has seen large decreases in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in recent years, the City was unable to meet the outcome measure that requires showing a trend line towards achieving an 80% reduction in GHG emissions by 2050. A next step could be to adopt a climate action plan that includes specific strategies for decreasing GHG emissions. This could include educating the public and business community, incorporating GHG emissions accounting into all government decisions, and creating a climate change advisory group. CE -3: GREENING THE ENERGY SUPPLY 8.5/15 points By demonstrating increased ownership in alternative fuel vehicles and a decrease in the overall percentage of residents who own vehicles, Iowa City received partial credit in the first outcome. In addition, the City demonstrated that 14 35.97% of the overall energy supply comes from renewable energy sources. To improve further, the City could adopt a community -wide plan to adopt renewables and lead by example by setting targets for renewable energy and alternative fuel usage for municipal buildings and vehicles. CE -4: INDUSTRIAL SECTOR RESOURCE EFFICIENCY 0.9/10 points This objective focuses on industrial operations, defined as processes used to transform resources into goods, including manufacturing, construction, energy production, and agriculture. The outcome measures in CE -4 ask for a community to demonstrate energy and water efficiency increases in the industrial sector. Iowa City was unable to demonstrate this in either outcome. The City did receive credit for implementing the 2012 Intemational Energy Conservation Code, which was adopted at the state level and is maintained locally. Next steps could be to partner and work collaboratively with industrial sector leaders, enhance tracking mechanisms, set targets, and implement strategies for water and energy reduction. CE -5: RESOURCE EFFICIENT BUILDINGS 4.7/15 points The objective focuses on improving the energy and water efficiency of the community's residential, commercial, and institutional building stock Iowa City received partial credit for one of (the CLIMATE & ENERGY Objective Analysis, continued three CE -5 outcomes by demonstrating a small increase in green certified non-residential buildings. The City is also promoting resource efficiency through programs like the Energy Efficiency Program, which completes 20-35 rehabilitation projects annually. Also, when replacing major heating or air conditioning systems, the City requires energy efficient HVAC systems. To improve, the city could create incentives for constructing green buildings and adopt a building energy efficiency plan to improve the energy and water efficiency of commercial, residential, and institutional buildings in the community. CE -6: RESOURCE EFFICIENT PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE 2/10 points CE -6 deals with resource use in local public infrastructure, such as landfills, power plants, public transit systems, waste and water facilities, and streetlights and traffic signals. The City only applied for credit in one measure. In responding to Action 9: Make specific upgrades to infrastructure systems that will increase energy and water efficiency, Iowa City received credit for replacing 300 streetlights with LEDs. The City plans on eventually replacing all 3,500 lights in the jurisdiction. To improve further, the city could develop targeted strategies for improving resource efficiency in public infrastructure and adopt codes that increase this efficiency. CE -7: WASTE MINIMIZATION 4.7/15 points Iowa City received credit for completing seven of the nine available action measures, including actions such as incentivizing roofers to recycle shingles and providing curbside recycling. To reduce waste further, the city could adopt a waste management plan that sets strategic targets for local waste minimization and diversion. CLIMATE & ENERGY HIGHLIGHTS: • 35.97% of Iowa City's energy comes from renewable resources • The City has replaced 300 streetlights with LED bulbs and plans to switch all 3,500 lights over the next few years. is itA CLIMATE & ENERGY Comparative Analysis The graphs below show how Iowa City's Climate & Energy total score and objective scores compare to those from other certified communities. The only objective where Iowa City's score fell in the top 25' percentile is CE- I: Climate Adaptation. Iowa City fell in the bottom 50' percentile of all communities in CE -2: Greenhouse Gas Mitigation, CE -4: Industrial Sector Resource Efficiency, CE -5: Resource Efficient Buildings, CE -6 Resource Efficient Public Infrastructure, and CE -7: Waste Minimization. These all represent areas for significant improvement IM 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Graph 8: Iowa City's Climate & Energy total score in red, as compared to all Certified STAR Communities. 0 5 10 15 20 CE -1: Climate Adaptation 8.2 CE -2: Greenhouse Gas Mitigation 110 7.6 CE -3: Greening the Energy Supply 8.5 CE -4: Industrial Sector Resource Efficiency 0.9 CE -5: Resource Efficient Buildings CE -6: Resource Efficient Public Infrastructure CE -7: Waste Minimization Graph 9: Iowa City's objective scores for Climate & Energy, as indicated by diamonds, overlaid on top of the combined percentile scores of all certified communities. K 4.7 2.0 8.7 Graph 9: Iowa City's objective scores for Climate & Energy, as indicated by diamonds, overlaid on top of the combined percentile scores of all certified communities. K ECONOMY ECONOMY & JOBS Overview The six objectives of STAR's Economy & jobs goal area work together to promote equitably shared prosperity and access to quality jobs. OBJECTIVE PURPOSE & INTENT AVAILABLE POINTS Business Retention & Development: Foster economic prosperity and stability EJ- I by retaining and expanding businesses with support from the business 20 community EJ -2 Green Market Development: Increase overall market demand for products Is and services that protect the environment EJ -3 Local Economy: Create an increasingly self-reliant community through o robust 15 local economy with benefits shared by all Quality Jobs & Living Wages: Expand job opportunities that support upward EJ -4 economic mobility and provide sufficient wages so that working people and 20 their families can afford a decent standard of Irving EJ -5 Targeted Industry Development: Increase local competitiveness by Is strengthening networks of businesses, suppliers, and associated institutions Workforce Readiness: Prepare the workforce for successful employment EJ -6 through increasing attainment of post -secondary education and improving Is outcomes of workforce develobment broerams Table 6: Objectives within Economy & Jobs and their associated points Iowa City achieved 68.6 out of the available 100 points for the Economy & Jobs goal area. The City performed exceptionally well in EJ- I: Business Retention & Development, receiving full credit for the objective. There is opportunity for improvement in all other objectives, especially EJ -2: Green Market Development, EJ -4: Quality Jobs & Living Wages, and EJ -6: Workforce Readiness. EJ -I: Business Retention & Development EJ -2: Green Market Development EJ -3: Local Economy EJ -4: Quality Jobs & Living Wages EJ-S:Targeted Industry Development EJ-6:Workforce Readiness 0 5 10 15 20 Graph 10: Iowa City's Economy & Jobs performance by objective. 17 E Points Achieved 0 Points Missed �� 0 ECONOMY & JOBS Objective Analysis EJ -I: BUSINESS RETENTION & DEVELOPMENT 20/20 points Iowa City received full credit in EJ -1 by meeting the thresholds in the three outcome measures. The City demonstrated an increase in employment, total sales, and the number of local businesses established in recent years. The City also met eight of the nine action measures. EJ -2: GREEN MARKET DEVELOPMENT 9.1/15 points Iowa City received full credit in the first outcome, Community Resource Efficiency, by demonstrating a 25.1% decrease in GHG intensity over time. Partial credit was achieved in outcome 2 by showing a small increase in the construction of non-residential green buildings and in outcome 3 by showing an increase in fuel-efficient and alternative fuel vehicle ownership. While the City does have an economic development strategy currently in place, it could consider adding a green market development component to the plan. They City could also consider leading by example by adopting a green purchasing policy. EJ -3: LOCAL ECONOMY 12.6/15 points Iowa City met the thresholds for both outcome measures by showing that 51.6% of import sectors have increasing location quotients over the past 3 years and that deposits to local financial institutions increased 23.3% over the past three years. This strong performance is supported by actions such as the Downtown Iowa City Market Niche Analysis project and the 'Buy Here' educational programs. E To improve, the City could adopt a policy to buy locally produced goods and incentivize other anchor institutions to do the same. EJ -4: QUALITY JOBS & LIVING WAGES 6.7/20 points Iowa City did not meet either of the two outcome measures in EJ -4, which ask communities to increase real median household income over time and demonstrate that 80% of households meet or exceed the living wage standard. The City received credit for education and outreach efforts that support living wage campaigns in the community, and for job training and assistance programs for employees and employers in professions or sectors where wages are below the living wage. There are several steps the City could consider to improve in this goal area such as adopting a living wage policy and putting into place family friendly workplace policies for government employees. EJ -5: TARGETED INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT 12.6/15 points Iowa City identified three targeted industries in which to demonstrate progress for the outcome measures: professional scientific and technical services, educational services, and manufacturing. All three industries showed an increase in the number of businesses and the number of employees in the three years of the reporting period. Several action steps have been taken to support these targeted industries. Surveys such as the 2014 Regional Existing Industry Report help the 0 ECONOMY & )OBS Objective Analysis, continued 0 City to better understand what resources are needed and to be strategic about policy and program planning and decisions. EJ -6: WORKFORCE READINESS 7.6/1 S points Iowa City received credit for one of the two outcome measures by demonstrating a 78% completion rate for the GAP Tuition Assistance and Kirkwood Pathways for Academic Career Education and Training (KPACE). Programs at Kirkwood Community College and groups like Iowa's Creative Corridor Regional Workforce Planning Committee support the progress in workforce readiness outcomes. To improve in this objective, Iowa City could adopt a workforce development strategy, align economic development goals with workforce training, and invest and expand workforce training in local community college programs. ECONOMY & JOBS HIGHLIGHTS: • Over 150 businesses were created in Iowa City from 2011-2013 • 25.1 % decrease in Greenhouse Gas Intensity from 2008-2013 N ECONOMY & JOBS Comparative Analysis The graphs below show how Iowa City's Economy & Jobs total score and objective scores compare to those from other certified communities. Iowa City fell in the top 25' percentile for EJ -3: Local Economy and EJ -4: Quality Jobs & Living Wages, two areas that communities often score low in. Despite the comparatively high score, there is still room to improve in EJ -4, as well as in EJ -2: Green Market Development and EJ -6: Workforce Readiness. 100 80 60 40 20 Graph 11: Iowa City's Economy & Jobs total score in red, as compared to all Certified STAR Communities. 10 15 20 EJ- I: Business Retention & Development 20.0 EJ -2: Green Market Development 9.1 EJ -3: Local Economy 12.6 EJ -4: Quality Jobs & Living Wages 6.7 EJ-S:Targeted Industry Development 30000005-4 12.6 EJ-6:Workforce Readiness 7.6 Graph 12: Iowa City's objective scores for Economy & jobs, as indicated by diamonds, overlaid on top of the combined percentile scores of all certified communities. 20 44 1 EDUCATION,ARTS EDUCATION, ARTS & COMMUNITY Overview The five objectives of STAR'S Education, Arts & Community goal area promote an educated, cohesive, and socially connected community. OBJECTIVE PURPOSE & INTENT AVAILABLE POINTS EAC- I Arts & Culture: Provide a broad range of arts and cultural resources and 15 activities that encourage participation and creative self-expression Community Cohesion: Ensure a cohesive, connected community through EAC -2 adequate venues for community interaction, community building activities and 15 events, and the sharing of information about community issues and services EAC -3 Educational Opportunity & Attainment: Achieve equitable attainment of o 20 quality education for individuals from birth to adulthood Historic Preservation: Preserve and reuse historic structures and sites to EAC -4 retain local, regional, and notional history and heritage, reinforce community 10 character, and conserve resources EAC -5 Social & Cultural Diversity: Celebrate and respect diversity and represent 10 diverse perspectives in community decision -mowing Table 7: Objectives within Education, Arts & Community and their associated points Iowa City achieved 65.3 out of the 70 possible points in Education, Arts & Community, which represents 93% of the available points. The City performed well across the board, and received full credit in EAC -2: Community Cohesion and EAC -3: Educational Opportunity & Attainment EAC -4: Historic Preservation offers the most room for improvement. EAC- 1:Arts & Culture EAC -2: Community Cohesion EAC -3: Educational Opportunity & Attainment EACH: Historic Preservation EAC -5: Social & Cultural Diversity 0 5 10 15 20 ■ Points Achieved ■ Points Missed Graph 13: Iowa City's Education, Arts & Community performance by objective. F1 EDUCATION, ARTS & COMMUNITY Objective Analysis EAC- I: ARTS & CULTURE 14.4/15 points Iowa City received full credit in outcome one by demonstrating that 5% of the businesses in the community are in the creative industries and partial credit in outcome two by showing that 59% of adults attend a live performing arts event annually. The City supports the arts community through initiatives such as the Old Capitol Cultural District and Iowa River District and by working with the Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance and the Summer of the Arts program. To improve, the city could adopt a percent -for -art ordinance. EAC -2: COMMUNITY COHESION 15/15 points Full credit was received in this objective by achieving one of the outcomes and all ten local actions. 100% of Iowa City residents live within a mile of a community venue. The actions included zoning changes that created hundreds of community gardens including the 36 plots at Chadik Paris, structurally and financially supporting the Iowa City Neighborhood Council, and education efforts performed by the Office of Neighborhood Outreach. EAC -3: EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY & ATTAINMENT 20/20 points Iowa City received full credit for this objective by meeting the thresholds in the graduation rate and graduation rate equity outcome measures. The City also met all eight action measures, by creating an inclusive community in the school system through the Comprehensive School Improvement Plan Advisory Committee, providing several after school and summer programs for youth, and providing alternative pathways to graduation. EAC -4: HISTORIC PRESERVATION 6.2/10 points EACH was the lowest performing objective in this goal area, although Iowa City still received over half of the available points. The City's commitment to historic preservation is seen through its eight historic districts. Actions such as the 2008 Iowa City Historic Preservation Plan and the Historic Distinct and Conservation District Overiay are important components to support this work To improve, the City could track data to show the economic impact of historic preservation and provide financial assistance to low-income households facing rising housing costs. EAC -5: SOCIAL & CULTURAL DIVERSITY 9.7/10 points Iowa City received credit for outcome one by providing examples of ten local events that celebrate different social/cultural groups. The City also received credit for eight of the nine actions, such as the 2013 City of Iowa City Equity Report EDUCATION, ARTS & COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS: 22 • 100% of residents live within one mile of a community venue • Over 140 community garden plots are available to residents in parks and other locations around the City EDUCATION, ARTS & COMMUNITY Comparative Analysis The graphs below show how Iowa City's Education, Arts & Community total and objective scores compare to those from other certified communities. Iowa City received the second highest overall EAC score of all communities and scored in the top 25' percentile in four of the five objectives in this goal area. Iowa City's EAC -4: Historic Preservation score fell just below the median score and thus represents the area with the highest opportunity for improvement 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 Graph 14: Iowa City's Education, Arts & Community total score in blue, as compared to all Certified STAR Communities. 10 15 20 EAC -1: Arts & Culture 14.4 EAC -2: Community Cohesion 15.0 EAC -3: Educational Opportunity & Attainment 20.0 EACA: Historic Preservation 6.2 EAC -5: Social & Cultural Diversity 9.7 Graph 15: Iowa City's objective scores for Education, Arts & Community, as indicated by diamonds, overlaid on top of the combined percentile scores of all certified communities. PW MAP K EQUITY & x EQUITY & EMPOWERMENT o Overview I M 3 M The six objectives in STAR'S Equity & Empowerment goal area promote equity, Zinclusion, and access to opportunity for all residents. OBJECTIVE PURPOSE & INTENT AVAILABLE POINTS EE- I Civic Engagement: Improve community well-being through participation in Is local decision-making and volunteering with community organizations EE -2 Civil & Human Rights: Promote the full enjoyment of civil and human rights 10 for all residents in the community Environmental Justice: Reduce polluted and toxic environments with an EE -3 emphasis on alleviating disproportionate health hazards in areas where low- Is income residents and persons of color live EE -4 Equitable Services & Access: Ensure equitable access to foundational 20 community assets within and between neighborhoods and populations Human Services: Ensure high quality human services programs are available EE -S and utilized to guarantee basic human needs so that all residents lead lives of 20 dignity. Poverty Prevention & Alleviation: Prevent people from falling into poverty EE -6 and proactively enable those who are living in poverty to obtain greater, lasting 20 economic stabilitv and security Table 8: Objectives within Equity & Empowerment and their associated points Iowa City achieved 57.8 out of 100 points in Equity & Empowerment. Most points came from the process -based objectives of EE -I: Civic Engagement and EE -2: Civil & Human Rights. All other objectives offer significant opportunity for Iowa City to improve. EE- I: Civic Engagement EE -2: Civil & Human Rights EE -3: Environmental Justice EE -4: Equitable Services & Access EE -5: Human Services EE -6: Poverty Prevention & Alleviation 0 5 10 15 20 Graph 16: Iowa City's Equity & Empowerment performance by objective. 24 ■ Points Achieved • Points Missed EQUITY & EMPOWERMENT Objective Analysis EE -I: CIVIC ENGAGEMENT 12.6/15 points Over 40% of Iowa City residents volunteered in 2013, which demonstrated a commitment to volunteerism and met the threshold for outcome two. The City also completed eight of the nine action measures, receiving credit for policies that encourage diversity on local boards, training public employees on racial equity, and providing volunteer opportunities such as the Iowa City Stormwater Volunteer Program. EE -2: CIVIL & HUMAN RIGHTS 10/10 points Iowa City received full credit in EE -2 by meeting the outcome measure that asks communities to demonstrate that all civil and human rights complaints in the jurisdiction have been addressed in a timely and appropriate manner. The City also received credit for all seven action measures. Iowa City has long been committed to civil and human rights and was one of the first communities in Iowa to establish a Human Rights Office in 1963. This commitment is reflected in the City's code in Title 2, which provides a mechanism for redressing civil rights violations in the areas of employment, public accommodation, credit, education, and housing for protected classes. EE -3: ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE 0/ 15 points Iowa City did not pursue any of the measures in EE -3. The city should begin by assessing whether there are any brownfelds or other sites in the community with disproportionate health impacts on low-income populations or people of color. 041 If there are environmental justice sites present in the community, the City could form an Environmental Justice Collaborative Group to determine, assess, and develop strategies to address each of the specific sites. In addition, the City might work with state agencies to address the pollution ortoxins present. EE -4: EQUITABLE SERVICES & ACCESS 11.7/20 points The intent of EE -4 is to demonstrate that all populations and neighborhoods have equitable access to vital services and community assets. Iowa City did not submit for the outcome measure of this objective, which requires a spatial analysis of services and assets, but they did receive credit for six of the eight actions. Key programs and collaborations, such as those in the Iowa City Library Outreach Program with the Iowa City Community School District and the Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County, help to increase access to important services. In addition, Resolution 15-57 commits the City to ensure inclusive outreach and engagement with all of the community for public processes. EE -5: HUMAN SERVICES 10.9/20 points Iowa City received credit in this objective for community efforts such as the Hunger Task Force and other educational programs. There is opportunity to improve in this objective; a first step could be to conduct a community needs assessment to establish a baseline of populations and needs. This assessment could then be used to develop a plan and policies to improve access to and quality of human services. EQUITY & EMPOWERMENT Objective Analysis, continued EE -6: POVERTY PREVENTION & ALLEVIATION 12.6/20 points Iowa City did not submit data for the two outcome measures, which ask communities to show a reduction in poverty over time in the broader community and then within certain priority population subgroups. However, the City did receive credit for six of the seven available action measures. Actions being taken in Iowa City include the Johnson County Local Coordinating Board, a partnership between public, private, and faith leaders that works to reduce poverty. In addition, the Johnson County General Assistance and Interim Assistance Reimbursement Programs provide short-term monetary help to residents not eligible for other government programs who are in extreme financial crisis. These programs have helped over 650 individuals in the past three years. EQUITY & EMPOWERMENT HIGHLIGHTS: • Over 40% of Iowa City residents volunteered in 2013 • Iowa City was one of the first communities in Iowa to establish a Human Rights Office in 1963 • Over 650 individuals have received assistance in the past 3 years through the Johnson County General Assistance and Interim Assistance Reimbursement Programs 26 EQUITY & EMPOWERMENT Comparative Analysis The box -and -whisker graph below shows how Iowa City's Equity & Empowerment objective scores compare to those from other certified communities. This is a goal area that many communities struggle with, but as the graph below shows, Iowa City has the 4' highest point total out of all certified communities. Iowa City is in the top 25' percentile in EE -I: Civic Engagement, EE -2: Civil & Human Rights, and EE -4: Equitable Services & Access. There is opportunity for improvement across the board, especially in EE -3: Environmental justice. 100 80 60 40 20 0 Graph 17: Iowa City's Equity & Empowerment total score in red, as compared to all Certified STAR Communities. 0 5 10 15 20 EE -1: Civic Engagement 12.6 EE -2: Civil & Human Rights 10.0 EE -3: Environmental justice 0.0 EE -4: Equitable Services & Access 11.7 EE -5: Human Services 10.9 EE -6: Poverty Prevention & Alleviation 12.6 Graph 18: Iowa Qty's objective scores for Equity & Empowerment, as indicated by diamonds, overlaid on top of the combined percentile scores of all certified communities. r 27 — �,� HEALTH & HEALTH & SAFETY Overview The seven objectives in STAR's Health & Safety goal area recognize that the development of healthy, safe, and resilient communities requires proactive efforts to prevent disease, injury, and premature death by fortifying protective factors and reducing risk factors that undermine healthy outcomes. OBJECTIVE PURPOSE & INTENT AVAILABLE POINTS HS -1 Active Living: Enable adults and kids to maintain healthy, active lifestyles by 15 integrating physical activity into their daily routines Community Health & Health System: Achieve positive health outcomes and HS -2 minimize health risk factors through a high quality local health care system that is 20 accessible and responsive to community needs Emergency Prevention & Response: Reduce harm to humans and property by HS -3 utilizing long-term preventative and collaborative approaches to avoid emergency Is incidents and minimize their impacts Food Access & Nutrition: Ensure that adults and children of all income levels have HS -4 opportunities to learn about nutritious eating and have physical and economic access Is to fresh, healthful food HS -5 Indoor Air Quality: Ensure that indoor air quality is healthy for all people. 5 Natural & Human Hazards: Reduce vulnerability to all hazards, secure cnticol HS -6 infrastructure, and ensure that communities are prepared to effectively respond to and is recover from crisis. HS -7 Safe Communities: Prevent and reduce violent crime and increase perceptions of 15 safety through interagency collaboration and with residents as empowered partners Iowa City achieved 77.5 out of 100 available points in the Health & Safety goal area. The City scored well in multiple objectives, including HS -I: Active Living, HS -2: Community Health & Health Systems, HS -3: Emergency Prevention & Response, and HS -7: Safe Communities. HS -I: Active Living HS -2: Community Health & Health System HS -3: Emergency Prevention & Response HS -4: Food Access & Nutrition HS -5: Indoor -Air Quality HS -6: Natural & Human Hazards HS -7: Safe Communities 0 5 10 15 20 Graph 19: Iowa City's Health & Safety performance by objective. W • Points Achieved • Points Missed HEALTH & SAFETY Objective Analysis HS -I: ACTIVE LIVING 14.1/15 points Iowa City met the STAR threshold in one of the two outcomes by demonstrating that only 83% of adults reported leisure time physical activity in the past month, exceeding the 79% threshold. Regulatory strategies such as the City's Complete Street Policy and End of Trip Facilities Policy make walking and biking in the community easier by ensuring there are facilities for these activities. HS -2: COMMUNITY HEALTH & HEALTH SYSTEMS 16.8/20 points Full or partial credit was received on all four outcome measures, contributing to Iowa City's high performance in HS -2. Outcomes 1-3 ask the community to demonstrate it is a Top U.S. Performer for Health Outcomes, Health Behavior, and Clinical Care. The fourth outcome asks that at least one hospital be recognized by the joint commission as a top performer—Mercy Hospital met this criteria. To support this progress, Iowa City performed its first community health needs assessment in 2010, and then used the results to guide the development of a Health Improvement Plan. Every year, the assessment is updated by the Johnson County Public Health Department, which collaborates with community groups such as the Alliance for Healthy Living to address specific health issues like obesity. HS -3: EMERGENCY PREVENTION & RESPONSE 12.5/15 points Iowa City's emergency services are committed to protecting their citizens and this is seen in an ISO Class 2 rating for fire protection. The City of Iowa City Emergency Operations Plan adopted in 2012 supports and coordinates the efforts made by the City's emergency services. The City also works with entities outside its jurisdiction through partnerships with the Iowa Mutual Aid Compact and the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency Commission. HS -4: FOOD ACCESS & NUTRITION 10.2/15 points Iowa City is actively working to increase access to fresh food for its residents a d was able to demonstrate process in three of the four outcome measures. The City demonstrated a 0.22% increase in residents within A mile walk to a fresh food market and that 100% of farmers markets accept WIC or SNAP. There are also 146 community gardens in the jurisdiction. The City has removed barriers to access fresh fruits and vegetables through two zoning adjustments: Farmers Markets in Public Zones and Rural Residential Zones. To move further in this objective, the City could consider adopting menu labeling regulations or providing incentives for healthful retail food outlets or mobile vendors to locate in underserved areas. HS -5: INDOOR AIR QUALITY 1.6/5 points Iowa City did not submit for either of the two outcome measures, which ask communities to address indoor air quality complaints in schools and the broader community. The City does have some actions in place such as the Smokefree Air Act, an Indoor Air Quality code that allows landlords to create smoke free rooms, and free radon kits provided by Johnson County Public Health. 29 AA HEALTH & SAFETY Objective Analysis, continued To improve in this objective, the City could begin to track indoor air quality complaints and how they are addressed. HS -6: NATURAL & HUMAN HAZARDS 7.27/15 points The main hazard that Iowa City faces is flooding; in recent years, steps have been taken to secure homes and critical infrastructure from this hazard. The number of buildings and critical infrastructure located in high flood risk zones that were below code standards has decreased in recent years. 154 homes and 10 pieces of critical infrastructure have been upgraded since 2008. To improve, the City could integrate hazard planning in all local plans and adopt zoning to limit development in high hazard areas. HS -7: SAFE COMMUNITIES 15/15 points. Iowa City received full credit in this objective by meeting both outcomes. The city demonstrated that violent crime rates and school violence rates are below nationally established thresholds. HEALTH & SAFETY HIGHLIGHTS: 901 • 83% of adults report leisure time physical activity in the past month • 100% of farmers markets accept WIC or SNAP and there are 146 community gardens in the jurisdiction • Iowa City has made major steps to remove homes and infrastructure from flood hazard zones since 2008-154 homes and 10 pieces of critical infrastructure HEALTH & SAFETY Comparative Analysis The graphs below show how Iowa City's Health & Safety total score and objective scores compare to those from other certified communities. No objective scores fell in the bottom 50P percentile of scores. Two objectives had scores in the top 251h percentile: HS -I: Active Living and HS -7: Safe Communities. There is some room for improvement in most objectives. 100 80 60 40 20 0 Graph 20: Iowa City's Health & Safety total score in blue, as compared to all Certified STAR Communities. 0 5 10 15 20 HS-I:Active Living 14.1 HS -2: Community Health & Health System 16.8 HS -3: Emergency Prevention & Response HS -4: Food Access & Nutrition HS -5: Indoor Air Quality 1.6 HS -6: Natural & Human Hazards 7.3 HS -7: Safe Communities 15.0 Graph 21: Iowa City's objective scores for Health & Safety, as indicated by diamonds, overlaid on top of the combined percentile scores of all certified communities. MU ASA 12.5 10.2 HS -5: Indoor Air Quality 1.6 HS -6: Natural & Human Hazards 7.3 HS -7: Safe Communities 15.0 Graph 21: Iowa City's objective scores for Health & Safety, as indicated by diamonds, overlaid on top of the combined percentile scores of all certified communities. MU ASA NATURAL, NATURAL SYSTEMS Overview The six objectives in the Natural Systems goal area help communities protect and restore the places that provide resources to support life. The goal area takes an ecosystem services approach and recognizes the wide range of benefits natural systems provide, such as food, water, and natural regulating processes affecting climate and floods. OBJECTIVE PURPOSE & INTENT AVAILABLE POINTS Table 10: Objectives within Natural Systems and their associated points. Iowa City achieved 59 of the 100 available points in Natural Systems goal area The City did very well in NS -I: Green Infrastructure and NS -4: Outdoor Air Quality. Other objectives, such as NS -2: Invasive Species and NS -6: Working Lands offer plenty of room for improvement. NS -1: Green Infrastructure NS -2: Invasive Species NS -3: Natural Resource Protection NS -4: Outdoor Air Quality NS-S:Water in the Environment NS -6: Working Lands 0 5 10 15 20 Graph 22: Iowa City's Natural Systems performance by objective. 32 ■ Points Achieved ■ Points Missed Green Infrastructure: Design and maintain o network of green infrastructure NS- I features that integrate with the built environment to conserve ecosystem 20 functions and provide associated benefits to human populations NS -2 Invasive Species: Prevent and manage invasive species in order to restore and 10 protect natural ecosystems and the benefits they provide Natural Resource Protection: Protect, enhance and restore natural NS -3 ecosystems and cultural landscapes to confer resilience and support clean 20 water and air, food supply, and public safety NS -4 Outdoor Air Quality: Ensure that outdoor air quality is healthy for all people 15 and protects the welfare of the community NS -5 Water in the Environment: Protect and restore the biological, chemical, and 20 hydrological integrity of water in the natural environment NS -6 Working Lands: Conserve and maintain lands that provide raw materials in 15 ways that allow for sustained harvests and preserves ecosystem integrity Table 10: Objectives within Natural Systems and their associated points. Iowa City achieved 59 of the 100 available points in Natural Systems goal area The City did very well in NS -I: Green Infrastructure and NS -4: Outdoor Air Quality. Other objectives, such as NS -2: Invasive Species and NS -6: Working Lands offer plenty of room for improvement. NS -1: Green Infrastructure NS -2: Invasive Species NS -3: Natural Resource Protection NS -4: Outdoor Air Quality NS-S:Water in the Environment NS -6: Working Lands 0 5 10 15 20 Graph 22: Iowa City's Natural Systems performance by objective. 32 ■ Points Achieved ■ Points Missed 19 NATURAL SYSTEMS Objective Analysis NS -1: GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE 18.4/20 points Iowa City met both outcome measures by demonstrating that 41.35% of the City's land area provides a green infrastructure benefit and that 93% of residents live within a Y2 -mile walk distance from a green infrastructure feature. The City also received credit for over half of the action measures. One action that could help to guide and solidify the ongoing green infrastructure work is the development and adoption of a green infrastructure plan. NS -2: INVASIVE SPECIES 1.68/10 points No outcome measures were pursued in NS -2, which ask communities to track and report data for invasive species prevention, containment, and eradication. The City does have an invasive species management plan, but it only focuses on natural areas and not the community as a whole. To improve, the City could adopt a more robust and comprehensive invasive species plan, educate residents about the importance of using native plants, and adopt a native plant ordinance. NS -3: NATURAL RESOURCE PROTECTION 8.3/20 points Iowa City did not submit data for any of the outcome measures that ask communities to set preservation targets for natural areas, to preserve wetlands, to connect existing natural areas, and to restore natural areas. In 2016, the City adopted the Iowa City Natural Areas Inventory, Management Needs, and Assessment, which surveys and outlines the City's 33 natural areas and details how to properly maintain them. This is an important component to protecting natural areas and tracking progress in restoring and maintaining the City's natural areas. NS -4: OUTDOOR AIR QUALITY 15/15 points The City received full credit in this objective by meeting the one outcome that asks communities to achieve attainment or maintenance status for all measured criteria pollutants. The thresholds are set by the EPA and are for pollutants such as lead, carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter. NS -5: WATER IN THE ENVIRONMENT 15.6/20 points Iowa City met the hydrological integrity outcome measure that asks communities to demonstrate they do not withdraw more water than enters the primary water source annually, but the City did not meet STAR standards for biological or chemical integrity of the water bodies. Credit was received in seven in the eight actions. The City could consider developing and adopting a watershed management plan to address the needs of the community's water bodies and strategically improve their health. NS -6: WORKING LANDS 0/ IS points Iowa City did not submit data for any of the outcome or action measures. The City did not see this objective as an area that applies to their jurisdiction. STAR is a national rating system and sometimes there are areas that will not apply to a community. NATURAL SYSTEMS Objective Analysis, continued NATURAL SYSTEMS HIGHLIGHTS: 39 • 41.35 % of Iowa City's land cover serves a green infrastructure function • Iowa City is in attainment for all of the criteria pollutant standards set by the EPA NATURAL SYSTEMS Comparative Analysis The graphs below show how Iowa City's Natural Systems total score and objective scores compare to those from other certified communities. Iowa City scored in the top 25`h percentile in NS -I: Green Infrastructure and NS -4: Outdoor Air Quality. There is significant opportunity for improvement in the three objectives where Iowa City scored in the bottom 50' percentile of all certified communities: NS - 2: Invasive Species, NS -3: Natural Resource Protection, and NS -6: Working Lands. 100 80 60 40 20 Graph 23: Iowa City's Natural Systems total score in red, as compared to all Certified STAR Communities. 10 IS 20 NS -I: Green Infrastructure 18.4 NS -2: Invasive Species 1.7 NS -3: Natural Resource Protection 8.3 NS -4: Outdoor Air Quality 15.0 NS-5:Water in the Environment 15.6 NS -6: Working Lands 0.0 Graph 24: Iowa City's objective scores for Natural Systems, as indicated by diamonds, overlaid on top of the combined percentile scores of all certified communities. 35 INNOVATION ru 10 X O n M H y I INNOVATION & PROCESS Overview The Innovation & Process category is an avenue for discovering emerging and leading edge practices that communities are implementing to improve sustainability outcomes. OBJECTIVE PURPOSE & INTENT AVAILABLE POINTS Best Practices & Process: Recognize important local government practices IP -I and processes that underpin the implementation of sustainability measures and 10 accelerate community scale achievement across STAR goal areas Exemplary Performance: Reward performance in community level outcome IP -2 measures that significantly exceeds the evaluation criteria established by the 10 existing STAR Community Rating System Local Innovation: Encourage and reward creative, effective approaches to IP -3 enhancing a community's environmental, social and/or economic sustainability 25 Ab not reflected in existing STA p : 8 Iy . r evaluation measures Regional Priorities: Encourage coordinated regional action on the IP -4 sustainability issues of greatest importance to the region in which the 5 jurisdiction resides Table 11: Thematic areas within Innovation & Process and associated points. Iowa City achieved 41 of the 50 available points by receiving credit in all four Innovation & Process credit areas, but especially by achieving full credit in Local Innovation and Regional Priorities. 0 5 10 Best Practices & Processes 5.0 Exemplary Performance 6.0 15 20 25 Local Innovation 25.0 Regional Priorities 5.0 Graph 25: Iowa City's Innovation & Process scores. 36 INNOVATION & PROCESS Objective Analysis • IP -I: BEST PRACTICES & PROCESS 5/10 points IP -I looks for best practices and innovative strategies in comprehensive planning, public engagement, and codes and ordinances. Iowa City received credit by demonstrating the City's codes and ordinances utilize best practices and support progress in STAR's outcome measures. The main example provided demonstrates how the Riverfront Crossings Plan first created a vision for a mixed-use and high-density neighborhood and then became a part of the code through the adoption of Riverfront Crossings Form Based Code in 2014. This follow through, as well as strong ordinances that support sustainability, helped the City to earn five points in IP -I. IP -2: EXEMPLARY PERFORMANCE 6/10 points IP -2 aims to reward communities for going above and beyond the national standards required by the STAR outcome measures. Iowa City submitted their exemplary perronnance in HS -3: Emergency Prevention & Response's Superior Fire Protection outcome measure for credit The outcome asks for communities to achieve an ISO Rating of 4 or higher. Iowa City has an ISO Class 2 rating. In addition to this rating, the Fire Department was awarded Accredited Agency Status by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI). 37 IP -3: LOCAL INNOVATION 25/25 points The intent of IP -3 is for communities to submit new or innovative evaluation measures and methodologies that could eventually fit into the STAR framework. Iowa City submitted six new measures under IP - 3: four actions, one outcome, and one objective. Two actions fall under the Equity and Empowerment goal area and focus on expanded services for underserved populations through a photo identification program and the Housing First program. The proposed objective focuses on "Municipal Finances" and suggests using local government's bond rating as an outcome measure. IP -4: REGIONAL PRIORITIES 5/5 points Iowa City received full credit for IP -4, which asks communities to submit examples of regional collaboration. The City submitted the climate adaptation work they participate in through the Heartland Sustainability Regional Network. The City also submitted their participation in the 1-380 Corridor Transportation Study as a regional priority for expanded transportation choices. ITA AIT i INNOVATION & PROCESS nComparative Analysis The graphs below show how Iowa City's Innovation & Process scores compare to those from other certified communities. Iowa City fell towards the higher end of the score spectrum by receiving full credit in IP -3: Local Innovation and IPA Regional Priorities. 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 IS 10 5 0 Graph 26: Iowa Qty's Innovation & Process total score in red, as compared to all Certified STAR Communities. Best Practices & Processes Exemplary Performance Local Innovation Regional Priorities 0 5 10 15 20 25 ■ Points Achieved ■ Points Missed Graph 27: Iowa City's Innovation & Process scores, as indicated by diamonds, overlaid on top 38 of the combined percentile scores of all certified communities. NEXT STEPS Certification isn't the end of Iowa City's STAR journey. The results of the assessment should provide insight to the current state of sustainability and ideas for improvement and next steps. BENEFITS OF STAR CERTIFICATION Communities join STAR for mainly reasons and report a variety of benefits from STAR Certification. These can help to communicate the value of STAR Certification and provide ideas for how to use Iowa City's STAR rating going forward. Communities who achieve certification under the STAR Community Rating System are: • Aligning local plans and priorities with a national sustainability framework • Strengthening local metrics • Demonstrating a commitment to data -driven performance management • Increasing transparency and accountability through public -facing reporting • Gaining competitive advantage and attract funding • Catalyzing action in implementing solutions and best practices for sustainability • Communicating resilience and risk management to municipal bond agencies • Integrating health and equity into existing sustainability or environmental efforts • Strengthening civic, university, and governmental partnerships throughout the community • Building and branding a culture of local sustainability • Improving sustainability communication and education • Identifying gaps and prioritize future investment • Celebrating local progress and achieve national recognition STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVEMENT In order to improve a STAR Rating, STAR Communities recommends that the local government perform either a gaps analysis or a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis. Some tips for how to start 39 I. Look at the objectives with lower scores. 2. Ascertain why points were missed. Some possibilities: a. The data wasn't available. b. The data was available, but had not been tracked for long enough to demonstrate a trend line. c. The data was available, but did not meet the STAR trend line or threshold requirement d. The outcome wasn't a community priority for reporting.. e. Didn't have GIS analysis capability or another required skillset to complete the analysis. f. Couldn't find the correct data holder. 3. Prioritize measures for future tracking based upon existing community plans and needs assessments. 4. Identify opportunities for future actions, such as new policies or programs. 5. Develop a plan and timeline for the new actions and measures. 6. Develop community working groups or committees to assist in implementation, or task a green team or other existing sustainability group with aiding in implementation. 7. Consider embedding STAR metrics into annual reports, plans, and local government decision- making processes. VAP AA Date: July 14, 2016 To: City Council CITY OF IOWA CITY MEMORANDUM From: Geoff Fruin, Interim City Manager Re: July Rose Oaks Update 07-14-16 IP7 Over the last few months, staff has provided the City Council periodic updates regarding the renovation of the Rose Oaks property. As previously reported, the property owners have secured demolition and building permits and have been under construction in select portions of the property for several weeks. Earlier this month, Rose Oaks management indicated that there are 50 households remaining on site. Of the 50 remaining households, 20 will be moving out on or before August 1 ", leaving 30 households on the property. Shelter House continues to make their staff available to assist tenants with relocation assistance. At last check, Shelter House had still used little of the $15,000 in federal funds that the City provided them for relocation assistance. Most of the assistance granted to tenants has been paid from the $30,000 that Rose Oaks voluntarily provided. Of this $30,000 approximately $14,000 remained available as of last week. This private funding is more flexible than the federal funds and does not carry the same application requirements or use restrictions. In conversations with Shelter House, they have indicated that there is no need for supplemental funding at this time. The Shelter House has not denied any household relocation assistance. They have assisted households in filling out forms and have also been accommodating to residents who could not complete various fields in the short application form. Staff has no indication that residents that have sought assistance have not had their relocation needs met through the Shelter House staff. Much to the contrary, Shelter House has been very effective in helping many households. At the July 19th work session, Council will consider a proposal to provide an additional $50,000 to be split evenly amongst the 209 households that existed on site as of February 28th, the date in which the transition to Rose Oaks took place. Under this proposal each household, regardless of current housing situation or need, would be eligible to receive $239.23 upon verification of residence at Rose Oaks as of this date. Staff does not recommend this proposal and continues to believe that a needs based, case management style approach is the most appropriate use of public funds. Such a process also ensures that funds provided directly meet relocation needs of the residents. Should the City Council want to proceed with the proposal, staff recommends the $50,000 be taken from the newly created affordable housing fund. Direction from Council will also be needed on the disbursement criteria staff should use when carrying out this program. ^r � IP8 Carr of Iowa CITY UNESCO CRY OF EREMTURE PENDING CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION TOPICS July 14, 2016 Strategic Plan / Budget Related Topics: 1. Consider amending the City's Annexation Policy to require the provision of affordable housing in new residential/mixed-use areas (September) 2. Provide timely and appropriate input on the ICCSD's planned 2017 bond referendum 3. Significantly improve the Council and staff's ability to engage with diverse populations on complex or controversial topics 4. Set a substantive and achievable goal for reducing city-wide carbon emissions by 2030, and create an ad- hoc climate change task force, potentially under an umbrella STAR Communities committee, to devise a cost-effective strategy for achieving the goal. 5. Identify and implement an achievable, goal to reduce disproportionality in arrests 6. Identify a substantive and achievable goal for the provision of affordable housing in Iowa City and implement strategies to achieve this goal (September) 7. Determine scope of Council identified on/off street parking study 8. Determine scope of Council identified housing market analysis of core neighborhoods 9. Determine scope of Council identified complete streets study 10. Determine use of affordable housing funds resulting from the sale of the Court / Linn property (September) Other Topics: 11. Discuss marijuana policies and potential legislative advocacy positions 12. Review the Child Data Snapshot (IP2 2/18) and discuss related strategies with local stakeholders 13. Discuss creation of an ad-hoc committee on social justice and racial equity 14. Review neighborhood traffic calming program U7-14-16 r IP9 �I�.p` CITY OF IOWA CITY �- "MAIN MEMORANDUM Date: July 14, 2016 To: Mayor and City Council V From: Marian K. Karr, City Clerk R Re: KXIC Radio Show KXIC offers a City show at 8:00 AM every Wednesday morning. In the past Council has volunteered for dates, and staff filled in as necessary. Please take a look at your calendars and come prepared to help fill in the schedule at your work session on May 17. Wednesday July 20 — Mims July 27 - August 3 - August 10 - August 17 - August 24 - August 31 - September 7 - In addition we are adding a 7:15 — 7:45 AM the rirst and third Friday of each month: Friday July 15 — Simpson August 5 — August 19 — September 2 — September 16 - ** Please remember that KXIC is very flexible with taping the Wednesday sessions ahead of the show. It is the intent of the Friday interviews to be live. U: rad ioshowasking.doc I! iP�o �r� CITY OF IOWA CITY MEMORANDUM Date: July 7, 2016 To: Mayor and City Council Members From: Marian K. Karr, City Clerk Stefanie Bowers, Equity Director Re: Listening Post Update Thus far in 2016 Council held three listening posts: • Friday, April 1, 6 7:30 p.m. Pheasant Ridge Neighborhood Center, 2651 Roberts Road • Wednesday, April 20, 1-3:00 PM, Old Capitol Center, room 2520D (second floor) • Thursday, June 29, 6-8:00 PM, Forest View Trailer Court No additional dates and sites are currently scheduled. Future listening posts suggested sites include: o Baculis Mobile Home Park o Senior Center o Kirkwood Community College, Iowa City Campus o Farmer's Market (Wednesday or Saturday) SJ isteningpostAocationmemo.doc T ,p we".uiaouts Distnbutw To: City Council - L From: Councilor Rockne Cole(Dae) Re: Rose Oaks Transition Plan Assistance 1016 JJi_ 19 AIM 8: 0 l Date: July 18, 2016 I. SUPPLEMENTAL TRANSITION ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED I continue to support additional funding because many past and present Rose Oaks residents continue to experience high levels of housing related stress due to this unexpected crisis. In addition to the residents who have shared their stories with us as a whole, several other residents have reported ongoing housing challenges, including having to be out of Rose Oaks before they secured new housing and increased housing costs after their move due to the high cost of housing in this community, which is beyond their control. Rose Oaks residents, while hard working, and responsible, were among our most housing insecure in our community. They have suffered needlessly due to the failure of our development standards, which provide little notice prior to filing major site plan renovations, and do not require transition plans prior to issuing the permit. We are fortunately solving this notice problem, but this does not address what has already happened to Rose Oaks residents. Consequently, I believe the Council should step up to fill the gap by providing $50,000 in additional transition assistance. II. EMPIRICAL SUPPORT VERIFIES THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL TRANSITION FUNDING. In addition to the large numbers of residents that showed up this past Spring, several Rose Oaks residents, including a hardworking family with young children, told us directly that they were on the cusp of "on the streets" homelessness. In other words, these families were not able to rely upon friends, or relatives to provide temporary housing. In addition to the reports that we have heard directly, I have received several credible reports from Center for Worker Justice outlining the struggles of the residents. A CWJ volunteer interviewed 12 past and current residents, and asked them about their experiences. Nearly all report severe cost burdens, and many report continuing struggles with costs of living in their new 0 dwellings. That report is attached to this memo. -. ^ 'rn III. NEW PARTNERS SHOULD BE RECRUITED TO ASSIST WTp _ o TRANSITION PLANNING. " I have received communication from Shelter House, which indicates they've been successful at reaching out to some families while other current or past residents have been hard to contact. While I commend Shelter House for the work that they have done so far, they are focused solely on housing when the reality is many residents have been thrown into economic chaos due to factors beyond their control, and many require assistance beyond solely housing assistance. Consequently, I suggest that we seek out new partners to assist us in developing a broader transition assistance program. I suggest that we reach out to United Way to determine whether they could partner with the city to address. I have not done so because I do not have the authority from at least four members of this council. United Way would appear to 0 be a perfect fit. Their website states:' a We know that large-scale problems, such as homelessness, access to ca o affordable health care, being ready to learn at school, families in financial crisis, and affordable housing cannot be solved by a single organization. Finding solutions to these challenges requires the coordinated effort of our entire community. This is where UWJWC provides the leadership as a convener and catalyst to help our partners — to help our communities -- make lasting changes that improve lives. I also would anticipate that United Way could possibly catalyze our $50,000 to possible raise more funds to assist the Rose Oaks residents. In addition to United Way, I suggest that we partner with the residents themselves and other community partners to identify a transition plan and method of distribution. IV. THIS WILL NOT SET ANY PRECEDENT REQUIRING TRANSITION ASSISTANCE ANY TIME DISLOCATION OCCURS. Many have raised the concern that this plan could result in a precedent requiring assistance in all dislocation large and small. This concern has some validity; however, it is no more valid than other type of development assistance. Our staff routinely administers considers funding requests either grants, or denies such requests based upon preset criteria. There is no reason we cannot develop a similar approach to this type of assistance for any future requests. And, with changes that we make in the future, I have strong confidence that residents will have more notice, allowing them adequate time to plan. Like any sudden, unpredictable disaster, Rose Oaks simply did not have time to plan for this and other property owners. We also have invested millions in tax fee loans to developers who have no financial needs. I am not questioning those programs here; however, we cannot view development solely through the lens of property development while ignoring the actual victims of redevelopment. As a matter of basic fairness, the residents should not have to bear the entire cost of 0 unexpected occurrence.;;.. V. SUMMARY, 0 Our community routinely hands out large scale facade grants to devePopers, and other property owners. We also have invested millions in tax fee loans to developers who have no financial needs. I am not questioning those programs here; however, we cannot view development solely through the lens of property development while ignoring the actual victims of redevelopment. As a matter of basic fairness, the residents should not have to bear the entire cost of redevelopment, and just as developers receive assistance, dislocated residents should receive development assistance as well. If we continually support those that already have a lot, why can't we make this effort to ease the burden on residents who will soon be grappling with back to school costs, transportation issues due to relocation, increased food insecurity and other expenses that have been exacerbated by forced relocation? While Rose Oaks residents do not possess large amounts of land, or property, they are just as valuable to our long term economic growth prospects as our development community is. I have greatly admired the Rose Oaks' residents self reliance and their work ethic. Due to lack of Section 8 assistance, many paid full rent, without government assistance, and established themselves as hardworking and valuable members of our community. I do not view this funding as giving them anything. We are providing them assistance to help them restore their lives in Iowa City, and to facilitate their transition to being hardworking taxpayers in this community. N O_ 90 = o w V/-14-10 I �1.4 CITY OF IOWA CITY MEMORANDUM Date: July 14, 2016 To: Geoff Fruin, City Manager From: Simon Andrew, Assistant to the City Manager Re: Oakcrest Street Sidewalk Infill Project Introduction: Council members and several staff members were recently contacted about a sidewalk infill project being planned on Oakcrest Street. The project is scheduled for the fall of 2016. An update on the status of the project is below. History/Background: The City budgets $100,000 biannually to install sidewalks in existing neighborhoods to fill in gaps in our sidewalk network. This is an important component of creating/maintaining accessible infrastructure, enhancing safe walking routes to school for students, improving walkability, and promoting non -auto oriented modes of transportation. Roosevelt Elementary closed as an Iowa City Community School District elementary school in 2012. At that time, elementary school parents requested that sidewalks be installed on Oakcrest Street to fill in gaps in the sidewalk network that their students now take to attend Horn Elementary school. The location was also identified for infrastructure improvement by the Iowa Walking Assessment Logistics Kit (I -WALK), a study funded jointly by the Iowa Department of Transportation and Safe Routes to School and developed as a partnership of the Iowa Department of Public Health, Iowans Fit for Life, and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. With the neighborhood request, staff began to evaluate the location for inclusion in the sidewalk infill project. The location has a number of attributes that make it an attractive use of sidewalk infill resources, as it serves a school route, completes a gap in existing sidewalk, and has proximity to commercial amenities and a retirement community. The project would create a continuous sidewalk from Sunset Street to Woodside Drive. In October 2014, staff invited neighbors to a pre -design meeting regarding the proposed sidewalk infill location on Oakcrest. This meeting was held November 5, 2014 at the Theodore Roosevelt Education Center (former Roosevelt Elementary). Concerns of neighbors opposed to the project as well as feedback from those in favor were discussed. The individual who recently reached out to Council and staff regarding the project attended the neighborhood meeting in 2014 and the concerns expressed at that meeting echo those expressed in recent conversations. Some of the concerns raised are discussed below. The location was initially planned as part of the 2015 sidewalk infill project; however, it was rescheduled to 2016 in order to complete the Oakcrest asphalt overlay project first. The overlay project raises the street approximately three inches; curb ramps would not have met the required accessible slope if the sidewalk project had been completed first. The resurfacing project is currently underway and is expected to be completed in August 2016. It is expected that the sidewalk infill will be completed after the road resurfacing project is finished. The sidewalk infill project was planned and evaluated irrespective of road resurfacing; the project's planning was not triggered by complete streets policies. The acquisition of temporary construction easements for the 2016 sidewalk infill project were authorized at the May 3, 2016 July 14, 2016 Page 2 City Council meeting. The section of sidewalk in front of 1130 Oakcrest is expected to be completed in 2017 to allow time for easement acquisition. Neighborhood Concerns: The cost of the project/property taxes were noted as a concern. However, the biannual sidewalk infill project is funded with general obligation bonds. The project will not be assessed to adjacent property owners. Neighbors also noted that there are existing sidewalk sections on alternating sides of the street. However, the purpose of the project is to have a continuous sidewalk on at least one side of the street. Currently there are gaps on both sides. Uncontrolled midblock street crossings are not the safest pedestrian route, especially for students walking to school. Accessibility is also more challenging with this configuration, both for individuals using mobility devices and those with visual impairments. This project would create a continuous sidewalk on one side of the street. The neighbor stated that safety and privacy will become an issue with pedestrians closer to homes. The primary impetus for the project is to improve pedestrian safety. According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), roadways without sidewalks are more than twice as likely to have pedestrian crashes as sites with sidewalks on both sides of the street. On balance, adding a sidewalk on a school route provides the most benefit for public safety. The concerns about littering and nuisance behavior would be addressed with code enforcement as with any neighborhood. Increases in littering would not be expected with or without a sidewalk. Discussion of Solutions Sidewalk infill projects are often opposed by adjacent property owners and this opposition is expected. Though the City does not currently assess the cost of sidewalk installation to property owners, there are long-term maintenance responsibilities for residents that may increase resistance. Other communities' sidewalk infill documents and ADA transition plans often note the amount of negative feedback these projects receive, but also note the many accessibility and public safety benefits to the projects. When infrastructure is installed, it must be accessible to everyone. The FHWA's Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Access notes, "People with disabilities who live in areas without accessible pedestrian networks and do not have access to automobiles face a greater risk of becoming isolated from the community and unnecessarily dependent upon others to perform routine activities such as grocery shopping." Homes that do not have adjacent accessible infrastructure are effectively taken off of the market for some residents. Financial Impact: The cost of the 2016 sidewalk infill project is estimated to be $96,000, plus the cost of temporary easement acquisition. That estimate includes a project that will complete a gap in the sidewalk network on D Street between First and Second Avenues on the east side of town. Recommendation: Due to the safe school route and accessibility issues noted above, staff recommends moving forward with the sidewalk installation on Oakcrest Street. In the absence of direction to the contrary from Council, the sidewalk infill project continues to be planned for late summer/early fall 2016, with a small portion completed in 2017. � r � ;�nl�lir�,1 Date: July 12, 2016 CITY OF IOWA CITY MEMORANDUM To: Geoff Fruin; Interim City Manager From: Kent Ralston; Transportation Planner Jason Havel; City Engineer Re: Mormon Trek Boulevard & First Avenue — four -lane to three -lane conversions Introduction: The City has two planned four -lane to three -lane conversions (colloquially known as 'road diets') currently included in the FY16-20 Capital Improvement Program. The first road diet is planned for First Avenue between Bradford Drive and Hwy 6 and the second project is planned for Mormon Trek Boulevard between Melrose Avenue and Westside Drive - both programmed for FY16. History/Background: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has shown that important safety benefits can be achieved through four -lane to three -lane conversion projects. Among the benefits, the FHWA notes that such conversions have been shown to reduce the incidence of collisions by 19-47%. Reductions in collisions are primarily achieved by providing a continuous center left -turn lane and by reducing the number of through travel lanes; thereby minimizing the number of conflict points for left -turning traffic. First Avenue and Mormon Trek Boulevard were selected as favorable candidates for conversion as existing and projected traffic volumes on these roadways do not necessitate the existing number of through travel lanes. Each corridor also experiences a relatively high number of collisions. Between 2011 and 2015 Mormon Trek Boulevard experienced a total of 126 collisions and First Avenue experienced a total of 58 collisions. Each of these corridors also has mid -block locations that rank in the top 10 highest collision locations within Iowa City. Moreover, each corridor exhibits a number of driveways and side street intersections, making the provision of a center -left turn lane ideal to provide safe refuge for turning motorists and reduce the incidence of collisions. [Information sheets provided to the public are attached for reference]. Three -lane cross sections in areas with adjacent commercial and residential activities are not new to the community. There are several good examples of existing three lane cross sections that are performing very well that have comparable traffic volumes to that of Mormon Trek Boulevard and First Avenue. Examples include First Avenue (north of Bradford Drive) with traffic volumes of 13,300 vehicles per day (vpd) in 2010, Muscatine Avenue (east of First Avenue) with 15,400 vpd in 2014 and N. Dodge Street (near Bristol Drive) with 10,600 vpd in 2014. For comparison, Mormon Trek Boulevard experienced 9,200 vpd (south of Benton Street) in 2014 and 14,100 (south of Melrose Avenue) in 2010. First Avenue had a volume of 13,000 vpd (south of Bradford Drive) in 2010. Discussion of Solutions: In December 2015, Snyder & Associates was hired to: 1) study the corridors and determine if the conversions in each corridor would be able to be implemented while maintaining acceptable traffic flow, and 2) conduct public outreach to provide additional information about the conversions. Since that time, the Consultant has completed their study of each corridor and determined that the conversions can be implemented with minimal increases to overall travel times while maintaining acceptable delays for side street traffic. The week of June 27th, two public meetings were held to provide the public with project details and gather feedback on each project. In all, IP12 July 13, 2016 Page 2 the meetings were very well attended with approximately 80 participants at the Mormon Trek Boulevard meeting and 50 participants at the First Avenue meeting. While a vocal majority at the Mormon Trek meeting shared their opposition to the project, the First Avenue meeting had a more balanced turnout. Primary topics raised by those for and against the projects included safety, travel times, traffic volumes and congestion, emergency response, and bike facilities. Financial Impact: The City was awarded a $500,000 TSIP grant for each project. Additional funding required for each project is included in the approved budget. Recommendation: The Consultant has indicated the conversions in each corridor should be able to be implemented safely and with minimal increases in travel times, and has recommended proceeding with the road diet conversions from four to three lanes. Given these findings, and after weighing public comment, staff agrees with the Consultant's recommendation to proceed with design and implementation of the four -lane to three -lane conversion for each corridor. Staff feels that the potential for slight increases in travel times and congestion with each project are secondary to the potential for making meaningful increases in safety for the traveling public. Lane Reconfiguration Increases Distance Reduces Conflict Points Annual Average Daily Traffic Source: FHWA Road Diet Information Guide Proposed Improvements Lane reconfiguration proposed from Mall Drive to Lower Muscatine Road 11' wide Through Lanes 12' wide Continuous Two -Way -Left -Turn Lane Dedicated Bike Lanes Traffic Signal Improvements Coordinated signal timing Protected/permissive left -turn phasing CITY OF IOWA CITY Crash History --- 2011-2015 Mall Drive to Lower Muscatine Road 58 Crashes Injuries 1 Major 5 Minor 14 Possible/Unknown $242,400 in Property Damage Reported 10 FTYRO W Left Turn 7 FTYROW Driveway A' Following too close Failing to yield the right of way sdvwipe SNYDER & ASSOCIATES Englneers and Planners Level of Service (LOS) Definition: Quality measure describing operational traffic conditions, in terms of speed, travel time, freedom to maneuver, traffic interruptions, comfort, and convenience. 0 LOS A to LOS F LOS A = Best Operating Conditions (free-flow) ® LOS F = Worst Operating Conditions (congested) LOS C and LOS D Considered acceptable operating service for design and planning • Average LOS based on calculated delay at all legs of the intersection during the AM Peak Hour. • Intersection delay reported in average seconds per vehicle. • Average LOS based on calculated delay at all legs of the intersection during the PM Peak Hour. • Intersection delay reported in average seconds per vehicle. Travel Time Increa of approximately 15 seconds over the entire corridor rContact Information: L Scott Sovers, City of Iowa City — scott-sovers@iowa-city.org Brenna Fall, Snyder & Associates, Inc. — bfall@snyder-associates.com 99 CSNYD & ASSOCIATES CITY OF IOWA CITY Engineers and Planners I . *1 M LOGO V ka a 4• w b. w+ roti+.L•!i W i� - R 6�:^ 4• W,N Lane Reconfiguration Increases Reduces Conflict Points Annual Average Daily Traffic Source: FHWA Road Diet Information Guide Proposed Improvements Lane reconfiguration proposed from Melrose Ave to north of Westside Dr • 11' wide Through Lanes • 12' wide Continuous Two -Way -Left -Turn Lane •Dedicated Bike Lanes c Addition of a dedicated Right Turn Lane at Benton St ADA Sidewalk Ramp Reconstruction Traffic Signal Improvements • Coordinated signal timing • Protected/permissive left -turn phasing Pavement patching � r � CITY OF IOWA CITY Crash History --- 2011-2015 Petsel PI to West Side Dr 126 Crashes Injuries 1 Major 19 Minor 28 Possible/Unknown $645,100 in Property Damage Reported 30 Followed Too Close 26 FTYROW Left Turn / Driveway Following too close Failing to yield the right of way "e Sideswipe E SNYDER & ASSOCIATES' Englnsers and Planners Level of Service (LOS) Definition: Quality measure describing operational traffic conditions, in terms of speed, travel time, freedom to maneuver, traffic interruptions, comfort, and convenience. LOS A to LOS F • LOS A = Best Operating Conditions (free-flow) • LOS F = Worst Operating Conditions (congested) LOS C and LOS D Considered acceptable operating service for design and planning Average LOS based on calculated delay at all legs of the intersection during the AM Peak Hour. Average LOS based on calculated delay at all legs of the intersection during the PM Peak Hour. T of a, seconds over the entire corridor rContact Information: j _ 1 Scott Sovers, City of Iowa City — scott-sovers@iowa-city.org .0. Brenna Fall, Snyder & Associates, Inc. — bfall@snyder-associates.com % -+a.a� CITY OF IOWA CITY SNYD & ASSOCIATES EnginIn eers and Planners Originally distributed as 2f(13), July 5 Consent Calendar. From: Kent Ralston I P13 Sent: Monday, July 11, 2016 11:11 AM mm To: diana-kruse@uiowa.edu Cc: 'City Council; Doug Boothroy; Simon Andrew; Jason Havel; Melissa Clow; Darien Nagle- Gamm Subject: RE: Traffic on Ridge Road / Gateway Project Attachments: Traffic Calming Brochure - 2011 (2).pdf Hello Ms. Kruse — My apologies for the confusion. The Council's review of the traffic calming program will not be based on historical traffic data, but rather the actual mechanics of how to implement the traffic calming program in the future (I've attached the current traffic calming brochure for your reference). I anticipate the discussion will include topics like what types of traffic calming measures the City is willing to consider in the future, what thresholds of traffic speeds/volumes will need to be met for traffic calming to be considered, how many adjacent residents will need to favor a project for it to occur, and how traffic calming projects might be removed if desired by a neighborhood. For clarification, we could collect traffic data now—which is just one step in the traffic calming process, but waiting until school begins typically reveals higher traffic speeds and volumes. In any event, the City Council has not yet had their conversation about potential changes to the existing program and until the discussion occurs, the City is holding back on processing new traffic calming requests. I hope this provides you with some clarification. Please know that I have filed your request and will be in contact after the City Council has reviewed the program. If you have any further questions or comments please don't hesitate to contact me directly. Best Regards, Kent Ralston, AICP Executive Director I Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County Transportation Planner I City of Iowa City 410 E. Washington St. Iowa City, IA 52240 319.356.5253 From: Kruse, Diana L [mailto:diana-kruse@uiowa.edu] Sent: Friday, July 08, 2016 4:25 PM To: Kent Ralston Cc: *City Council; Doug Boothroy; Simon Andrew; Jason Havel; Melissa Clow; Darian Nagle-Gamm; Kruse, Diana L Subject: RE: Traffic on Ridge Road / Gateway Project Mr. Ralston, Thank you for your reply. To be clear, the City Council wants to review the traffic calming program before any traffic data collection can occur? Is this a review of historical data? If data collection on Ridge Road is approved, what would be the basis of comparison? Installing temporary speed bumps now would be the most practical solution in terms of both expense and efficiency. I appreciate any measures you and the Police Department can provide. Thank you. Diana Kruse 1686 Ridge Road Iowa City, IA 52245 Home Phone: 319 354-1265 Office Phone: 319 335-1058 Office Fax: 319 335-2077 Email: diana-kruseaa,uiowa.edu From: Kent Ralston [mailto:Kent-Ralston@iowa-city.org] Sent: Friday, July 08, 2016 3:40 PM To: Kruse, Diana L Cc: *City Council; Doug Boothroy; Simon Andrew; Jason Havel; Melissa Clow; Darian Nagle -Gamin Subject: Traffic on Ridge Road / Gateway Project Hello Ms. Kruse — Your correspondence was forwarded to me for response. While sympathetic to the issues you've raised, the City does not have a current policy that allows for the installation of temporary traffic calming as you've requested. However, the City Council does have an adopted traffic calming program where speed humps can be installed if traffic speeds/volumes meet the required thresholds. The City Council has asked to review the adopted traffic calming criteria/thresholds to ensure the effectiveness of the program — I anticipate this review will occur later this summer. Until that time, the City is not accepting traffic calming requests. The good news is that we would typically not collect data (the first step in the traffic calming process) until school is back in session as this usually yields higher speeds and volumes of traffic. So, the Council's review of the program should not delay any potential traffic calming projects for your neighborhood. To provide some immediate relief of high speeds in your neighborhood, I will request that the Police Department conduct spot speed enforcement in your neighborhood. I will also ask that they deploy the radar speed trailer as available. Please know that I have filed your request and will be in contact after the City Council has reviewed the program. Best regards, Kent Ralston, AICP Executive Director I Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County Transportation Planner I City of Iowa City 410 E. Washington St. Iowa City, IA 52240 k3L'��r�i��icl From: Kruse, Diana L [mailto:diana-kruse@uiowa.edul Sent: Wednesday, June 29, 2016 1:32 PM To: Kingsley Botchway; Rockne Cole; Terry Dickens; Susan Mims; Pauline Taylor; John Thomas; Jim Throgmorton Cc: Kruse, Diana L; Debra Kruse Subject: Traffic on Ridge Road / Gateway Project Dear City Council Members, There is a huge increase in traffic on Ridge Road with the Gateway Project lane reduction on Dubuque Street that now includes closures to both Kimball Road and Brown Street. The traffic on Dubuque is horrible anyway, and this morning the inbound traffic was backed up as far as I could see both north and south. The outbound traffic jam yesterday evening forced many drivers to take Ridge Road to avoid the standstill traffic on Dubuque. There is a significant turnover of residents on Ridge Road and the surrounding neighborhood the past few years, and there are now many new small children living in the area. As I'm sure you are also aware, there is a large wildlife population in this area unaccustomed to high volume traffic. Additionally, there is an ongoing resurfacing project on Whiting Avenue, at times reducing traffic on Whiting to a single lane. The volume and speed of the traffic on Ridge Road is untenable, especially with the construction on the Gateway Project is slated to continue for the next two years; the Kimball Road and Brown Street accesses are not scheduled to resume until mid-September. Therefore, we request that the city council act to install either permanent or temporary speed bumps at intervals along Ridge Road until the Gateway Project is complete. Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to your reply Sincerely, Diana Kruse 1686 Ridge Road Iowa City, IA 52245 diana-krusenauiowa.edu 335-1058 / 354-1265 Typical Traffic Calming Applications in Iowa City: Speed Humps Teg Drive Morningside Drive t Kennedy Parkway Traffic Circles • College Street & Summit Street • Washington Street & Summit Street Raised Median Islands O College Street near Muscatine Avenue Chokers � Shannon Drive Raised Crosswalks :D Nevrton Road For More Information Contact: Iowa City Planning Department Traffic Engineering Planning: 35"2S1 Neighborhood Services: 356.5237 110 E.Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52210.1826 r M CITY OF IOWA CITY City of Iowa City fII1I1 J i f JJI'�II � July 2008 What is Traffic Calming? Traffic calming is the practice of managing speeds and/or volumes of traffic on residential streets using one or more approaches: Increased _ police enforcement, —.— education, or physical changes to the roadway. Each of these -.�...-. _ approaches has its appropriate application and an help reduce speeds and/or unwanted cut - through traffic on neighborhood streets. ENFORCEMENT Increased police enforcement is effective at targeting high speeds during specific times. However, the police department does not have sufficient resources to provide continuous enforcement over a sustained period of time. While motorists may slow down when an officer is present, they often return to previous speeds when targeted enforcement moves to other neighborhoods. EDUCATION Education is the process of making motorists aware of their speeds in relation to the neighborhoods they are traveling in. The City uses several methods w notify motorists of their responsibility to obey traffic laws. One example is the "Share the Road" sign program used to remind r' motorists that bicyclists have a _ right to be on the road and that f both parties need to share the „ road and operate their vehicles responsibly. Another program is the "Check Your Speed" sign program used to alert motorists to watch their speeds in targeted residential areas. _ PHYSICAL CHANGES To help control excessive speeds or unwanted cut - through traffic, physical modifications can be made to a roadway to slow ars down, or to deter unnecessary traffic. These changes can be as simple as adding on - street parking within a corridor, or as complex as constructing speed humps or chicanes in the roadway. Other alternatives are available and each application is custom-designed to meet the individual needs of a particular neighborhood. TYPICALTRAFFIC CALMING METHODS The most important thing to remember is that neighborhood residents need to be Involved in the process. The traffic calming program is driven by neighborhood request The program is not intended to impose unwanted traffic aiming devices In neighborhoods. for traffic calming, a formal request is required from the neighborhood association that includes the sweet proposed for traffic calming, OR a petition from residents along the street proposed for traffic calming Is needed. Neighborhood Traffic Calming Process & Evaluation Criteria In 1996 the Iowa City City Council adopted a traffic calming program w help neighborhoods manage rising traffic speeds and volumes. • The street considered for traffic calming measures must be classified either a local street or collector street • Traffic volumes on a local street should exceed 500 vehicles per day and on a collector street exceed 1,000 vehicles per day, or The measured comfortable speed of drivers (85th percentile speed) should exceed 5 m.p.h. over the posted speed limit O Staff will meet with the neighborhood to discuss which traffic calming measures are reasonable for evaluation. Staff will conduct a traffic study including an evaluation of potential traffic problems, roadway geometry, and the impact the proposed traffic calming measures may have on adjacent screen. Staff will solicit comments on the proposed street modification from the Police, Fire, Public Works, and Transit Departments, as well as local ambulance service. O If the traffic study shows that traffic calming measures can be implemented safely, a mail - back survey of all abutting properties will then be conducted. The proposal for traffic calming must be supported by 60% of those responding w the questionnaire in order w be considered for implementation. Z No minimum number of responses to the mail - back survey is required, but a low response race will be taken into account by the City Council. The City Council makes final decisions on the implementation of all traffic calming projects. 07-14-16 IP14 tr ®ark Date: July 13, 2016 CITY OF IOWA CITY MEMORANDUM To: Geoff Fruin, City Manager From: Stefanie Bowers, Equity Director Re: Diversity Implementations Update and Status on Racial Equity and Diversity Initiative (2nd Quarter 2016) Introduction: This memo serves as an update for the ongoing staff responsibilities of the Ad Hoc Diversity Committee's recommendations that were adopted by way of resolution in June of 2013. It also provides the most recent activity on the Action Plans from the 2014 and 2015 Reports on Racial Equity and the Action Plan and the Initiatives adopted by resolution in February of 2015. Council Hold Listening Posts April 1, a Listening Post was held at the Pheasant Ridge Neighborhood Center. April 20, a Listening Post was held at the University Capitol Centre (Old Capital Town Centre). June 29, a Listening Post was held at Forest View Mobile Home Park. Staff Roundtables May 4, the City Manager's Roundtable was held in the Procter & Gamble room at Mercer Park Aquatic Center. Persons in attendance included the Interim City Manager, Police Captain, City Clerk, Communications Coordinator, Neighborhood Services Coordinator, Parks and Recreation Superintendent and Programmer, Community Outreach Assistant for the Police Department, Human Rights Investigator and the Equity Director, along with representatives from the Black Voices Project, the Coalition for Racial Justice, the Human Rights Commission, the Center for Worker Justice of Eastern Iowa, and Johnson County. Discussion included funding available thru H.E.L.P. (Housing Exterior Loan Program), information on the So You Want to Start a Business Series, and updates on the youth programming planned for the summer at the Robert A. Lee Recreational Center. Expand Coffee with a Cop April 15, Coffee with a Cop was held at the Hy -Vee on Waterfront Drive. May 27, Coffee with a Cop was held at Mercer Park Aquatic Center. Participate in United States Department of Justice Pilot Program National Initiative for Building Community Trust and Justice The Iowa City Police Department was not selected for the program. Offer Police Ride-alongs to Community Members To encourage more relationship building activities with police officers and members of the community, the Police Department offers ride-alongs to members of the community who wish to participate. Expand the Use of Body -Mounted Cameras within the Police Department This was completed in August of 2015. Participate in the Disproportionate Minority Contact Study Ongoing. Encourage Other Jurisdictions within Johnson County to Establish Community Police Review Boards No update at this time. City Departments Receive Trainings on Competency, Bias, Awareness and Cultural Consciousness April 22, City staff from Police and Human Rights participated in Building a Foundation for Criminal Justice Reform in Iowa. The community discussion focused on criminal justice reform at the local level through individual, organizational, and community action. The discussion and efforts of the event will inform a broader event in 2017. June 17, City staff from Neighborhood & Development Services, the Police Department and the City Manager's Office attended the Affordable Housing Conference sponsored by the Johnson County Affordable Homes Coalition. The event included several sessions with differing topics but the overall takeaway was that affordable housing is an engine of equity and growth. Engage with Communities of Color by Actively Participating in Events, Programs, Activities, and Outreach April 1, the Iowa City Public Library extended outreach on how to get a library card by creating handbills in several languages including Spanish and Arabic. April 14, the Human Resources Department and the Police Department participated in the Center of Influence Tour, Lunch and Job Fair with the National Guard and Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). The job fair was an opportunity to network with other area employers and to visit with job seekers. April 22, the Police Department participated in a panel discussion on Police & Public Safety at the Relax:Talk:Grow event held at the Iowa City Public Library. The event was sponsored by the University of Iowa African American Council and the University of Iowa Public Policy Center. April 28, City staff attended the Disproportionate Minority Contact (DMC) Forum: The Impact of Racial Injustices on Youth held at the Iowa City Public Library and sponsored by the DMC Youth Committee for Johnson County. May & June, Iowa City Public Library staff attended events at Mark Twain and Grant Wood Elementary Schools. In total, 201 students received new or replacement library cards through the Library's outreach programs to help students get library cards in time for summer and the Summer Library Bus program. The Library also worked with the Iowa City Police Department and Iowa City Fire Department to create bookmarks they use in their outreach initiatives. The bookmarks feature contact information for each department, encourages students to read, and shares "How to get a Library Card" and safety messages in English, Spanish, Arabic and French. June 15, the City sponsored YES! Career Day at City Hall. The YES! Program (Youth Empowered to Serve Pre -Employment) is administered by Johnson County Social Services each year to provide youth (ages 14-17) with the opportunity to develop job skills, build positive community connections and to prepare for a productive adulthood. City staff from the City Manager's Office, Animal Services, Human Rights Office, Human Resources, Transportation, Parks & Recreational Services, Resource Management, and Housing Inspection discussed how local government works, the wide range of career opportunities within City government and enjoyed lunch with the 30 participants. The Iowa City Public Library has two YES! students working at the Library 4 hours each week this summer. June 24, 25, City staff of several different departments including the City Manager's Office, Police, Fire, Library, Neighborhood Services and Human Rights participated and volunteered in events held as part of the Sixth Annual Juneteenth Celebration here in Iowa City. Saturday's event was held at Mercer Aquatic and Recreational Center. The City was a co-sponsor of the event. Provide Support and Resources for a Regional Community Identification Program. Ongoing. Partner with the Government Alliance on Racial Equity (GARE) The City will co-sponsor a regional GARE Summit. The date and location to be determined. Review and Discuss Committee Reports from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee of Johnson County The City Clerk has been including the meeting minutes of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee of Johnson County in Council Information Packets. The Committee has not met in 2016 preferring to place its focus on the crisis intervention training and facilities. Collect and Analyze Data on Individuals who Apply for Employment with the City The City has been collecting data annually on the race and ethnicity of individuals that apply for employment with the City through the new MUNIS Enterprise Resource Planning System. The data is voluntarily submitted by the applicant. Results will be reported out on in the 2016 Report on Racial Equity. Collect and Analyze Data on Individuals who Apply for Appointment on City Boards/Commissions The City has been collecting data annually on the race and ethnicity of individuals that apply for appointment on a City board/commission through a voluntary survey that is a part of the application. Human Rights staff began circulating this year's survey to board and commission staff in mid-February. Results will be reported out on in the 2016 Report on Equity. Evaluate a Racial Equity Impact Review Tool for City Budgets, Programs, Policies and Services June 21, staff has prepared a pilot racial and socio-economic review toolkit. Pilot will begin with fiscal year 2017. Participating departments are Police, Transit, Human Resources, Human Rights, Finance, City Manager's Office and Neighborhood & Development Services. Increase Racial/Ethnic Diversity of the Applicant Pool for Hiring within the Police Department April 13, Human Resources and the Iowa City Public Library, in an attempt to connect police officer candidates with resources to help them prepare for the required, written POST (Police Officer Selection Test), provided interested candidates access to online resources through Learning Express. Learning Express offers specific help to sharpen candidates' basic reading, writing and math skills. Library staff assisted interested candidates in creating a Learning Express account through which they were able to access no -cost tutorial materials including a variety of practice exams. June 20, Human Resources placed a running 12 -month ad on the National Minority Update website. The National Minority Update is an online recruitment resource that addresses topics which affect communities of color in regard to employment and education. The goal of National Minority Update is to create a resource that allows corporate, educational, and government entities to effectively target qualified candidates of color seeking educational and employment opportunities. Increase Awareness of the Options to File Complaints of Discrimination against the Police Department or other City Services, Programs or Operations April 26, the Community Police Review Board held its Community Forum at the Iowa City Public Library. The purpose of the forum is to hear views on the policies, practices and procedures of the Iowa City Police Department. April 29, the Iowa City Public Library created a resource center where individuals can browse brochures that will help connect them with community resources. The resource center is to assist persons who may lack computer skills or who may feel uncomfortable asking a Librarian. Brochures on the Human Rights Complaint process have been provided in English and Spanish. Other Items to Note: April 20, the Human Resources Department required all Department Directors with positions in AFSCME pay grades 1-6 to review their job descriptions that required a high school diploma as a minimum educational requirement to see whether a candidate could substitute this requirement with other reasonable skill/experience requirements. May 13, Parks & Recreational Services concluded a recreational program staff created that ran for 8 -weeks this spring. The program taught basic American sport skills. It was open to any youth who wished to attend, but was specifically marketed to members of the Sudanese community through community leadership. There was a registration fee of $10 per child which covered the cost of the instructors. Seventy-seven youth participated. A similar program started in June 2016 that focuses on basic swimming skills. The goal of these programs is to help provide comfort levels with sports so that all children feel comfortable participating in existing sport association programs. May 17, a partnership between the City, the University of Iowa and local community development officials was selected to take part in Invest Health a new national program aimed at transforming how leaders from mid-size American cities work together to help low-income communities improve health by addressing the conditions that drive health, including access to safe and affordable housing, places to play and exercise, and quality jobs. June 1, University of Iowa Professor Katrina Sanders presented The Continuation of Conversations on Diversity over a Lunch and Learn for current board and commission members. The series will be continued in the fall of 2016. June 4, So you want to Start a Business concluded with its last workshop. The workshops provided information and technical assistance to those wanting to start their own business. The PowerPoint slides are available on the City's website for those unable to attend. Over 132 persons attended the workshops. The City's MicroLoan Program also was tweaked to have better terms (3% interest, $10,000 maximum loan for 5 year term). This is a program that provides low to moderate income persons with access to affordable loans to start or expand a business in Iowa City. June 4-12, the City provided sponsorship to two youth to participate in the Civil Rights & Historically Black Colleges and Universities Tour conducted by KoNec. June 6, a Recreation Program Coordinator was hired by Parks & Recreational Services to administer activities for youth between the ages of 12 to 18 for the summer months. The Summer Fun Program was designed in cooperation with a coalition of non -profits and community leaders to engage youth of color. To date there are 60 participants and a nightly meal is provided by the Iowa City Community School District at no charge. Participants are given discounted bus passes by the City's Transportation Department. June 8, the City co-sponsored Workplace Revolution held at the Double Tree Hotel in downtown Cedar Rapids. The day -long event is designed to assist in retention, recruitment and employee engagement. Topics included investing in workplace culture. Other sponsors were Diversity Focus, the Iowa City Area Development Group and Kirkwood Community College. June 18, the Iowa City Public Library, along with other community organizations, started the Not a Box parties for the summer months. These are family events, planned for late Saturday afternoons at parks that are located in neighborhoods designated as being low to moderate income. The focus is children ages 3-8. Not a Box is a book by Antoinette Portis. It is a story about imagination and creativity in which a young rabbit's imagination frees him from the constraints that he has just a box. June 30, Human Resources updated all job descriptions to include diversity and inclusivity statements as part of duties and responsibilities for City employees. See Attachment for a complete list of the Police Department's activities for the second quarter. TO: Stefanie Bowers FROM: Captain Bill Campbell RE: DIF Reporting for ICPD — 2nd Quarter 2016 DATE: July 12, 2016 ICPD's DIF Reporting for the second quarter of 2016 is below. COMMUNITY OUTREACH: Documentation of any participation of an event, attended or presented, by a Department Member to a community member or organization. 41 ICPD Officers attended 252 events in the second quarter of 2016 totaling 308 hours and made contact with approximately 5,241 community members. Some highlights included the Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Iowa; an RVAP open house; Juneteenth activities; a career day at Regina High School and participation on a domestic /sexual violence panel discussion. The Department also had Coffee with a Cop events in April at the Hy -Vee on Waterfront Drive, and in May at Mercer Aquatic Center. Evening Watch officers also presented donated items, including a new television, to the Youth Emergency Shelter COMMUNITY Presentations: Documentation of any participation in a community presentation by a Department Member. 17 ICPD Officers participated in 63 community presentations in the second quarter of 2016, totaling 111 hours, and making contact with 2,514 community members. This quarter saw a number of ALICE active shooter training sessions; presentations to Cub Scout groups, the Dream Center, shoplifter diversion program and ICCSD summer programs; and continued involvement in discussions about a low barrier shelter for the homeless in Iowa City. CULTURAL COMPETENCY TRAINING: Documentation of any training by a Department Member involving cultural competency. Cultural competency training refers to training directed at an ability to interact effectively with people of different cultures, ethnicity, and socio-economic backgrounds. All sworn members of the Department completed on line training entitled, "Fair and Impartial Policing," in April 2016. This was part of an on line training series that officers complete every month. Community Outreach Assistant Henri Harper also attended an affordable housing conference DIF Reporting for ICPD — 2nd Quarter 2016 PUBLIC EDUCATION EFFORTS ON RIGHTS: Documentation of any participation of an event, attended or presented by a Department Member to a community member or organization where focus is on education of one's rights. Officers Cash and Hayes conducted three, one hour training sessions entitled, "Know the Law," to 173 University of Iowa students. COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS: Documentation of any partnership between the Department and another Community Organization. The Department worked with community partners that led to attendance at 140 events by 35 officers who spent 239 hours with 5,497 community members. Of note is the Department's partnership with agencies such as: The Dream Center, ICCSD, Broadway Neighborhood Center, Special Olympics, Elder Services, DVIP, and DMC. The Downtown Liaison was invited to represent the Iowa City Police Department and participate in the White House's Data -Driven Justice Initiative. This is a coalition of city, county, and state governments who have committed to using data -driven strategies to divert low-level offenders with mental illness out of the criminal justice system and change approaches to pre-trial incarceration. The Downtown Liaison's partnership with the Johnson County Local Homeless Coordinating Board (LHCB), the Frequent User Systems Engagement (FUSE) sub -committee, the Winter Extreme Temperature (WET) Shelter sub -committee, and the Low -Barrier Shelter sub -committee showed the following results: The FUSE sub -committee is working toward a "housing first" initiative which will provide housing to chronically homeless individuals with a goal of reducing their use of emergency services. The WET Shelter sub -committee has successfully implemented a second annual temporary shelter to provide an alternate housing option for the winter months. This alternate housing provides shelter for individuals who are intoxicated or are otherwise ineligible to receive housing at Shelter House. The Low -Barrier Shelter sub -committee is part of "San Antonio Model" for crisis intervention. The sub -committee is exploring the details of San Antonio's model compared with Johnson County's needs and will be developing a plan and necessary budget to implement a comparable system here. The Department also conducted 1,083 extra patrol efforts. DIF Reporting for ICPD — 2nd Quarter 2016 2 U/-14-10 1 P1 Marian Karr From: Geoff Fruin Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2016 7:31 AM To: Marian Karr Cc: Simon Andrew; Stefanie Bowers Subject: FW: U I Chinese Students Marian, Could you please include this in correspondence? Thanks, Geoff From: HarrV03 [mailto:HarryO3@aol.com] Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2016 12:20 AM To: Stefanie Bowers; Jim Throgmorton Cc: Patrick B Butler; Geoff Fruin; Simon Andrew Subject: U I Chinese Students About two or three years ago, Jim Throgmorton approach me as chair of IC HRC and he was concerned with how students were indoctrinated to life in America, Iowa, and UI. I led a team of HRC Commissioners consisting of Andrea, Orville, Joe, and myself (if I left anybody out, I do apologize) to a meeting with representatives from the student Chinese Association, the Provost Bary Butler, reps from the UI International Program, and local representatives of organization we thought could assist. We brain stormed ideas and recommended a pre -departure CD or web viedo sent to incoming students and their parents that incoming students to watch.The US International Programs went further then we expected the results are manifested today in this project (see article from the UI International Program. HRC has had a great influence in our community and works with the University in a cooperative manner and I look forward to this relationship continuing. This is yet another example of the outstanding work and efforts that the IC HRC has been known for. Please pass this on to the commissioners and City Council. Harry Olmstead China pre -departure orientations a success For the fourth year, we welcomed incoming first-year students, their parents, and alumni to join UI faculty and staff for pre -departure orientation sessions in Beijing and Shanghai, China. Attendees heard presentations from UI staff, personal reflections on life at Iowa from panels of UI students and alumni, and had the opportunity to ask questions and mingle with fellow incoming first-year students. Sent from my Galaxy Tab® A July 11, 2016 Dear Neighbor: 07-14-io IP16 rr1®r�� CITY OF IOWA CITY 410 East Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240-1826 (3 19) 356-5000 (319) 356-5009 FAX www.icgov.org As you may be aware, property owners in your neighborhood have filed an appeal with the Iowa City Board of Adjustment. The appeal challenges the issuance of a building permit for a residential building on property located in the Low Density Single-family (RS -5) zone at 101 Lusk Avenue. The Board of Adjustment will review this application at a public meeting tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, September 14, 2016 at 5:15 P.M. to be held in Emma Harvat Hall, City Hall, 410 East Washington St. This meeting date was set in consultation with the appellant and the owner of the property 101 Lusk Avenue in order to ensure that all affected parties could be present. The meeting date is subject to change. Please check the City of Iowa City's website at www.icgov.org/agendaboa the week of the meeting or call 319-356-5230 to confirm the agenda. If you have questions regarding this application, please contact me at 319-356-5239 or email sarah-walz@iowa-city.org Sincerelly,l/ p Associate Planner Dept. of Neighborhood and Development Services Enc. c. Location map WE S 0 0.005 0.01 0.02 Miles I i I i I City of Iowa City 101 Lusk Avenue Prepared By: Marti Wo Date Prepared: June 2 Y Call for Volunteers: help move Rose Oaks tenants IP17 Q Receive Updates jEnter Email Address Go WX Call for Volunteers: help move Rose Oaks tenants City of Iowa City sent this bulletin at 07/13/2016 12:30 PM CDT O SHARE Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. City of IOWA CITY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: 7/13/2016 Contact: Alex Stanton, Communications Coordinator Shelter House Phone: (319) 338-5416, ext. 207 Call for Volunteers: help move Rose Oaks tenants 4 i Community volunteers are needed to help roughly 20 families move out of a low-income apartment complex in Iowa City that is closing for renovations. https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/IAIOWA/bulletins/155da5c 7/13/2016 Call for Volunteers: help move Rose Oaks tenants Page 2 of 3 The City of Iowa City provided funding to help Shelter House open an onsite resource center at Rose Oaks inside unit 1801, formerly a one -bedroom apartment. At the center, people have been able to fill out applications seeking aid for moving costs, utility and security deposits, rent and other assistance needed to secure permanent housing. Staff members, in partnership with staff from The Crisis Center of Johnson County, Salvation Army and Johnson County General Assistance, have also provided lists of affordable housing while talking through concerns and determining next steps for tenants. "These efforts by our staff, community partners and the City have helped prevent homelessness for low income families experiencing an expensive, unexpected move," Shelter House Associate Executive Director Mark Sertterh said. But help is still needed. On Monday, August 1, 2016, one of the busiest moving times in Iowa City, Shelter House will help individuals and families move to their new residences. Moving trucks will be provided, but volunteers are needed to load and unload belongings. The move will happen between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Volunteers can set-up a time in advance or stop by Rose Oaks, 2401 Highway 6 unit #1801, and ask for Abby. Setting up a time in advance is preferred. Moving supplies donations, including boxes and moving carts are also needed. People can bring those items to Shelter House, 429 Southgate Ave., any day between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Those interested in setting up a time to volunteer should e-mail Debbie Peck at Debbie(Dshelterhouseiowa.orc<mailto:Debbie anshelterhouseiowa.ora>. To learn more about the program visit shelterhouseiowa.org<htto://shelterhouseiowa.orc/> or contact Alex, Communications Coordinator, at alex.stanton(Dshelterhouseiowa.org. Funding for the resource center at Rose Oaks was provided by College Fund Properties II and the City of Iowa City. Photo credit: MacKenzie Bihl and Shelter House t 3-;-• owf Mil Questions? ..�y� Contact Us CITY Of IOWA CITY UFASCOCmor urzatou STAY CONNECTED: SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: Manage Preferences I Unsubscribe I Help https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/IAIOWAfbuiletins/I55da5c 7/13/2016 Marian Karr From: Sent: To: Subject: For the late handouts Kingsley Botchway Il Iowa City Mayor Pro Tem Kingsley Botchway Friday, July 15, 2016 8:38 AM Marian Karr Fwd: DVIP Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone -------- Original message -------- From: Missie Forbes <missie@dvipiowa org> Date: 7/14/16 1:02 PM (GMT -06:00) To: Kingsley Botchway <Kingsley-Botchway@iowa-city.org> Subject: Re: DVIP So then lets do either July 27th or 29th, August 3rd or 5th Missie Forbes Development Director Domestic Violence Intervention Program 1105 Gilbert Court, Iowa City, IA 52240 Office: 319-356-9863 Ext. 3 Cell: 319-936-2883 www.dvipiowa.or¢ Late Handouts Distribute.: �\1s\1b (Date) On Thu, Jul 14, 2016 at 12:59 PM, Kingsley Botchway <Kingsley-Botchway@iowa-citv.org> wrote: Sooner would work best. Kingsley Botchway II Iowa City Mayor Pro Tem Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone -------- Original message -------- From: Missie Forbes <missiena,dvipiowa.org> Date: 7/14/16 12:58 PM (GMT -06:00) To: Kingsley Botchway <Kingsley-Botchway@a,iowa-citv.or¢> Subject: Re: DVIP No --they didn't give me any specific dates --it was kind of a blanket answer from all of them. I can pick some dates --does sooner or later work best for you? Missie Forbes Development Director Domestic Violence Intervention Program 1105 Gilbert Court, Iowa City, IA 52240 Office: 319-356-9863 Ext. 3 Cell: 319-936-2883 www.dviniowa.or¢ On Thu, Jul 14, 2016 at 12:55 PM, Kingsley Botchway <Kingsley-Botchwav( ,iowa-city.org> wrote: Misse, No specific dates? Kingsley Botchway II Iowa City Mayor Pro Tem Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone -------- Original message -------- From: Missie Forbes <missieCadvipiowa.ore> Date: 7/14/16 12:51 PM (GMT -06:00) To: Kingsley Botchway <Kingsley-Botchway(a)iowa-city.org> Subject: DVIP Kingsley, I spoke with some of our board members who are interesting in talking with the council and it sounds like Wednesdays or Fridays are the best days, generally over the lunch hour. Let me know what is decided on Tuesday and thanks again for your interest in talking with us! Missie Forbes Development Director Domestic Violence Intervention Program 1105 Gilbert Court, Iowa City, IA 52240 Office: 319-356-9863 Ext. 3 Cell: 319-936-2883 www.dviaiowa.ore S. P Marian Karr From: City of Iowa City <CityoflowaCity@public.govdelivery.com> Sent: Friday, July 15, 2016 3:55 PM To: Marian Kan Subject: FACF presents final payment on $1 million capital campaign pledge for new Animal Center Late Handouts UtauIut,« 0 SHARE Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. CI ty O f10WACITY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: July 15, 2016 Contact: Liz Ford Phone: 319-356-5295 FACF presents final payment on $1 million capital campaign pledge for new Animal Center Friends of the Animal Center Foundation (FACF) has paid off the $1 million pledge it made in 2012 to help fund construction of the new Iowa City Animal Care & Adoption Center at 3910 Napoleon Lane. The group presented the final $400,000 check to Mayor Jim Throgmorton on Thursday, July 14, 2016 in a small ceremony held at the Animal Center. The flood of 2008 destroyed the previous Animal Center on Kirkwood Avenue. For seven years, the Animal Center operated from a temporary facility on Sand Road while plans were made and funding sources were established for a new building. FACF pledged $1 million toward the new facility, which opened in August 2015. According to FACF, 471 donors contributed to the campaign. Additional funding for the facility came from FEMA, the State of Iowa, Johnson County, the Cities of Coralville and University Heights, and the University of Iowa. The new facility offers many improvements over the previous shelter, including separate housing areas for different species, as well as for sick and injured animals; a medical/ surgical room; air exchange system in each room; and energy efficient geothermal heating and cooling systems. "The support of the community throughout the flood and loss of the Kirkwood facility, and then through our temporary operation and construction of our new Animal Center, has been nothing short of phenomenal. The fact that members of our community could raise and donate $1 million to help construct our animal care facility speaks volumes about the kind of support we enjoy here," said Liz Ford, Animal Services Supervisor. "We are very grateful to everyone who donated to the campaign and continue to support our mission in many ways." For more information, contact Animal Center Supervisor Liz Ford at 319-356-5295 or e-mail liz- ford(&iowa-citv.org Questions? wra,_ Contact Us CITY OF IOWA CITY EMiSCocm OE uTERATIME STAY CONNECTED: SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: Manage Preferences I Unsubscribe I Help This week, Friends of the Animal Center Foundation (FACF) made their final payment on a $1 million pledge for the Iowa City Animal Care & Adoption Center. Christina Kimerle, Executive Director for FACF, left, presented a $400,000 check to Liz Ford, Animal Center Supervisor, and Mayor Jim Throgmorton on Thursday. FACF is a nonprofit organization formed in 1999 to raise funds to support and expand the Animal Center's services for companion animals. This email was sent to marian-karrQiowa ity.org using GovDelivery, on behalf of: City of Iowa City 410E P." b, go Washington Street - lowa City, IA 52240 90VEIR M gr',M. a MINUTES PRELIMINARY BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT JUNE 15, 2016-5:15 PM MPOJC OFFICE, CITY HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Larry Baker, Connie Goeb, Becky Soglin, Tim Weitzel MEMBERS ABSENT: Gene Chrischilles STAFF PRESENT: Susan Dulek, Sarah Walz OTHERS PRESENT: Thomas McInerney, Justin Matiyabo, Katie Sturgell, Sue Benton, Mike Benton, Binua Matiyabo, Anthony Smith CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 5:15 PM. ROLL CALL: A brief opening statement was read by Baker outlining the role and purpose of the Board and the procedures that would be followed the meeting. CONSIDERATION OF THE APRIL 13, 2016 MEETING MINUTES: Soglin moved to approve the minutes of April 13, 2016, with minor changes. Goeb seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed 4-0. SPECIAL EXCEPTION ITEM (EXC16-00003): Discussion of an application for a special exception submitted on behalf of the King of Glory Church to allow expansion of an existing daycare center located in the Low Density Single - Family (RS -5) zone at 2024 G Street and 931 Third Avenue. Walz began the staff report noting that she did receive a letter from a neighbor earlier in the day which she distributed to the Board [and was distributed to the applicant].. Walz explained that the Board had previously approved a daycare to be located in a house that is associated with the Church and subsequently approved a second special exception to expand the daycare from 16 to 33 children. The Church is now seeking to increase the daycare again by expanding into the basement of the church. Walz noted there will need to be some modifications to the church building to accommodate the daycare. She showed photos of the location from various views and also the site plan for the property. A few issues with the site plan, the daycare will still operate out of the house, but they wish to expand into the basement of the church, which will involve creating an ADA accessible path to enter into the lower level of the church. Board of Adjustment June 15, 2016 Page 2 of 12 Walz stated that the biggest issues for daycare operations in residential zones are parking and vehicle traffic and the noise associated with children. Walz explained that when Staff was reviewing this application one of the chief concerns was vehicle circulation and parking. Staff has been observing the parking situation and on most days there were only five or six vehicles in the lot. The applicant has proposed some screening to screen the play area as well as some of the parking area. Walz reviewed the specific standards. In regard to required indoor and outdoor activity areas, she noted that following the DHS standards there was sufficient activity areas. Vehicular circulation access to the shared parking area is provided via a curb cut from G Street so that is where all the traffic would come from. The applicant has stated that to provide adequate care for the various age groups of children they will require only 10 employees. With 10 employees and 64 children, the daycare is required to provide a minimum of 16 parking spaces + 3 stacking spaces. The parking area shared by the Church and daycare provides 20 parking spaces and sufficient space for 3 cars to stack adjacent to the entrance from the parking area. However at peak times it may be necessary for cars to park on the street, or there may be some delay entering or exiting the lot. However, the daycare makes use of van service to transport many of its clients to and from the site. With regard to pedestrian circulation there is adequate pedestrian access to the Church building and daycare from the parking lot from G Street. With the site development standards Walz noted they plan to bring the parking area closer to conformance, with the removal of a portion of the pavement to create more separation from parking to public sidewalk and by adding screening along Muscatine Avenue to screen the play area. The Church had previously received a parking reduction special exception based on the schedule for the daycare and the Church do not operate in the same business hours. This special exception can continue as long as the hours of operation for the daycare are noted to not interfere with Church business. Walz said that she would not review all of the general standards listed in the Staff report, but did note with regards to "the specific proposed exception will not be detrimental to or endanger the public health, safety, comfort or general welfare" staff believes the application satisfies this criterion based on findings articulated in the specific standards regarding vehicle circulation and pedestrian access. Additionally, by providing van service to provide pick-up and drop-off of children, the daycare greatly reduces the demand for parking and circulation on what is a constrained site. That along with the sufficient parking and on -street frontage parking will be adequate. Staff recommends approval of EXC16-00003, a special exception to allow the expansion of an existing daycare and a reduction in the required parking from 40 spaces to 20 on property located in the Low Density Single -Family (RS -5) zone at 2024 G Street subject to the following conditions: Hours of operation shall be limited to 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Substantial compliance with the site plan submitted. Fencing of the play area that faces onto Muscatine Avenue will be black chain link. The size of the daycare may not exceed 64 children according to the age schedule submitted with this application. The applicant must secure a building permit for the proposed Board of Adjustment June 15, 2016 Page 3 of 12 modifications to the church building in order to establish the use. Recommended that all parking loading and unloading should take place within the parking area or on the G Street frontage. Walz noted that the final condition was to address what may occur if the daycare would ever change such that most children are not provided van service to the site. Goeb noted this is the third time this property has been in front of the Board for a special exception. The first was just to allow the daycare, next to increase the number allowed in the daycare, and now to again increase the allowable number. Walz confirmed that statement. Goeb asked how the daycare can keep increasing the number of children without increasing the parking necessary. Walz said there is a small increase in the parking but it doesn't extend over the 20 spots that are there. The parking is based on number of employees, and the number of employees needed is based on the ages of the children in the daycare. She explained that if the City does receive complaints about parking issues at the location they will check to make sure the daycare is operating to the age schedule they said they would to make sure they are not using extra parking. Goeb asked about noise and if there were any Code regulations to control that. Walz said there are not, but the Board could impose a condition on the special exception that would address noise if they wish. Baker asked about the playground size and what the maximum number of children that could be on the playground at one time. Walz said the maximum number of children on the playground at any one time is 19. Baker questioned what was meant by a privacy fence. Walz explained it would be a 5-6 foot solid, for example wood, fence. On the question of parking, Baker noted the report states "most of the children at the daycare are served by a pickup service and are delivered to the site by a van which reduces the number of vehicles coming into the lot" but a van requirement is hard to enforce. Walz said the City can enforce that they have a van and they offer van service but cannot force families to use that service. Dulek suggested that if the Board wishes to impose the condition of a van service, they should also indicate a percentage of clientele that must use the van, such as one-third, so that there is then a way to follow up and assure the van service is being utilized. Baker asked the applicant to come forward to address and answer questions of the Board. Thomas Mclnerney (1208 Marcy Street) is the architect for 921 Third Avenue project. He explained that the project is achievable because they have the opportunity to utilize the remaining part of parking that was not being utilized and also with the installation of a ramp there will be an accessible access to the basement level, which has an existing restroom that can be modified for accessibility. The intent of this project is to not put an addition on but rather utilize currently unutilized space. The children that this daycare serves are 90% from low- income housing so this will be an opportunity to service more of that population. He added that part of the project will be to install fire sprinklers into the building. Soglin asked if McInerney could describe how the outdoor areas are used. McInerney said the playgrounds are used in shifts so that is why they needed more indoor space to accommodate all the children even when some are on the playground. Soglin asked if that meant that there Board of Adjustment June 15, 2016 Page 4 of 12 would be children on the playground throughout the entire day. Justin Mativabo (2024 G Street) came forward to answer Soglin's question. He said they play outside on rotation, each group is outside for about a half-hour twice a day. Baker questioned the addition of more children to the daycare and how that would affect the number of children on the playground at one time. Walz said there is sufficient outdoor space to accommodate the added children. Baker voiced concern about added noise. Goeb asked how many staff are supervising the children when they are outside. McInerney referred to the DHS guidelines for ratios of staff per child is based on the ages of the children. There was discussion regarding the van that is used for the daycare. It is a 15 -person van and is used for all ages of children that attend the daycare. Matiyabo noted that DHS checks to make sure the van is compliant for transporting children. Baker asked about the playground and how much fencing would be necessary to create the privacy from the neighbors. McInerney said it would be about 5 to 6 feet. Soglin expressed concern about the playground on the Muscatine Avenue side of the property and that a chain link fence does not seem sufficient for such a busy road. She also voiced her concern about supervision of children while on the playground. Baker opened the public hearing. Katie Sturgell (920 4`h Avenue) is a native of Iowa City and questioned the number of children up to the age of two the daycare will have and according to DHS regulations of one employee to every four children. Walz said that is correct up to 24 months, but it changes at 24 months, and the daycare will be overseen by DHS regulations. Sturgell noted her concern is the level of supervision for the children. Her house backs up to the outdoor play area of the daycare and said it can be very noisy. Additionally the children shout at her dog and throw things into her yard at the dog—this is not being addressed by the staff who are supposed to be watching the children. Goeb asked about the fence and Sturgell said it is her chain link fence on the property line Sturgell stated that on June 8 her husband was in the backyard with the dog and one of the children did come over the fence from the daycare into the backyard. At that time there was no supervision for the handful of children that were playing outside. Another child had to go inside to get an employee to let them know one of the children had jumped the fence. Baker asked how many times Sturgell has noticed children on the playground with no supervision. Sturgell said she has not kept exact track but it has been half a dozen to a dozen times that the children were teasing her dog without the employees intervening, but it was only the one time her husband saw no adult supervision on the playground. Baker asked if Sturgell had ever filed a complaint with DHS and Sturgell said she has not. She intends to look on the DHS website for information on filing a complaint about the June 8 incident. Soglin asked if Sturgell has spoken with any of the daycare staff or supervisors and Sturgell Board of Adjustment June 15, 2016 Page 5 of 12 said she had not, but intends to Baker asked if there were a 6- to 8 -foot solid wood fence would that alleviate some of Sturgell's concerns and she replied it would. Baker asked about the noise concerns and when those became a problem. Sturgell said it has been more noticeable this summer and is fairly consistent throughout the day. Soglin asked when the daycare increased the number of children, and Walz said that was in 2015. Sue Benton (2001 Muscatine Avenue) stated that when they moved into this neighborhood 18 years ago they knew there was a church nearby and knew that meant every Sunday there would be more traffic and activity than on weekdays. One day a week, maybe some occasional weekday meetings, that was acceptable. The building changed hands many times, sometimes they were good neighbors, sometimes not. When the King of Glory congregation bought the property they asked for a special exception to start a daycare and Benton said she was not thrilled about that idea. However because she wanted to be a good neighbor, she did not object. In hindsight they should have thought about all the children playing outside, the noise, the increased traffic and commotion that comes now on a daily basis. Now King of Glory wants another special exception to nearly double the number of children they serve, which will be more noise from the playground, increased traffic, and basically expanding their business into what has traditionally been a quiet residential area. Benton questions where does this end. She is not in favor of granting this special exception and feel that expansion of this daycare business further intrudes on the nature of their residential neighborhood. Goeb asked if Benton noticed a change when the daycare expanded in 2015. Benton said that yes, the noise level became more noticeable over time as well as the traffic. Mike Benton (2001 Muscatine Avenue) stated he feels like the proposed expansion is a done deal and questions once the Board allows this new service, if the Church goes away, does the daycare and the ability to use the property remain. Walz said that yes the daycare could still remain but also noted no decision had been made. She stated that the Board makes that decision based on evidence and testimony they hear from the public as well as the applicant. Baker added that there are no preparatory meetings of the Board, they are hearing this application for the first time at this meeting. Walz explained that the Board has options, they can approve a request, they can deny a request, or they can approve a request with conditions. Benton voiced his concern about the proposed expansion saying he feels the property will no longer function primarily as a church but rather a business. Baker asked for clarification from the applicant about the daycare operations Binua Mativabo (2024 G Street) confirmed that the Church runs the daycare but the clientele is not restricted to Church members. Baker closed the public hearing. Goeb questioned the square footage of the entire facility and if her calculations are correct they could provide daycare for up to 91 children. Walz said she did not know for sure, but that while further expansion may be possible based on the square footage, any further expansion would Board of Adjustment June 15, 2016 Page 6 of 12 be limited by the minimum parking requirements. Baker asked about the current parking capacity and what capacity of children will that allow for. Walz said it would depend on the ages of the children, how many staff would need to be added, and how many parking spaces those staff would need. After this request, they are very close to capacity of parking spaces per employee. Baker noted the areas of concern: the available parking and the screening and noise concerns, both of which are based on the allowable density. Walz agreed, she however noted that while Staff is fine with a privacy fence along the property lines to screen from the neighboring houses, however, for aesthetic reasons she thought it was unlikely that staff would recommend a privacy fence along Muscatine Avenue. Weitzel asked if a solid fence was the normal mitigating factor used for noise control. Walz replied that given the limitations on space for setbacks or landscape buffering, it likely was the only means of addressing noise. Baker shared his concerns that this application is a dramatic increase in density, it will have an impact on parking and traffic, and there is demonstrated evidence of neighbors' concerns about noise, based on the current density. Goeb agreed that the density is a concern. Soglin also feels the density is a concern. Weitzel stated that with regards to the van service, the Board could articulate the recommendation of using the van service to mitigate the amount of traffic in and out of the area, however as Staff has indicated it is going to be difficult to enforce. Soglin stated that it appears that taking the density up to 64 children is too much, but questioned if the daycare could add more children without building another playground. Walz said that additional floor area was needed and that was to be added in the church building. Soglin asked if the play area has to be connected to the building the children are in, or can they be walked across the lot to the other playground. McInerney stated there is no requirement that says the playground must be connected to the building. Soglin stated that is a concern for her, that walking children across the lot to a playground area risks a child running off or being injured. Walz noted that the Board is able to determine if the site is fit for what is being proposed, based on the general and specific criteria. Baker asked if the Board was in agreement that there should be some fencing buffer, such as6 foot solid fence, between the existing playground and the neighboring houses. Goeb and Soglin said that condition would only be necessary if an increase in density was allowed. Goeb stated that she is not supportive of approving an increase in density. Soglin stated that if she were to agree to an increase it would be a very small number. She had supported the two previous special exceptions for the daycare but did not feel she could support this much larger expansion. Soglin said she was sympathetic to the fact that the Church is providing a service, one that is needed in the community, however there is some valid information from neighbors that this is a residential area and that the expansion proposed is too much. This building was Board of Adjustment June 15, 2016 Page 7 of 12 just a church, which is very different from a daily daycare. If the site was larger or if the buildings and parking area were arranged differently it might be more appropriate. Weitzel stated he would have a problem with voting for a small increase in capacity that cannot be achieved due to financial limitations. A certain density will be needed to financially allow for the improvements to the church basement and alterations for accessibility. Weitzel moved for the approval of EXC16-00003, discussion of an application for a special exception submitted on behalf of the King of Glory Church to allow expansion of 64 children to an existing daycare center located in the Low Density Single -Family (RS -5) zone at 2024 G Street and 931 Third Avenue. Goeb seconded the motion. Goeb stated regarding agenda item EXC16-00003 she finds that under the general standards #2 the proposed exception would be injurious to the use and enjoyment of other property in the immediate vicinity. From the testimony of the neighbors it has been shown that it has impinged on their enjoyment and has been injurious and would only get worse with increasing the capacity of the daycare. Soglin seconded that finding and also stated that with regards to general standards #1 the specific proposed exception will be detrimental to or endanger the public health, safety, comfort or general welfare. She feels there would be significant safety issues to increase the daycare size in this location. Weitzel concurred with the finding that general standard #2 is not met based on the testimony that the noise has affected quality of life issues for the neighboring residents. A vote was taken and the motion was denied 0-4. Baker stated the motion declared denied, any person who wishes to appeal this decision to a court of record may do so within 30 days after this decision is filed with the City Clerk's Office. SPECIAL EXCEPTION ITEM (EXC16-00004): Discussion of an application submitted on behalf of Little Creations Academy to allow the establishment of a daycare center in the Low Density Single -Family (RS -5) zone at 2929 East Court Street. Walz began the staff report showing an aerial photo of the property, noting that since that photo had been taken a couple of duplexes have been constructed close to the property at each corner. The property is in a residential zone, however the site is considerably larger than the previous application. The daycare would be in the lower level of the church, it is more of a garden level than basement. The parking lot is not conforming in that it does not have the required setback or appropriate screening. The designated play area the applicant has proposed would wrap around the back portion of the property where the entrance is located. Walz explained that there is more than ample parking for a daycare, even if some spots were removed to bring the parking lot into compliance, they could make up for the lost spots by restriping and adding compact spaces. Staff is recommending moving the play area away from Board of Adjustment June 15, 2016 Page 8 of 12 the neighboring property lines and adding a fence and hedging to mitigate noise and for screening. The applicant is proposing to start the daycare with 16 children but the intent is to grow to 42 children. The interior floor plan shows there is adequate square footage for the 42 children, and the play area (outdoor playground) is also adequate. Walz noted that the vehicular situation is appropriate due to the two curb cuts into the parking area and more than adequate parking and for stacking of vehicles during drop-off and pick-up times. With regards to pedestrian circulation there are two sidewalks that lead from the site to the street. With regards to general standard #2 and being sensitive to the residential properties the play area is suggested to be constructed at least 20 feet from where the houses property lines are and the addition of privacy fencing and additional screening. Staff recommends approval of EXC16-00004, a special exception to allow the establishment of a daycare center for up to 42 children on property located in the Low Density Single -Family (RS-5)zone at 2929 E. Court Street subject to the following conditions: Substantial compliance with the site plan submitted with some modification to the play area location, shifting the northern boundary south 15-20 feet south to allow greater separation between the daycare use and the adjacent residential dwelling to the east. Hours of operation shall be limited to 7:00 AM until 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Retain the shrubs along the east side of the outdoor play area and install privacy fence in this area (a 5-6 foot solid fence). Establish the required 10 -foot setback between the parking area and sidewalk on Raven Street and install low (S2) shrub screening as required by code. Install 4-5 small trees along the west side of the parking lot to serve as screening forthe parking area. Establish required bicycle parking. A building permit is required in order to establish the use Goeb questioned if neighbors were notified as well as the signs regarding the special exception being posted. Walz said letters were sent to property owners within 300 feet of any portion of the Church property. She did note that the sign was taken from the property and not replaced. Goeb stated her concern that the sign was not on the property for the required time period. Dulek noted that neither the State Code nor the City Code require notifications, it is part of the operations manual. Soglin asked about the parking lots and Walz stated the lots were ample enough for vehicular circulation and turn -around. Baker asked the applicant to come forward to address and answer questions of the Board. Anthony Smith (3715 Banar Avenue SW, Cedar Rapids) pastor for the New Creations International Church. Board of Adjustment June 15, 2016 Page 9 of 12 Baker asked if Smith had any questions or concerns regarding the Staff report. Smith stated that with regards to the Staff recommendation to add 4-5 trees along the west side of the property, there is already one large tree there so feels adding 2 additional trees would be sufficient. Soglin asked Smith about the hours of operation. Smith said they prefer to open at 6:30 a.m. to service those that have to be at work at 7:00 a.m. Walz stated that it would be fine to update the hours of operation to 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., they just need to be defined reasonably. Goeb asked if they anticipate the density to go above 42 children. Smith said they cannot due to the square footage available. He added that they will be starting with 16 children to make sure the program is operating efficiently with 16 children before adding additional children and staff. Soglin asked what the timeline is for increasing from 16 children to capacity of 42. Smith said that progression would be based on their proficiency and what the director and staff can accommodate. Soglin asked about fencing around the playground area. She asked if Smith would be willing to do fencing higher than 4 feet. Smith doesn't believe the higher fencing is necessary due to the sloping of the property. Goeb questioned the fencing along Court Street and the property to the east stating it should be solid material to help mitigate noise. Baker agreed, sharing the concern about noise. Stating that having a solid fence and higher than 4 feet is necessary to help mitigate noise. Soglin questioned the large tree on the property and safety issues if portions of the tree are overgrown. Smith stated that DHS liked the tree on the property because it provided natural shade. They chose the area for the playground because of the natural shade from the tree, the building and the tall bushes. Smith also noted that he sent out a notification about this special exception hearing via his app "Nextdoor" which has a large number of followers from the east side of Iowa City. He only received positive feedback. Goeb asked where Smith anticipates the children to come from, the congregation families, or the neighborhood. Smith said the daycare was always in their plans, and it will be open to all families. Goeb asked what the timetable for the opening of the daycare would be. Smith said they had originally hoped for the end of June, but are still working through all these meetings and DHS requirements. Soglin shared concern about 42 children on the playground. Smith said that they won't all be on the playground. They are starting with 16 children, ages 3-5. When they begin to add more children they will be younger, and infants will never be on the playground. Baker opened the public hearing Board of Adjustment June 15, 2016 Page 10 of 12 Seeing no one, Baker closed the public hearing. Weitzel noted that with the proximity to residential areas the privacy fence is needed but other than that feel the application is acceptable. Baker said they will want to specify which sides of the playground will need the solid fence, the north and east. Additionally specify the height of the fence to be 6 feet. Soglin moves to approve of EXC16-00004, a special exception to allow the establishment of a daycare center for up to 42 children on property location in the Low Density Single -Family (RS-5)zone at 2929 E. Court Street subject to the following conditions: Substantial compliance with the site plan submitted with some modification to the play area location, shifting the northern boundary south 15-10 to allow greater separation between the daycare use and the adjacent residence to the east. Hours of operation shall be limited to 6:30 AM until 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Retain the shrubs along the east side of the outdoor play area and install a 6 foot solid privacy fence on the north and east sides of this area. Establish the required 10 -foot setback between the parking area and sidewalk on Raven Street and install low (S2) shrub screening as required by code. Install 2-3 small trees along the west side of the parking lot to serve as screening forthe parking area. Establish required bicycle parking. A building permit is required in order to establish the use. Goeb seconded the motion. Soglin stated regarding agenda item EXC16-00004 she concurs with the findings set forth in the Staff Report of June 15, 2016 and conclude the general and specific criteria are satisfied unless amended or opposed by another Board member she recommends that the Board adopt the findings in the Staff Report as our findings with acceptance of this proposal. Soglin also noted the applicant has met the general criteria regarding not being injurious to neighbors and has followed DHS guidelines and worked conscientiously with neighbors and Staff to meet all criteria. A vote was taken and the motion passed 4-0. Baker stated the motion declared approved, any person who wishes to appeal this decision to a court of record may do so within 30 days after this decision is filed with the City Clerk's Office. Board of Adjustment June 15, 2016 Page 11 of 12 OTHER: EXC16-00002: Approval of the decision to allow a Rooftop Service Area for property located in the Central Business District (CB -10) zone at 115 and 117 Iowa Avenue. Walz explained that this was a new special exception for the City and in explaining it she made an error stating live entertainment was not allowed when what is disallowed by Code is live entertainment using amplified sound. The City Attorney recommended bringing this topic back to the Board to clarify what the Code allows. Walz clarified that amplified sound is only allowed by a temporary use permit. No amplified sound is allowed for live performance. Goeb stated she would be okay with allowing the live entertainment, so long as no amplified sound is used. Baker agreed, live performances (without amplified sound) should be allowed. Goeb moved to approve EXC16-00002 without the prohibition on live entertainment. Weitzel seconded the motion. A vote was taken and passed 3-0 (Soglin abstained due to missing the meeting where the original vote was taken). 3�71�i1�]ylaIII-till ��i1�13�T:7'Jll�l[�7.F Baker said that he had requested a copy of the Rooftop Service Areas ordinance because he questioned why the Board has the right to review sound and other issues on all other special exceptions but not this one. After reading the ordinance he is still unclear why an interpretation was made that precluded the Board from discussing amplified sound, especially since other criteria refer to sound—such as the requirement for a sound mitigation plan. Baker believes the Board should request clarification from the Council as to why the Board is barred from discussing sound particular to just this one special exception. Dulek said it was not likely the Council would respond and that perhaps the Board should ask for clarification from Staff first as to why they recommended this ordinance to Council this way. Goeb echoed Baker's confusion and said it was not consistent. By consensus the Board agreed to ask for clarification on the interpretation of the ordinance. ADJOURNMENT: Weitzel moved to adjourn. A vote was taken and the motion passed 4-0. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT ATTENDANCE RECORD NAME TERM EXP. 8/12 9/14 10/14 12/16 1/13 2/17 3/9 4/13 6/15 BAKER, LARRY 1/112017 X X X X X O/E X X X GOEB, CONNIE 1/1/2020 X X X X X X X X X GRENIS, BROCK 1/1/2016 X X O/E X -- CHRISCHILLES, T. GENE 1/1/2019 X X X X X X X X O/E SOGLIN, BECKY 1/1/2018 X X X X X X X O/E X WEITZEL, TIM 1/1/2021 - X X X X KEY: X = Present 0 = Absent 0/E = Absent/Excused — = Not a Member IP19 EDC July 12, 2016 PRELIMINARY MINUTES CITY COUNCIL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE JULY 12, 2016 EMMA HARVAT HALL, CITY HALL, 12:00 P.M. Members Present: Rockne Cole, Susan Mims, Jim Throgmorton Staff Present: Geoff Fruin, Wendy Ford, Eleanor Dilkes Others Present: Rebecca Neades (Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce); Karen Garritson (National Development Council); Tom Banta (Iowa City Area Development Group); Michelle Kenyon (Program Director, Field to Family); RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: None CALL MEETING TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Mims at 12:02 P.M. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of the June 14, 2016, Economic Development meeting were reviewed Throgmorton moved to approve the minutes as presented. Cole seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0. CONSIDER REQUEST FROM FIELD TO FAMILY FOR FUNDING: Ford addressed the Members regarding the request from Field to Family for two pieces of funding. One is for $5,000 for the upcoming Field to Family Festival in September, and the other is for $20,000 for next fiscal year. Ford noted that Field to Family is an organization that focuses promoting local food production, connecting local food producers with local food consumers, helping educate the community about healthy foods, and also bringing that education to as many sections of the community as possible. Staff believes that the mission of Field to Family is a good one. Ford noted that staff first looked at sources for this funding. One possibility would be the Local Foods Initiatives funding, which is the new $25,000 fund that Council allocated for such programs. However, after review, Ford noted that Field to Family had already received $5,000 for an upcoming community dinner downtown. They are working with the Downtown District, the County, and local restaurants to produce this dinner. The Local Foods Initiatives funding requirements are that they are to be used in connection with the County's efforts in local foods initiatives. Because the Field to Family Festival was not working with the County and because Field to Family is the beneficiary of the funds raised at the downtown community dinner, staff did not believe that these funds to be an appropriate source funding for this specific request. EDC July 12, 2016 2 PRELIMINARY Ford noted the Local Foods Initiatives fund noted also put up $5,000 that was used in conjunction with the County on a program called 'double up bucks,' a program that helps people on the SNAP program buy food at the Farmers Market. The second source of possible funding considered was the Economic Development Opportunity fund, replenished each year with $100,000. This fund has been used more for specific, jobs - related incentives and she gave examples of past funding requests. Because the request did not fit the requirements of the local foods initiative fund or the purpose of the Economic Development Opportunity fund, staff could not recommend approving the request. Ford noted that although staff is not recommending this funding request, Michelle Kenyon is here to speak with Members, to help explain the nature of Field to Family and their offerings to the community. She added that staff believes this to be the start of a conversation — between Field to Family, the City, and the County — and that going forward they would like to see what type of funding can be awarded. Members then asked some questions of Ford, asking if there was a particular program in the past where this type of funding would have come from. Fruin stated that historically they probably would have looked at the community event funding for something like this. Michelle Kenyon then addressed Members. She noted that the request was meant to start a conversation and she thanked everyone for the opportunity to speak today. She gave Members some history of Field to Family, noting that they are very much a grassroots organization. Kenyon spoke about their collaboration with the County, noting the opportunities this has afforded them, such as grant writing and bringing other partners into the picture. Mims asked if any effort has been made to reach out to other municipalities within Johnson County. Kenyon stated that in 2017 they will be doing this, but that they have been working primarily in Iowa City so far. Mims stated that she encourages Field to Family to reach out to these other communities within the County to help with needed funding. Throgmorton then spoke to the request for $20,000 for the upcoming fiscal year. He stated that he is intrigued by what Field to Family is doing, and he spoke to having such festivals as this being held along the riverfront. He believes this could connect initiatives like water quality and the local food economy to better educate people in the community. Cole stated that he is a huge fan of this and he agrees that this needs to be the start of a conversation. He would like to see a fund set up with clear guidelines so that requests such as this could be considered in the future. Mims agreed with Cole, stating that they are getting more and more requests from non -profits and that they need to find a way to do seed funding, as suggested, to help these organizations get started so they can grow to be independent. STAFF REPORT: Ford stated that they have been working on getting the policy focus group meetings set up. The first focus group meeting was held two weeks ago, with Mims present, according to Ford. She noted that they did receive a lot of feedback from this meeting. The second focus group meets tomorrow, with Throgmorton schedule to attend. Ford then shared the survey questions that are being sent out for each focus group to answer. Ford then noted that the next EDC meeting will be August 5, 2016 COMMITTEE TIME: EDC July 12, 2016 3 PRELIMINARY None. OTHER BUSINESS: None. ADJOURNMENT: Cole moved to adjourn the meeting at 12:35 P.M. Throgmorton seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. EDC July 12, 2016 4 PRELIMINARY Council Economic Development Committee ATTENDANCE RECORD 2016 Key: X = Present O = Absent O/E = Absent/Excused TERM p N NAME EXP. JJ 0 Ol J 01 J O! 01 Ol Rockne Cole 01/02/18 X X X X X Susan Mims 01/02/18 X X X X X Jim 01/02/18 X X X X X Throgmorton Key: X = Present O = Absent O/E = Absent/Excused MINUTES PRELIMINARY HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION JUNE 9, 2016 EMMA J. HARVAT HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Thomas Agran, Esther Baker, Zach Builta, Sharon DeGraw, Cecile Kuenzli, Pam Michaud, Ben Sandell, Ginalie Swaim, Frank Wagner MEMBERS ABSENT: Gosia Clore, Andrew Litton STAFF PRESENT: Jessica Bristow, Bob Miklo OTHERS PRESENT: Chuck Felling, Margaret Felling RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: (become effective only after separate Council action) CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Swaim called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Swaim welcomed Kuenzli, as a representative of the Summit Street Historic District, to the Commission. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANYTHING NOT ON THE AGENDA: There was none. CERTIFICATES OF APPROPRIATENESS: 829 South 7th Avenue. Bristow said this is a new construction project in the Dearborn Street Conservation District. She said the lot has never had a house on it and has always been empty. Bristow said the neighborhood has some Craftsman -style bungalows, and that is one of the house styles that the guidelines talk about as appropriate for this district. She said it is also the style that matched the applicant's original design. Bristow said staff worked with the applicant to finesse the design in that direction. She said that staff looked at other properties that were also Craftsman bungalows, one in Longfellow and one in Manville Heights, as examples of the style that also had some similarities to the original design. Bristow said the design is for a single -story house with a basement and a front concrete porch with tapered piers in the Craftsman style, which will be elevated enough above grade to require a couple of steps. She said that the windows are all separated in the historic way. Bristow said the house would have double hung windows. She stated that the divided light in the top would have the three different sections, per the Craftsman style. Bristow said it would have a Craftsman -style door. Bristow said the current design utilizes vinyl siding, which there is an exception for with new construction in this district. She said a vinyl shingled siding area is proposed for the gable ends. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION June 9, 2016 Page 2 0£ 13 Bristow said the applicant has requested that the Commission consider approving a product called Miratec, a treated exterior composite material trim, to be used pretty much in all the locations where there is trim. She said there is a smooth side to the material. Bristow said that for any of the trim that the guidelines require to be wood, especially when using vinyl siding, the applicant would like to use the Miratec product. Bristow said the roof would have two -foot overhangs on the ends, in the Craftsman style. She said that a roof vent has been added. Bristow said that there was kind of a long side elevation on the initial plan. She said staff worked with the applicant to add a bump out with a window on each side to break up the length and span of that facade. Bristow showed the porch projection. She said the grade changes a little bit so that the applicant needs to get the zero step entry in the back. Bristow showed the small kitchen window, which would be typical in this style of house. Bristow stated that the site plan will have to be slightly modified. She said the original plan had a 15 -foot setback, and in this district, all of the houses on this street have twenty -foot setbacks. Bristow said the house will have to be moved back five feet, but she does not think that will make a significant difference in the site plan, as there is 24 feet available to make that up in the back. Bristow said the original site plan was sloping the site and using the sidewalk between the garage and the house to come up with the zero -step entry in the back. She said the proposal is for a two -car garage. Bristow said the garage doors would be two single, separated garage doors, as the guidelines request. She said the single window on the garage and the door match the windows and doors on the house. Bristow said the windows would also be vinyl, and staff has worked with the applicant to come up with a darker color, instead of white. They will be a painted vinyl window. She stated that staff has also worked with the applicant regarding the color of the siding and trim to be more of the earth tones that would be seen on a Craftsman bungalow. Bristow provided the GIS map, showing the neighboring house to the north, which is a bungalow, and the garage that is entered from the street. She showed another house on the other side of the lot, which is more of a Cape Cod -style home, with a garage that is entered from the back. Bristow said that the footprint of the proposed house is not any larger than the other houses in the neighborhood. She said that the house to the north, since it has a sunroom on the back, is a little more broken up than the footprint might lead one to believe. Bristow said the shingles would be laminated shingles, which is an asphalt and fiberglass material. She said they will look just like asphalt shingles, and staff has discussed using a light brown color instead of the very light gray to white. Bristow said the proposal meets all of the requirements for the surface area of the front elevation of the house and in fact has less than half of the maximum for this district. She said the area and this street tend to generally have smaller homes, and this seems to fit within that scale. Bristow said that the gutters are not shown on the drawing, but the house will have typical K - style gutters. She said that the top of the siding on the pier bases on the front columns will have a trim piece across, instead of just the small piece that is shown. Bristow said that otherwise, HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION June 9, 2016 Page 3 of 13 working with the applicant on the color scheme is the only thing that has not been presented at this point. Regarding the columns on the front porch that taper, Swaim asked if they would taper that severely. Bristow said staff was looking at something like this one on another house in the Longfellow District for the idea of the taper. She said it will be a square column. Bristow said the kind of taper is what the designer drew and what staff encouraged. Swaim said she agrees that the taper and the square taper seems correct. She said it just seems quite narrow at the top compared to the base. Wagner agreed that it does look a little small. He said one thing needed at the top where it does taper is a captial, as one sees across the top, that is probably an inch, so the taper is on the same plane as that header going across. Wagner said then there is a cap on top that hangs over about an inch or inch and one-half all the way around that breaks that up a little bit. Kuenzli asked about the number of windows on the back side, saying there are no windows on the back and none on one of the other sides. Bristow showed where there is a window and showed an area where there are closets on the interior and therefore not a space for a window. She showed where there is a bathroom so the applicant would typically not put a window. Kuenzli asked what happened between the top drawing where there are four windows and the bottom window where there are only two windows. Bristow said it is the other side of the house. She showed where there is a living space so there can be extra window and also showed a stair area. Miklo said the original drawings that were submitted showed two windows on the back and only one window on the side. He said that when discussing this with the applicant, staff felt that adding windows to the side, which are more visible to the neighbors and to the street, was appropriate. Miklo stated that the applicant has a limited budget and, in terms of the floor plan, wanted to make sure there was a wall space for a headboard. He said staff suggested a clerestory window in the back, but the applicant did not include that for budgeting reasons. Kuenzli asked what the cost difference is between using vinyl siding and using hardi-plank. Bristow said she did not have that information. Regarding the vinyl siding, Wagner said if one uses vinyl siding, usually one has vinyl corners and a J -channel and F -channel at the top. Referring to the columns, he said that if they are going to put this up, they are still going to have to put a J -channel here (along the corners). Bristow said that is correct. She said the guidelines specify that any of the trim has to be wood or a wood replacement material instead of vinyl. Bristow said she does not know if the applicant is accustomed to putting the vinyl around the corner instead of a trim piece. Bristow said staff worked with the applicant to have more of an historic character. Wagner said that whatever one has, on the face of the house with the five -quarter board around the doors, windows, and corner, that piece across the top, and across the top of the columns, each one of those things will have to have a J -channel to tuck back high-quality vinyl siding. He said he did not know the difference in cost between vinyl and hard! -plank. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION June 9, 2016 Page 4 of 13 Agran stated that the applicant is allowed to use vinyl siding here. He said that although this is odd and almost looks like a retrofit job, they are allowed to do it. Agran said the addition of trim is a good thing. He said that because they are allowed to use the vinyl, he sees no issue with it, although it would not be his choice. Miklo said that staff discussed the benefits of cement board siding with the applicant. He said the applicant was unwilling to use the cement board because of the budget. Michaud said staff did well, considering what this started with. She said that the overhangs and the shingles on the face in the front gables make it look good. Miklo said that if the look of the piers is a concern, it is a detail staff can work with the applicant on to find the actual dimensions of the other columns in the neighborhood and replicate that. He said that, as well as the capital piece, could be a condition of approval. Kuenzli said she knows it is allowed, but if this ends up looking like a retrofit, it is highly unlikely that even in 50 years the owner of the house will be able to afford to replace the vinyl with a more suitable siding. She asked if the Commission needed to consider the long-term appearance of the house. Swaim said yes, but this is something that is allowed in conservation districts. She said at some point the Commission could look at look at that particular criterion again for conservation districts. Bristow said the applicant probably gets its siding in very large bulk quantities that it uses from project to project. She said the difference would probably be outright buying cement board siding for the project because of the way they tend to do their buildings. Margaret Felling said she lives next door to this site. She said they really don't have any objections at all to this except that the lot itself, when it rains hard, has flooded a lot there over time. Margaret Felling said the drawings show the bedrooms in the downstairs area, and she would worry about flooding there. She said she does not know what the applicant plans to use for fill in the lot or for drainage. Margaret Felling said it is higher toward the Seventh Avenue side, and the lot tapers back toward the alley. She said her concern mostly is about how the lot will be filled and where will the water that has been such a problem go. Bristow said that when staff visited the site, they noticed that the Fellings' sump pump was working when it hadn't rained for about a week, so obviously there was water there at that point. She said staff immediately told the applicant that it seems like there might be at least a high water table or a water issue, and the applicant would need to figure out how the water would be dealt with, because of the fact that there would be bedrooms in the basement. Bristow said the applicant did not know that in advance but does at least know that now. She said she does not know how the applicant plans to address water on the site, but since Margaret Felling has voiced her concern, she will reinforce that to the applicant. Regarding the grading, Bristow said that originally the house was going to sit at grade. She stated that all of these bungalows really are raised up and have some kind of porch and step. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION June 9, 2016 Page 5 of 13 Bristow said staff talked to the applicant about the fact that staff really wanted to have the front porch out of the ground. Bristow said it did not matter if the zero step entry is at the back, staff just wanted to make sure the front was out. Bristow said the applicant will have to re -grade the property so that it is higher in the back and lower in the front - the exact opposite of the way it is now. She added that the water is going to tend to come toward the street side from now on. Bristow said she does not know if the alley itself is going to end up at a point that is lower or higher than the grade, but she thinks that the goal is to just use the material on site to come up with the change in the grade. Margaret Felling said that the people who live across the alley have a back yard that is quite a bit lower than the height of the alley. She said that if it goes to the street that is one thing, but if it spills over to other people's back yard, that's another. Bristow said she can make the applicant aware of that. She said she thinks the applicant's goal is to not necessarily add anything to raise the site. Bristow said the lot is lower than the house on the south side's lot. She said she thinks the applicant will try to make most of the water come toward the front instead of the back. Bristow said the change in grade will not be large - about two steps. She said that there are currently about two steps of change just going in the opposite direction. Chuck Felling said he has concerns and asked about the grade level entrance to the back. He said that both entrances to his home are at least three or four steps up from ground level. Chuck Felling said he is concerned about the water problem and mentioned this to the Habitat people when they first purchased the lot. Chuck Felling said he is also concerned about the access windows to the basement and if there is some kind of fencing around them to keep people from stepping into that area. Bristow responded that the City Code requires that new construction have zero step entry in one of the entries. She said the applicant cannot raise the house out of the ground as far as the Fellings' house would be, or they would have to excessively ramp their sidewalk to get to a zero step entry at one of the locations. Bristow said that the basement egress windows will have window wells. She said the guidelines require that they are constructed with the same material as the foundation walls, so it will be poured concrete. Bristow said that at this point, there isn't anything in the guidelines about screening them or putting a guard over them. She said if there is a walkway or sidewalk from the front to the back, they can put something over the window well, but it has to be something that the Fire Department allows for any occupants to be able to lift to get out in case of a fire. Bristow said staff has worked with some other properties to come up with something to use in that case. She said at this point there isn't a plan to put some kind of guard over those entries. Chuck Felling said the family that is going to be moving in has several small children, so he wondered about that. Bristow said the City Code has guidelines about how high the window well can be without actually having a ladder, so it will be made safe for the occupants to get out in an emergency. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION June 9, 2016 Page 6 of 13 Sandell said it seems like the site would lean toward a two-story house, rather than the basement living condition. He asked if that was ever considered during the design process or if it would not fit into context of the neighborhood. Bristow replied that the applicant came to the City ready to build, not knowing that the property is in a district. She said the design was fairly set at that point. Bristow said she does not know if it was a matter of needing a basement anyway and being less expensive to just put all the bedrooms in the basement instead of building a second story. Sandell asked why a basement would be needed anyway. Bristow replied that she does not know if the applicant would typically put a basement or a slab under a house like this. Miklo stated that he believes Habitat for Humanity has a standard model. He said that many times there is not a basement at all, but the house is on a slab. Miklo said that, depending on the size of the family, the design may be based on the bedrooms or the basement may be designed for bedrooms. He said he would guess that the applicant did not consider a two-story house but wanted to build its standard model, and staff let the applicant know that would not work in this district. Sandell said he has the same concerns as the residents, in that if the basement, where everyone is living, is flooded, where is everyone going to go. Miklo stated that Bristow raised that concern with the applicant at the first meeting. Sandell said that staff can raise that concern, but the applicant may still build a house that would have this issue. Miklo said that in terms of the preservation guidelines, that is not within the Commission's purview. Sandell asked if there is anything that would require the applicant to put in a French drain system and all of that ahead of time to alleviate any concerns. Bristow said she does not know what the Building Code specifies. Sandell said that although it is not a preservation issue, it is certainly a health and safety issue. Miklo said that staff can certainly reiterate to the applicant that it is a concern raised by the Commission. Michaud said that mold is also a concern, and Kuenzli said that radon is also an issue. Miklo said the applicant would have to have it mitigated. Bristow said she believes that the mechanical room in the basement includes a radon pit. Sandell said he thinks the assumption is correct that this is the standard design, and the applicant wanted to build from that. He said that one could just as easily find a kind of pre - designed house that may suit this site better without a whole lot of extra costs and design. Sandell said maybe staff could suggest this again to the developer. Kuenzli asked if this house would be the same height as the adjacent houses. She said that one would not want a two-story house here if it would stick way up above the houses next to it. Miklo said he thinks it will be slightly lower. Chuck Felling said that most of the houses in the neighborhood do have an upstairs. He said there are houses in the neighborhood that have bedrooms on the second floor, so there is no problem with height. Swaim said that, even though there is not a preservation angle, there is enough concern by the neighbors on behalf of the new owners and the Commission, to have a conversation specifically HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION June 9, 2016 Page 7 of 13 about drainage so that everyone is totally aware of this and what options there might be to remedy that. Michaud said that if there is a two-car garage to allow for storage, perhaps the applicant could get by with a slab instead of a basement and save money on excavation that way to put in a second floor. Swaim said that there is a plan before the Commission right now so that a motion will be required. MOTION: Agran moved to approve a certificate of appropriateness for the project at 829 South Seventh Avenue, as presented in the staff report, pending staff approval of the final porch column design. Baker seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 9-0 (Clore, and Litton absent). REPORTS ON CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY CHAIR AND STAFF: Intermediate Review 225 North Lucas Street. Bristow said this property is in the Goosetown/Horace Mann Conservation District. She said the house has what looks like a front porch that is probably actually a deck that was later closed in. Bristow said the siding is T111 siding that went all the way to the ground and began to rot. Bristow said the owners propose to cut the siding up to the deck floor, cover the area where the deck structure is, paint some of the extra structure black so it wouldn't show, create kind of fake masonry piers in the corners, install skirting below it and a water table-type trim. She said the intent was to make it look more like a porch, with the idea that at some point in the future, the owners might continue to make it look more like a porch as money allows. Certificate of No Material Effect - Chair and Staff Review 707 Rundell Street . Bristow said this house in the Longfellow District has stucco piers on the porch columns. She said the footings needed to be replaced on both of them. Bristow said one of the stucco piers is deteriorating, so it will probably need to be reconstructed. She said the contractor has done other porch pier reconstructions in stucco and does an excellent job. Bristow said that this project may come before the Commission for other items, including the stair design. Miklo pointed out how severe the taper is on the bottom of the piers. 917 Bowery Street. Bristow said this is the Price-Swisher House. She said the owner has applied for tax credits on the house. Bristow said the house was reroofed and has new gutters. She said the stone foundation is deteriorating and is being stabilized and re-tuckpointed. Bristow said that much of the trim is HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION June 9, 2016 Page 8 of 13 being repaired and replaced. She said it is kind of a Gothic revival house, but it doesn't really have Gothic revival details. Bristow said it has an interesting detail that the owners are working to replicate as they can. Bristow said staff has been working with the owners to continue the work as far as they can. She said that the house needs to have shutters repaired and replaced, siding repaired, and other porch materials repaired. Bristow said this is just the first step. Minor Review - Preapproved Item - Staff Review 932-936 Dearborn Street. Bristow said this is a duplex in the Dearborn Street Conservation District. She said the building has fallen into great disrepair. Bristow said it will have all new vinyl windows and all new vinyl siding. Miklo said that is allowed, because this is a non -historic property. 518 North Van Buren. Bristow said there are a few different projects on this house that have probably already occurred. She stated that the stair and deck to the second floor, which provides egress to an apartment, is being rebuilt. Bristow said it will meet the guidelines as far as being painted or stained, and where all of the railing now goes parallel to the run of the stairs, there will be the typical railing design that meets the guidelines. Bristow said there will be spindles between a top and bottom rail and intermediate newel posts. 914 South Dubuque Street. Bristow said this is the Tate Arms, a local historic landmark. She said the building has been worked on in various ways recently. Bristow stated that the porch roof has been reconstructed, and the soffits have new bead board material in them. Bristow said that the front door is a masonry opening. She said that this is a brick building that was stuccoed over a long time ago. Bristow said there is a recessed masonry opening that had just a single, steel door in it without any windows at all. Bristow said staff worked with the owner to create a window surround that would be more fitting with the architectural character. She said that some of the interior infill prevents the sidelights and transom from actually being vision glazing that one could see through. Bristow said staff has worked with the owner to put in spandrel glass, which is a black glass. She said it is not painted on but is permanently black that cannot be seen through. Bristow said that lets the windows exist and look like windows from the outside, but there is a wall behind them. Bristow said the door will have a window in it. She showed where there is another door in the back of the porch that will have the same door but no sidelights or transom. Bristow said that on the side wall under the porch there is a window infill that is not original but is sized down from the original opening. She said there is a wall behind this window as well. Bristow said staff worked with the owners to come up with spandrel glass, and the owners did not really do what was discussed originally. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION June 9, 2016 Page 9 of 13 Bristow said now the owners are going to take the infill out completely and put two double hung windows side by side in that opening with the space in between them. She said they will put spandrel glass in the windows, so the windows will be sealed shut permanently, as will the back door, as there is a wall behind it. Bristow stated that from the outside, this will have more of its historic character than it currently does, while the interior has been remodeled. Kuenzli asked if the spandrel windows would not admit any light. Bristow said they would not. She said there is a wall behind the windows, so they are closed off anyway. DISCUSSION OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLAN PRIORITIES AND ANNUAL WORK PROGRAM: Miklo said that last year, the Commission identified a number of landmarks that would be a priority to designate over the year. He said that for various reasons, that project was delayed, and then the house move came along, and staff was not able to put any time into it. Miklo said that at this point, staff would suggest picking up from there and making that the priority for this year as well. Miklo said there were several meetings of a subcommittee formed to identify such properties. He stated that they were based on, for the most part, going through the survey areas outside the historic and conservation districts and identifying National Register eligible properties. Miklo discussed the properties: one on Dubuque Street where the Commission may want to designate a small historic district that would include some properties to the west of this one or a conservation district. He said he believes it will be difficult to get this one building as a landmark, so the Commission might want to give a little more consideration to it. Miklo discussed and showed several properties that are all clearly eligible projects based on architectural and history. He showed a property on Old Dubuque Road that he would suggest be taken off the list, simply because it is in an area that is not threatened. Miklo said that given the amount of work involved in getting properties designated, it may be better to leave this property off and focus on the other properties. Miklo showed several properties around the Fox Head. He said that one of them is already a landmark, so there is already precedent in that area. Miklo showed several properties in Goosetown. He suggested that these might be a lower priority also, given that these properties really are not threatened and have some zoning protections that make them less likely to be removed. Miklo said staff will need some help in meeting with property owners. He said that staff suggests meeting with each individual property owner ahead of time to let him or her know what the proposal is and the benefits of having the property designated a landmark. Miklo said it can be explained how the regulatory consequences work and how they are not necessarily so onerous. Swaim said the subcommittee may want to have a catch-up meeting to review the list and see where things are. She said the subcommittee is beginning to compile information and a brief narrative on each property, which could be sent to the property owner. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION June 9, 2016 Page 10 of 13 Swaim said the subcommittee consisted of Baker, Sandell, and herself and two people no longer on the Commission. DeGraw volunteered to serve on the subcommittee. Swaim said she would set up a meeting and notify everyone. Agran asked about the property on Cedar Street. He said the house is in sort of its original context in a really rare way. He asked if, when the house is protected, if the owner is amenable to that, does that mean that the whole property is protected. Miklo said it does apply to the whole property. He said that any construction on the property, if it is a landmark, would require review by the Commission. Miklo said there are some incentives in the ordinance so that if someone has a large parcel like this, zoning would allow the clustering of development away from the house in a smaller area and may allow a small apartment building versus single-family houses in the area as a way of clustering development. Miklo said a good example of that applying would be the Collister Farmstead on Gilbert Street. He said there is a brick house just across from Napoleon Park. Miklo said the Commission reviewed the new house on that property that was in the style of a barn that was destroyed by a tornado. Swaim said she will e-mail the subcommittee members and Alicia Trimble to find a time to meet in the next couple of weeks. Michaud said that one of the houses is across from the Hill Top, and the owners are thinking of selling. She said it would be great to see it repurposed. Agran said the house has an historic person associated with it. Miklo said it may be more significant because of its architecture and elaborate detailing. He said it is zoned single-family. Miklo said the zoning code does provide some incentives, and some uses that would not otherwise be allowed in residential zone could possibly occur with this property if it is a landmark, for example an inn similar to a bed and breakfast could occur here. He said that, as opposed to a bed and breakfast, the owner of an inn does not have to live on the property. Miklo said there are a few other commercial -like uses that could go in, if a property is a landmark. He said that is the point of meeting with the owners, to discuss some incentives to doing this. CLG GRANT APPLICATION: Swaim said the Commission received a letter from Friends of Historic Preservation regarding its belief that the survey of the downtown needs to be updated. Miklo said CLG stands for Certified Local Government. He said that the Commission is eligible for federal and state grants to carry out preservation work. Miklo said that in the past, the Preservation Plan was funded by a CLG grant. He said that the surveys of several of the neighborhoods were funded by CLG grants as were the National Register nominations of several of the historic districts. Miklo said that Friends of Historic Preservation has submitted a request that the Commission apply for a grant this year to update the downtown survey. He said the survey was originally HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION June 9, 2016 Page 11 of 13 done in 2000-2001, and it did determine that a large portion of downtown is eligible for a National Register district. Miklo stated that designation was not pursued at the time. He said there was not a real interest on the part of property owners. Miklo said the goal of the application would be to review that survey and update it, with the idea of pursuing an historic district, conservation district, or possible landmark status to provide some protection to the historic resources downtown. Swaim asked about the deadline for the grant. Miklo said he believes the deadline is in September. Swaim said she thinks this is an important thing to get done. She stated that a lot has changed downtown in 15 years. Michaud said there are a lot of teardowns in Manville Heights now. Swaim said there is a survey for Manville Heights. Miklo said that survey was done in 2009-2010. He said he does not think that a conservation district would be a possibility there, based on the code. Miklo stated that if an area is eligible for a National Register district or for an historic district, then one cannot do a conservation district. He said the State wanted it that way in that it did not want communities to cop out and do the softer version of a district versus an historic district if an area qualified. Miklo said the larger areas of Manville Heights do qualify for an historic district. He said that, similar to downtown, the Commission's position was that if a number of property owners of the neighborhood wanted to pursue district status, the Commission would work with them to do that. Miklo said that did not occur. He said that because of recent teardowns and infill development, there is some interest in pursuing an historic district on the part of some neighbors, but there is also quite a bit of opposition. Miklo said staff has offered to meet with interested residents and property owners to dispel misinformation. He said the ball is in their court. Miklo said the Commission could initiate an historic district itself, but that is much more difficult and politically more difficult to achieve if there is not some interest on the part of the neighborhood. Miklo said there were a number of neighborhood meetings throughout the neighborhood that were very well attended back in 2010 after the survey was finished. He said the most recent contact was from people talking to staff or Commission members. Miklo said staff relayed information to them, and they are having their own internal discussion. Michaud said that there has been a teardown of a 1,700 -square foot bungalow, and the new owners are proposing to build a 7,400 -square foot house that seems to be on a commercial scale. Miklo said the Building Official, after seeing the plans, raised alarm bells about the size, design, and configuration of the house. He said the house meets all building and zoning codes, so the City has to approve it, unless it is in a conservation or historic district where there is some design review. Miklo said that is not the case here. He said staff has explained that to the neighboring property owners. Miklo said the neighbors have also talked to others, and he thinks they are getting some mixed messages as to what being in an historic district entails. Swaim said the movement needs to come from the neighborhood to the Commission. She said that it is important to get the word out that the Commission is happy to meet with neighbors and explain what a district is, what the opportunities are, what the regulations are, etc. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION June 9, 2016 Page 12 of 13 Michaud asked about the new property, if it is going to be some type of sports camp, how many parking spaces would be required. Miklo stated that, like all single-family homes, it would be required to have one off-street parking space. He added that the Building Official, before issuing a building permit, required an affidavit saying this would be used for a single-family home. Kuenzli asked if anything would change if the area was designated an historic district at this point. Miklo replied that the building permit has already been issued, so it would be too late to have any design review over this property. Male said this may be the opportunity to get a groundswell from the neighborhood to enact that sort of push to designate an historic district. Swaim asked if there is a neighborhood association in Manville Heights. Miklo said he believes there is, but he did not believe it meets very often. Swaim said it would be the responsibility of the neighborhood to organize a meeting and get the word out to everyone. Regarding the CLG grant, Miklo stated that the Commission would be the applicant. MOTION: Sandell moved to submit the CLG grant for the survey of downtown. Agran seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 9-0 (Clore and Litton absent). CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES FOR MAY '12, 2016: MOTION: Baker moved to approve the minutes of the Historic Preservation Commission's May 12, 2016 meeting, as written. DeGraw seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 9- 0 (Clore and Litton absent). COMMISSION INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION: Swaim commended Friends of Historic Preservation for its Parade of Historic Homes held on May 29. Miklo said the City would pay the expenses of one or two Commission members to attend the Preservation Summit in Davenport in September. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 6:34 p.m. Minutes submitted by Anne Schulte HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION ATTENDANCE RECORD 2015-2016 NAME TERM EXP. 7/9 8/13 9/10 1018 11/12 12/10 1114 2/11 2125 3112 4/14 5112 6/9 AGRAN, THOMAS 3/29/17 x x 0/E x x x O/E x X O/E x X BAKER, ESTHER 3/29/18 x x x x O/E x x x x x x x x BUILTA, ZACH 3/29/19 — — — — — — — — x x x CLORE, GOSIA 3/29/17 0/E X O/E x X x O/E x O/E x x x DEGRAW, SHARON 3/29/19 — — — — — — — — x x x KUENZLI, CECILE 3/29/19 — — — — — — — — --- O/E O/E x LITTON, ANDREW 3/29/17 x O/E x x x X x x x x x O/E MICHAUD, PAM 3/29/18 x X X x O/E x x X x x x x x SANDELL, BEN 3/29/17 x X X x x O/E X x X x x x x SWAIM, GINALIE 3/29/18 x x x x O/E x x x x x x x WAGNER, FRANK 3/29/18 0/E O/E . 0/E x O/E x x X X x x x x KEY: X = Present 0 = Absent O/E = AbsentlExcused -- = Not a Member IP21 MINUTES PRELIMINARY HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION JUNE 16, 2016 — 7:00 PM DALE HELLING CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Peter Byler, Christine Harms, John McKinstry, Harry Olmstead, Matthew Peirce, Dorothy Persson, Emily Seiple MEMBERS ABSENT: Syndy Conger, Bob Lamkins STAFF PRESENT: Kris Ackerson, Tracy Hightshoe OTHERS PRESENT: Charlie Eastham, Joe Hughes, Paul Roessler By a vote of 7-0 the Commission recommends that the City Attorney's office review the SouthGate Property Management Crime Free Lease Addendum for legality. CALL TO ORDER: Byler called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. APPROVAL OF MAY 19, 2016 MINUTES: Olmstead moved to approve the minutes of May 19, 2016 with minor edits. Pierce seconded the motion. A vote was taken and motion passed 7-0. PUBLIC COMMENT: None. DISCUSSION OF CRIME FREE ADDENDUM BY LANDLORDS: Byler noted there was a copy of the crime free addendum used by SouthGate Property Management in the Commission's packet. Byler stated that the City Attorney's office will review the addendum if a majority of the commission requests it. Hightshoe noted that SouthGate's crime free lease addendum is not used as a screening item; i is more a code of conduct once a person gets a lease and what behaviors one could lead to eviction. Hightshoe mentioned that the City Attorney has been reviewing all of SouthGate's leases as part of a review of all Section 8 landlords and found it met all City and State requirements. Ackerson spoke with the City Attorney and what she said was the Crime Free Lease Addendum addresses tenants once they are in a unit, and not the screening process, but would review it again and provide the Commission with her opinion. Harms noted that the Human Rights Commission has various ways to oversee regulation of treatment of individuals within the City. In a recent report to Council the report showed that the Housing and Community Development Commission June 16, 2016 Page 2 of 7 trends in disproportionality have been decreasing with regards to the minority population traffic stops. When looking at the map of where the majority of the minority traffic violations occur, it is around the Broadway neighborhood so Harms feels it might be worth having more information and review. Byler stated he doesn't have a problem with a Crime Free Lease Addendum in general, however this particular one from SouthGate Property Management does have some vague paragraphs. "Tenants and affiliates should not cause an unreasonably high number of calls for police service, including, but not limited to, noise complaints..." which could lead to fear to call the police. But that doesn't seem to be an issue for the legal staff of the City to address but rather Council if they want to pass an ordinance stating there cannot be nuisance penalties in a lease. Olmstead feels that the Council won't want to pass an ordinance without input form the City Attorney's office. Persson moved to recommend that the City Attorney's office review the SouthGate Property Management Crime Free Lease Addendum for legality. Olmstead seconded the motion. Charlie Eastham stated he sent Ackerson an email with the Crime Free Lease Addendum items highlighted that he felt were objectionable. He followed what he felt the context of the Office of the General Counsel Guidance of Fair Housing Act. Eastham notes that the guidance memo outlines the use of screening procedures on housing providers that have a disparate racial impact that is the heart of the guidance memo. He feels it is clear that the use of the Crime Free Lease Addendums would more than likely have a disparate racial and ethnic impact to continuing access to housing. The guidance also states that the use of allegations or arrests without the proof of actual conduct is not acceptable. Joe Hughes (SouthGate Companies) stated they manage about 600-700 units around Iowa City. The SouthGate Companies has been in business for 54 years, started by the Braverman Family, and have always done their best to give back to the community, care for their residents, and keep their residents safe. This winter they donated use of their building at 1920 Boyrum Street for overflow of the homeless shelter. Hughes noted that SouthGate is involved in affordable housing projects and is a sponsor of the affordable housing forum. The Crime Free Lease Addendum was initiated as a way to keep the children, families, and residents safe. They do not want drugs in their complexes, specifically with what used to be Broadway (now Orchard Place) there were issues there, a shooting (landlord killed). SouthGate worked with the City to completely remodel that building inside and out and work to keep drugs and crime out of there. Hughes said that HUD came out with new guidelines this spring that address some of these issues, so SouthGate is reviewing their leases and Crime Free Lease Addendum with their legal team as well to check for needed updates or improvements. Hughes feels it is good to have the City Attorney review this, as well. SouthGate will update the document as needed. Byler asked if Hughes knew the timeline of their legal team's review of the leases. Hughes felt it would be complete in the next couple of months. Persson asked when they change something like an addendum, is it reviewed by the City Attorney or someone within the City Staff? Hightshoe said not necessarily, the Housing Authority does review leases if they are used for Section 8 housing, but the City Attorney does not. The City Attorney will review leases periodically to make sure they are in compliance with State and Federal Codes. The City has encouraged landlords to institute a Crime Free Lease Addendum to protect other tenants from life safety or health safety concerns. Housing and Community Development Commission June 16, 2016 Page 3 of 7 Persson asked if the City was keeping any data that is being reviewed to show that all parties are being treated fairly. Hightshoe said if someone using a voucher is denied the City keeps those records, but they do not keep track of landlord evictions if there is not a housing choice voucher involved. Eastham stated that two or three years ago the Coalition for Racial Justice submitted a request from Steve Rackis, the Housing Authority Administrator, for data broken down by race for a three-year period showing denials and terminations. After review of that information it showed a proportion of African American denied or terminated was higher than whites. A vote was taken and the motion passed 7-0. DISCUSS WHEN A QUORUM OF HCDC MEMBERS EXIST AT VARIOUS COMMUNITY MEETINGS: Byler stated this became a question because at the last Affordable Homes Coalition meeting there were four or five Commissioners present. There are currently four HCDC members that are voting members of the Affordable Homes Coalition. Byler stated that if there were five it becomes an issue due to open meetings laws. McKinstry added that much of what is discussed at the Affordable Homes Coalition is under the purview of HCDC so the members that attend the Affordable Homes Coalition will have more information than those that are not there. Byler suggested that where there will be an Affordable Homes Coalition meeting to find out who is planning to attend and to make sure that no more than four Commissioners attend any one meeting. DISCUSSION OF WALDEN RIDGE REHAB PROJECT: Byler said he asked to have this on the agenda due to an article in the paper describing arrangements other than what he felt they had discussed and agreed upon. Hightshoe referred to the HCDC minutes (October 22, 2015) that stated a recommendation of a CDBG loan of $600,000 to Bilam Properties, LLC (a SouthGate Companies entity) to rehabilitate 53 units at Walden Ridge with the following financial terms: 15 -year amortization, 15 -year term, 3% full amortizing with a 15 -year compliance period. Payments would begin once the rehabilitation is completed. Executing the agreement would be contingent on SouthGate paying off the $600,000 loan for the Orchard Place (aka Broadway Condos) project. Hightshoe also noted in the minutes, "CDBG rules require that 51% of the units be rented to those under 80% of median income at no more than the CDBG fair market rent." These terms match the application for funds. After talking with SouthGate and actually writing the agreement, it was changed to 40 units (a decrease) because not all of the units needed to be gutted and remodeled. However, even at the 40 units 26 will be affordable rental units (51% of 53 units would have been 27 affordable units so it was reduced by 1). CONSIDER RECOMMENDATION OF REQUEST TO REDUCE UNITS BY CHARM HOMES — PROPOSED FY16 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN AMENDMENT #1: Ackerson said they have not drafted the amendment yet, Staff wanted to bring this to the attention of the Commission first. Charm Homes is having trouble finding two accessible four- Housing and Community Development Commission June 16, 2016 Page 4 of 7 bedroom homes to provide 8 single -resident occupancy rooms. So what they are proposing to reduce the number of rooms and use the funds to buy one house and then rehab and retro -fit the house to make it accessible — a reduction of 50% in the number of units. Byler asked the amount of funding that was awarded to Charm Homes. Ackerson said they were awarded approximately $60,000, which was to be divided into two down payments on homes. But instead they will now be making one down payment and use the rest of the funds for the rehab. Ackerson will draft an amendment and bring it to the Commission at the next meeting OVERVIEW OF CDBG AND HOME EXPENDITURES DURING FY2015: Byler said this agenda item was requested because there was some curiosity among the Commissioners on how the funds are allocated. Ackerson noted the table in the Commissioners' packets is also in the Annual Action Plan. The table shows the housing projects at the top, the bottom two rehab projects listed under housing are City Council project set -asides. Byler asked how the City Council sets this money aside ... is it during the City Council budget meetings? Hightshoe explained that when the Commission approves the five-year consolidated plan, it includes the set -asides. In each year's Action Plan there are set -asides for administration, aid to agencies, neighborhood amenities, economic development, and owner occupied rehab based on the amounts in the consolidated plan. There would need to be an amendment to the five-year plan to change the amount allocated to set -asides. Hightshoe noted that there needs to be consistency in the set -asides, especially for administration. Byler questioned if people on staff could do various things, so if one year a project came in for HOME or CDBG funding that needed $800,000 then the staff person that was doing owner -occupied rehab would then have to work on the $800,000 project. Hightshoe said not necessarily, the owner -occupied specialists are trained in rehab. She said they have rehabbed over 400 homes in the past 20 years, and those homeowners are primarily under 50% median income, they do emergency repair to mobile homes, which no one else in the County will do, so there is a lot of value in the owner -occupied rehabs, they stabilize neighborhoods. McKinstry stated this topic came up in the Affordable Homes Coalition as well and he disagrees on part. First there is great value in maintaining neighborhoods, and the concern with making the funding competitive is who would manage the program, so it needs to be City directed. Byler agreed that the program is valuable, the question is if they are allocating $300,000 out of a $10 million budget it is different than when you are taking $300,000 out of a $500,000 budget. At what point, as the budget shrinks (as it continues to do so) does this become the entire budget. Hightshoe mentioned that staff will be presenting affordable housing strategies to City Council at their June 21 work session. Commissioners are welcome to come listen. Persson voiced her concern that whatever money is spent does go to help people not just pay an agency to exist. She is always very concerned if there is a need and someone steps up and fills that need, but if people want to be competitive and not cooperative that can be an issue. Housing and Community Development Commission June 16, 2016 Page 5 of 7 CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL REGARDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING STRATEGIES: Byler noted that in the packet there were statements from local groups (The League of Women Voters of Johnson County, Affordable Homes Coalition, and The Consolation of Religious Communities) all of which had valid aspects. Byler suggests that since these groups consist of people that are well known to the Council that the Commission either make a specific recommendation that is not in one of these documents, or make a blanket statement of support for these documents. Olmstead suggested the Commission serve as a conduit to bring representatives from each of these organizations together with this committee to formulate that strategy. Byler acknowledged that could be done, noting that the work session on June 21 Staff will be presenting their ideas to the Council. Hightshoe said she will email the presentation out to the Commission after the presentation to Council and in the next meeting packet. Once that is in the packet, the Commission can then discuss it and compare it to the statements received by the outside organizations and will have all the information to make an informed recommendation. Byler agreed with Hightshoe to wait and hear all the information before making a recommendation. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER ADOPTION OF CHANGES TO THE CDBG AND HOME SCORING CRITERIA: Byler stated there had been some discussion at previous meetings whether the Commission wanted to more highly value matching funds on the scoring criteria. The scoring sheets are not binding, but they are what the partner organizations look at for feedback. It has been more common as funds are dwindling to see applications with no leveraging resources at all so often that scoring section is 0. Byler asked if the goal was to have the partnering organizations only apply for funding when they have matching funds for projects, or are committed to go raise matching funds, should that be worth more point -wise. Persson agreed it is something the Commission should adopt. She feels that organizations that need to go out and fundraise are more aware of their images and clientele and work harder to keep those images positive. Additionally it can open the cause to members of the public that didn't know there was even a need. Harms agrees and notes that when she worked to raise money for the splash pad it was hard work but necessary. Byler suggests that the first section, the Need Priority, is the most vague section and gives Commissioners the ability to assign points based on judgment. He suggests keeping Need Priority at 20 points, make Leveraging section 50 points, and make the last three sections 10 points apiece. Seiple stated that Impact/Benefit is a very important category and isn't sure that should only be worth 10 points. Eastham commented that the Leveraging items do not include other public subsidies. Especially for public housing there is a need to get money from other public entities. Hightshoe agreed and Housing and Community Development Commission June 16, 2016 Page 6 of 7 said perhaps #3 under Leveraging should just say "does the project leverage other financial resources". Byler agrees with Seiple's point and suggests then a ranking of Need Priority at 10 points, make Leveraging section 50 points, Feasibility section 10 points, ImpacUBenefit 20 points and Capacity/History 10 points. Olmstead suggested sending the updated scoring sheet to the agencies to get their input as well. Byler said they could but some agencies may not want to go raise money so won't want leveraging to be worth so many points. It will be on the agenda for the next meeting so if an agency wants to come address the issue they can. DISCUSS FUNDING SOURCES AND PROCESS FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLANNING FOR PUBLIC FACILITIES: Byler noted he had not sent letters to the engineering firms yet, he has a draft letter prepared. So this will need to be on a future agenda to discuss. STAFF/COMMISSION ANNOUNCEMENTS: Hightshoe noted that the So You Want To Start A Business series ended after five workshops. The first three were very well attended with over 30 at each workshop. The last two had only 11 attendees each. The workshop information is on the City's website at: https://www.icqov.org/businessworkshops The City has also changed their micro -loan policy and will now lend up to $10,000 with 3% interest and partner with MidwestOne Bank to administer the loans. Ackerson noted that at the end of the packet he included a list of definitions. The County has a semi -regular meeting with the City Staff from all the municipals in the County and the school districts to come up with common definitions for affordable housing. Hightshoe noted that the Iowa City team was selected by the Robert Woods Foundation as an Invest Health Team. This is a partnership with The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and the mission of the Team is to research affordable housing and health — specifically the disparity among low-income housing families with asthma and behavioral and mental health issues. ADJOURNMENT: Olmstead moved to adjourn. Seiple seconded the motion. A vote was taken and motion carried 7-0. Housing and Community Development Commission Attendance Record Name Terms Exp. July 1 9/17/15 10/22/15 11/19/15 1/21/16 2/18/16 3/10/16 4/21116 5119116 6/16/16 Harms, Christine 2016 --- --- --- --- -- --- -- X X Lamkins, Bob 2016 X X X X X X O/E X O/E Persson, Dottie 2016 X X X X O/E X O/E X X Byler, Peter 2017 X X X X X X X X X McKinstry, John 2017 -- --- --- --- --- --- — X X Peirce, Matthew 2017 --- --- --- X X X X O/E X Conger, Syndy 2018 O/E O/E X X X O/E X O/E O/E Olmstead, Harry 2018 --- --- X X X X X X Seiple, Emily 2018 X X X X X X X X X Kew. X = Present O = Absent O/E = Absent/Excused --- = Vacant IP22 Minutes Human Rights Commission Goal Setting Session July 7, 2016 Lobby Conference Room Preliminary Members Present: Eliza Willis, Orville Townsend Sr, Andrea Cohen, Kim Hanrahan, Paul Retish, Shams Ghoneim, Adil Adams, Joe D. Coulter. Members Absent: Karol Krotz. Staff Present: Stefanie Bowers. Call to Order: 5:00 p.m. The Iowa City Human Rights Commission met on July 7, 2017 with the specific purpose of discussing how to make its subcommittees more effective and to have a conversation on how City funding in the amount of $25,000 can be best utilized to advance social justice and racial equity (SJRE Program) in the community. Commissioners decided to discontinue with standing subcommittees at this time and use instead ad hoc committees for when concerns or issues arise in the community. The Commission outlined how a SJRE Program could work as a funding source for the community and will continue to discuss it at its formal July meeting date. Adjourned: 6:59 p.m. Human Rights Commission Attendance Record 2015/2016 NAME TERM EXP. 7/21 15 8/18 15 9/16 15 10/20 is 11/17 15 12/15 15 1/19 16 2/16 16 3/15 16 4/18 16 5/17 16 6/21 16 7/7 16 Joe D. Coulter 1/1/2019 O/E X X X X X X X X X O/E X X Adil D. Adams 1/1/2019 --- --- --- --- --- -- O/E O O/E O X X X Eliza Jane Willis 1/1/2019 — — --- — — — X O/E X X X X X Paul Retish 1/1/2017 X X X X X X O/E XX X X X X Orville Townsend, Sr. 1/1/2017 X X X X X X X X[O/E X X X X X Andrea Cohen 1/1/2018 --- -- -- --- -- — X XX X X X X Kim Hanrahan 1/1/2018 X X X X X X X X X X X X Shams Ghoneim 1/1/2018 X X X O/E X X O/E X X X X X X Karol Krotz 1/1/2017 --- --- -- --- --- --- --- --- --- -- O O O Key X = Present O = Absent O/E= Absent/Excused — = Vacant IP23 MINUTES PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION JULY 7, 2016 — 7:00 PM — FORMAL MEETING EMMA HARVAT HALL — CITY HALL PRELIMINARY MEMBERS PRESENT: Carolyn Dyer, Mike Hensch, Phoebe Martin, Max Parsons, Mark Signs, Jodie Theobald MEMBERS ABSENT: Ann Freerks, STAFF PRESENT: Sara Hektoen, Bob Miklo OTHERS PRESENT: Josh Busard, Ron Amelon, Mike Rittenmeyer RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY COUNCIL: By a vote of 5-0 (Hensch abstaining, Freerks absent) the Commission recommends approval of REZ16-00005 a rezoning from Intensive Commercial (CI -1) to Neighborhood Public (P-1) for 3,739 square feet of property located at 818 S. Dubuque Street. By a vote of 6-0 the Commission recommends approval of SUB16-00007 an application submitted by Hochstedler Building and Development for a preliminary plat of Glenwood Springs, a 13 -lot, 22.31 acre residential subdivision located at Dane Road SW and Highway 218 subject to the final plat addressing 1) dedication of Dane Road right-of-way and 2) an easement to allow access to Palisades Place if the adjacent property develops for a residential subdivision in the future. By a vote of 6-0 the Commission recommends that the City forward a letter to the Johnson County Board of Adjustment recommending that if a Conditional Use Permit is granted to allow a truck equipment and storage business at 4525 Taft Ave, it be limited to a period of 15 years with a possibility of future renewals. CALL TO ORDER: Hensch called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA: There were none REZONING ITEM (REZ16-00005): Discussion of an application submitted by Johnson County Board of Supervisors for a rezoning from Intensive Commercial (CI -1) to Neighborhood Public (P-1) for approximately .086 acres of property located at 818 S. Dubuque Street. Hensch abstained from the discussion of this item due to his employment with Johnson County and left the room. Miklo began the staff report noting that the property to the north was recently rezoned from Planning and Zoning Commission July 7, 2016 — Formal Meeting Page 2 of 6 Intensive Commercial (CI -1) to Neighborhood Public (P-1) to allow for the redevelopment of the Johnson County Ambulance Center. The County has recently purchased the property to the south which contained a house that has been removed, and the proposal is to rezone the parcel Public so the entire piece owned by the County is zoned Public for the redevelopment of the ambulance center. Miklo explained that the Iowa City Zoning Code contains the Public zone to notify adjacent property owners that it is owned by the public and is not subject to the typical zoning regulations, there are some site development standards, but as long as it is used for a public purpose uses are not limited. Miklo showed a rendering of what was being built on the property. The property is in the Riverfront Crossings District and the County has made a good attempt to make the building compatible with the character envisions for that district. Staff is recommends approval of REZ16-00005, an application submitted by Johnson County for a rezoning from CI -1 to P-1 for 3,739 square feet of property located at 818 S. Dubuque Street. Dyer asked why this project was already under construction if the zoning request has not already been approved. Miklo said the County applied for this rezoning some time ago but it has been delayed getting on the agenda, so the building official did issue a building permit subject to the rezoning. He noted the building official was comfortable doing so because there really isn't much of a choice, if a public entity owns a piece of property it needs to be zoned Public. Parsons opened the public hearing. Josh Busard (Director, Johnson County Planning, Development and Sustainability) came forward to answer any questions the Commission has. He noted that the new building is also the medical examiners building, not just for ambulance. The Commissioners had no questions for Busard. Parsons closed the public hearing. Theobald moved to approve REZ16-00005 a rezoning from Intensive Commercial (CI -1) to Neighborhood Public (P-1) for 3,739 square feet of property located at 818 S. Dubuque Street. Signs seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed 5-0 (Hensch abstaining, Freerks absent). (Hensch returned to the meeting room) DEVELOPMENT ITEM (SUB16-00007): Discussion of an application submitted by Hochstedler Building and Development for a preliminary plat of Glenwood Springs, a 13 -lot, 22.31 acre residential subdivision located at Dane Road SW and Highway 218. Miklo explained that this property is outside of the City limits but is within the two-mile fringe Planning and Zoning Commission July 7, 2016—Formal Meeting Page 3 of 6 area of the City where the City does have review of subdivisions. The State Code grants the City the ability to approve or deny subdivisions to ensure that there isn't leap frog development right outside that doesn't meet City standards where the City might one day expand. The Fringe Area Agreement specifies that properties that are outside the growth area aren't treated as stringently as they are if they are within the growth area. This location is just outside the growth area. The Fringe Area Agreement has a list of standards for this area that are less stringent than what applied within the City. Miklo said the proposed subdivision does meet or exceed those standards in terms of street design, sidewalks, concrete streets with curbs and gutter all of which is more than what is required. Miklo said that there were some concerns about drinking water for this subdivision in that some other subdivisions in the area have had issues. The applicant has indicated that they will be using private water treatment systems to address those concerns. The County Health Department will have to approve both the septic systems for sanitary sewer treatment and the wells for the water. Because the subdivision will flow into the Iowa City watersheds it is subject to the Iowa City stormwater management ordinance and Miklo has spoken with the City Engineer who has approved this subdivision's stormwater management. Another requirement is the fire rating, this area is served by a volunteer fire department, and the fire rating puts them on notice that this is an additional area that they would be responsible for. Miklo said there are some sensitive areas, some steep slopes, and those are subject to the County's steep slope regulations, so the County will review those for compliance. If the City standards did apply, there would have been a requirement for a 300 foot buffer from the interstate for individual houses. Although this standard does not apply, it was pointed out to the applicant with an encouragement for a buffer and the applicant responded noting they have worked with the Iowa Department of Transportation to preserve and add to the trees that are within the right-of-way to help create a buffer. Miklo said the staff recommendation is subject to two conditions being addressed at the time of the final plat. One is the dedication of Dane Road to the City if this property is ever annexed. The reason for that is in the County the roadways are easement and in the City they are right-of- ways where the City owns the property. Additionally Staff is recommending that an easement be provided so that if the property to the south ever develops for residential uses, they could have access to the street within Glenwood Springs. This would allow both properties to have two accesses to Dane Road to create a loop system and avoid a cul-de-sac. Staff is recommending approval of the preliminary plat of Glenwood Springs, a 13 -lot, 22.31 acre residential subdivision located at Dane Road SW and Highway 218 subject to the final plat addressing 1) dedication of Dane Road right-of-way and 2) an easement to allow access to Palisades Place if the adjacent property develops for a residential subdivision in the future. Hensch asked how far outside the City limits this property is located. Miklo showed on the map the area that is City versus the area that is County around this location. This subdivision will be less than a mile from City limits. Parsons asked why the subdivision was being developed with two cul-de-sacs rather than just one, and Miklo believes it is due to a ravine in the center of the property. Hensch opened the public hearing. Ron Amelon (MMS Consultants) began by answering the question about the two access points out onto Dane Road is due to the ravine that runs down the center of the property and there are Planning and Zoning Commission July 7, 2016 — Formal Meeting Page 4 of 6 sensitive features that are in that ravine. Amelon also addressed the buffer from the interstate noting it is something that the developer is conscious of and wants to make sure that there is a good buffer. The site itself does have a natural buffer from the interstate, the site is about 25 feet higher than the interstate. Hencsh asked how many feet it would be from the back of the lots to Highway 218. Amelon feels it is between 200 to 250 feet. Hensch also addressed the water quality issue, and asked if it was a radon issue with the water. Amelon said another subdivision has some issues with their water quality with radionuclides being borderline lower than what is acceptable by the DNR. This proposed subdivision will have two separate wells and two separate homeowners associations so each well will be considered private. That will allow for in-home treatments to deal with the radionuclides (water softner, iron removal, etc.) that will make it acceptable to the standards. If it were to be a public system the DNR does not allow in-home treatments. Hensch asked if the County will require any monitoring of the radionuclide levels. Amelon was unsure of the answer and would have to ask the County. Miklo stated to clarify that it is approximately 180 feet from the edge of the interstate pavement to the property line, and then another 60 feet to the closest house. He said the City subdivision regulations measure from the edge of the highway right-of-way, not the pavement. He also noted that City Standards to do state that the 300 foot buffer can be reduced if there is a natural buffer that results in a noise level of less the 60 dBA. He said that due to the topography that may be the case here, but because the regulation does not apply no measurements were taken. Hensch closed the public discussion. Signs noted for the record that he is acquainted with the developer, he is an agent in the same office as Signs, but Signs has no financial or business interests with the developer or this development. Martin moved to approve SUB16-00007 an application submitted by Hochstedler Building and Development for a preliminary plat of Glenwood Springs, a 13 -lot, 22.31 acre residential subdivision located at Dane Road SW and Highway 218 subject to the final plat addressing 1) dedication of Dane Road right-of-way and 2) an easement to allow access to Palisades Place if the adjacent property develops for a residential subdivision in the future. Parsons seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed 6-0 (Freerks absent). CONDITIONAL USE ITEM (CU16-00002): Discussion of an application submitted by Rittenmeyer Trucking Company for a Conditional Use Permit to allow the continuation of a truck and equipment storage business as a home business at 4525 Taft Ave SE in Area B of the Iowa City /Johnson County Fringe Area. Miklo stated that this application is a renewal of a conditional use permit that the Commission recommended approval of five years ago. There was a five-year time limit placed on the Planning and Zoning Commission July 7, 2016 — Formal Meeting Page 5 of 6 approval by the County so that this could be reassessed in terms of its compatibility with current development within the County. Iowa City had recommended a 10 -year period for reassessment. So the proposal is to renewal the conditional use permit to allow a trucking business to store their equipment on this property. Miklo noted this area is not one the City anticipates being annexed into the City any time soon and therefore is comfortable recommending renewal of this permit for a period of 15 years. After the 15 years, the City and the County can then reassess to see if there is residential growth. Staff recommends that the City forward a letter to the Johnson County Board of Adjustment recommending that if a Conditional Use Permit is granted to allow a truck equipment and storage business at 4525 Taft Ave, it be limited to a period of 15 years with a possibility of future renewals. Martin asked if in the last five years has there been any complaints about the property. Miklo said he asked the County staff and they said there has not been. Hensch opened the public discussion. Mike Rittenmever (4529 Taft Avenue SE) is the owner of Rittenmeyer Trucking and stated he is happy with the Staff recommendation. Signs asked what the road is constructed of. Rittenmeyer said it is chip -seal. He had to add the chip -seal and is also required by the County to maintain it from the south edge of Breckenridge to his property. Hensch closed the public hearing. Parsons moved that the City forward a letter to the Johnson County Board of Adjustment recommending that if a Conditional Use Permit is granted to allow a truck equipment and storage business at 4525 Taft Ave, it be limited to a period of 15 years with a possibility of future renewals. Martin seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed 6-0 (Freerks absent). CONSIDERATION OF MEETING MINUTES: JUNE 2. 2016 Parsons moved to approve the meeting minutes of June 2, 2016 with a minor edit. Martin seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed 6-0. PLANNING AND ZONING INFORMATION: Miklo passed out an article about retirement housing that discusses zoning implications that might be of interest to the Commissioners. ADJOURNMENT: Martin moved to adjourn. Parsons seconded. A vote was taken and motion carried 6-0. PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION ATTENDANCE RECORD 2015-2016 FORMAL MEETING KEY: X = Present O = Absent O/E = Absent/Excused --- = Not a Member 816 8/20 9/3 9/17 10/1 10/15 11/5 11/19 12/3 1/7 1/21 2/19 3/3 3/17 4/7 4/21 5/5 5/19 6/2 7/7 DYER, CAROLYN X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X EASTHAM, CHARLIE X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X FREERKS, ANN X X X X X X O/E X X X O/E X X X X X X O/E X O/E HENSCH, MIKE X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X MARTIN, PHOEBE X X X O/E O/E X O/E X X X X X X X X X X X X X PARSONS, MAX X X X X X X X O/E X X X X O/E X X X X X X SIGNS, MARK -- -- -- -- -- — -- =—— #X—X ------ -- — -- X X X X THEOBALD, JODIEO/E X X X X X X X X X X I X I X I X I X X X X KEY: X = Present O = Absent O/E = Absent/Excused --- = Not a Member