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Home My WebLink About1984-08-28 Info PacketCity of Iowa City MEMORANDUM DATE: August 17, 1984 TO: City Council FROM: City Manager RE: Informal Agendas and Meeting Schedule August 21, 1984 Tuesday NO INFORMAL COUNCIL MEETING - SUMMER SCHEDULE August 27, 1984 Monday 6:30 - 8:30 P.M. Council Chambers 6:30 P.M. - Review zoning matters 6:45 P.M. - Accessibility regulations for General Revenue Sharing Compliance 7:05 P.M. - Parking Fine Increases 7:20 P.M. - Development Concepts for Parcel 64 1-A 7:45 P.M. - Council agenda, Council time, Council committee reports 8:00 P.M. - Consider appointments to the Board of Electrical Examiners and Appeals and the Committee on Community Needs 8:05 P.M. - Executive Session August 28, 1984 Tuesday 7:30 P.M. - Regular Council Meeting - Council Chambers September 3, 1984 Monday HOLIDAY - CITY OFFICES CLOSED September 4, 1984 Tuesday NO INFORMAL COUNCIL MEETING - SUMMER SCHEDULE City Council August 17, 1984 Page 2 PENDING LIST Priority A: Utility Franchise Blackhawk Minipark Improvements Design Shared Housing Program Minimum Open Space Requirements (September 1984) Priority B: Duty/Procedure Changes - Housing and Inspection Services Lower Ralston Creek Parcels - Use and Configuration Congregate Housing Development Alternatives Iowa Theater Type Problems Northside Lighting Project Report Housing Market Analysis Update Energy Conservation Measures Funding Program Newspaper Vending Machines Meet with representatives of Clear Creek Investment Co., and First Capitol Development, Inc. Bicycle Lane Designations and Markings (September 1984) Unrelated Roomers - Proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendment Priority C: Housing Inspection Funding Policy Willow Creek Park Sidewalk North Dodge/Old Dubuque Road Project Appointments to Riverfront Commission and United Action for Youth Board - September 11, 1984 Appointments to Resources Conservation Commission, Senior Center Commission, Board of Appeals and Board of Examiners of Plumbers - September 25, 1984' City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: July 30, 1984 To: City Manager, Department and Division Heads From: Anne Carroll, Director of Human Relations Re: Affirmative Action Status Report As is required by the Affirmative Action Policy, attached please find the Affirmative Action Report which summarizes the City's Affirmative Action progress during FY84. The report of achievement of Affirmative Action goals in FY84 is also attached. Please review this report with the appropriate Administrative employees in your department/division and in the near future I will schedule a meeting with you to analyze your department's Affirmative Action position, assess attainment of last year's Affirmative Action goals, and establish the Affirmative Action goals for FY85 with you. On the whole, this report points to a number of areas of success in our Affirmative Action efforts, along with, however, some areas where attention is still warranted, as indicated below and in the report which follows. REPORT SUM14ARY Overall Minority/Female Representative Changes FY83-FY84 During FY84 the representation of minority group members among permanent and temporary City employees increased from 4.60. to 4.8%. This level of repre- sentation significantly exceeds the minority representation found in the labor market the City recruits from (which has a minority representation of 4.1%) and is a primary indicator of the success of our Affirmative Action efforts. White female representation in the work force didnot change significantly within the last year and at its current'level of 30.8% is less than the 45.5% female representation found in the total mix of jobs in the external labor market. However, when job specific data are used, i.e. comparing the representation of women in specific City positions to their representation in those same positions in the labor market, City female representation gener- ally meets and often exceeds the labor market representation figures. This indicates that the r -rall "underrepresentation" of females within the City work force is as a a+!,.e more related to the types of positions found within our work force i.e. - a higher level of "traditional male" positions than found in the labor market as a whole. Nonetheless, efforts need to be continued to integrate women into non-traditional positions. 1109 Specific Minority/Female Representation by EEO Categor Officials and Administrators Female representation in these top level positions at 35.7%, greatly exceeds that found in the national labor force (10%). No minority group members are found in these City positions currently (national representation is approxi- mately 3.5%), however, only one vacancy occurring in this category during FY84 and was filled internally by promotion of a qualified white male. Professionals White female representation within the City work force, at 34.7%, exceeds that found in the labor market (approximately 25%). City minority profes- sional representation increased from 1.5% to 2.8%, and although the minority representation among professional positions in the labor market is zero percent for many categories of professional positions, this is an area where efforts should continue to be made as vacancies arise. This category may provide a pool for promotion into Official and Administrator positions. Technicians Female representation is satisfactory. No minority group members are found among these positions. These positions are frequently internal promotional opportunities and current female and minority group members who are inter- ested should be trained to enable them to qualify for promotion. Protective Services Female representation in these positions in the Police Department, at 10.3%, exceed the labor market representation of 4.3%. Minority representation in the Police Department of 5.1% - labor market representation is 2.2%. No minority group members or females are represented in the Fire Department, an area where vigorous efforts should continue to be made as vacancies arise. Paraprofessionals Female and minority representation among these positions is quite satisfac- tory. These positions are generally internal promotional opportunities and are well used as such to further Affirmative Action. Office and Clerical Minority representation in these positions increased from 4.1% to 5.1% and is comparable to labor market representation of 2.3%-4.9%. Skilled Craft Minority representation in these positions, which are the top of many blue collar promotional ladders, continue to slip in the last year from 3.2% to 1.6%, although this level of representation is still above that found in the labor market which is zero percent. Female representation among skilled craft positions also decreased from 6.5% to 4.8% during the last year. Both of these areas will continue to require further efforts. 160 Service Maintenance These positions are generally the entry level positions for City field operations, and make up promotion pool for higher level, non -office posi- tions. The largest number of permanent City employees are found in this category. Female representation in these positions increased to 16.1% this year from 14.9%, above the most common labor market representation figures for these positions which is 9.4%. Many of these positions are considered by some to be "traditional male" positions, which continues to be apparent in a relative lack of female applicants for many of the positions. Minority representation also increased from 10.3% to 12.5%, significantly above the most common labor market representation at 4.2%. Temporary Employees Like Service Maintenance employees, temporaries comprise an often used recruiting pool for permanent City positions due to the preference given them by our labor contract. Labor market representation figures are unavailable for these positions, but efforts are made, at minimum, to maintain a minority representation above the 4.1% generally found in the labor market as a whole. In FY84 total minority representation among temporaries decreased somewhat from 6.3% to 4.6% and will be monitored closely in the future. Employment Activity Internal Employment Activity The promotion, demotion or transfer of employees to fill vacant positions comprised 75% of all employment activity in FY84. Although current minority and female employees were well represented among the internal employment activities, Affirmative Action efforts are frequently complicated by union seniority provisions for employee selection. A continued concentration on developing minority and female representation among positions which typically form stepping stones to promotion, and emphasis on providing training opportunities, should assist in placing and promoting qualified minority and female employees in higher level positions within the organization. Internal placement representation in FY84 included: Promotions: 7.8% minority, 25.5% white female. Lateral transfers: 18.2% minority, 36.4% white female. Non-disciplinary/voluntary demotions: 20% minority, 0% white female. No disciplinary demotions occurred in FY84. External Employment Activity 22 new permanent employees were hired in FY84. Minority representation among these hires was 4.6% (one hire) and female representation was 27.3%. Minority representation among new hires exceeds labor market representation figures of 4.1%. Female representation among new hires is comparable to the female representation of the current Iowa City work force. HE Turnover Rates On a City wide basis, turnover increased from 5.5% in FY83 to 9% in FY84. The rate of minority female turnover was 12.5%, however, this was caused by only one voluntary resignation. No minority male turnover occurred. No minority group members or females were discharged in FY84. Salary Level Salaries of the majority of minority group members and females are clustered in the $13,000-;19,999 salary ranges, although females are represented in all salary ranges including the highest range. A comparable worth system of job classification, which establishes relative salary ranges for positions, is used for all City positions, and works to eliminate the underpricing of "traditional female" positions. Salary levels of minority group members and females are related to the level of their positions within the organization and their tenure within the City, which continues to hold down their salary levels relative to white males. Increased tenure within the organization and Affirmative Action in promotion should remedy this discrepancy. Training Opportunities Female and minority representation in training opportunities was approximate- ly 4%-6% below these groups' representation in the work force, which perhaps reflects the greater availability of training opportunities for professional and administrative employees and the two-thirds white male representation in those categories. Because training will facilitate promotional possibilities for minority group members and females, more emphasis should be placed on recruiting them in training opportunities at rates which exceed their representation in the work force. Although the bulk of this report is comprised of dry statistics, in evaluat- ing our Affirmative Action program and efforts, it is important to also give credit to the City employees who on a daily basis make Affirmative Action work in their hiring, training, and promotional decisions, and in assuring that a work environment is maintained for all which supports the principals of Affirmative Action. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions with regard to this report. ME 1669 City of Iowa Chj MEMORANDUM Date: August 1, 1984 To: Neal Berlin From: Anne Carroll Re: Affirmative Action Goals - FY84 As is required by the City Affirmative Action Policy, attached please find the affirmative action goals established by all City departments for FY84, the record of progress towards goal accomplishment during this period, and the year end Affirmative Action report. Overall measures of the City of Iowa City's progress include the following: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th FY83 Qtr. Qtr. Qtr. Qtr. FY84 Applicant Pool Minority Representation: 6.4% 6.5% 5.9% 7.3% 5.6% 6.4% Workforce Minority Representation: Permanent Employees 4.4% 4.8% 4.8% 5.3% 5.1% 5.0% Temporary Employees 5.3% 4.4% 4.4% 6.5% 3.9% 4.6% Combined 4.6% 4.6% 4.6% 5.7% 4.5% 4.8% *4th Qtr. FY82 Statistics Iowa City (SMSA) Labor Force 4.1% Minority Representation Minority Representation (Source: 1980 Census) A number of specific measures of individual departments' progress towards achievement of Affirmative Action goals follows. /sp I0 Administration - City Manager and City Clerk Offices, Legal and Human Relations Department ' Goal: Administrative Departments will take Affirmative Action in continuing to provide leadership and assistance to all other City departments in furthering their accomplishment of Affirmative Action goals, in the day-to-day operations of the Affirmative Action program, and in fulfillment of the responsibilities specified under the Affirmative Action Policy. First Quarter: Ongoing. Affirmative Action training scheduled for the second quarter. Second Quarter: An Affirmative Action seminar entitled Mana in Differ- ences was conducted for administrative employees. Third Quarter: Ongoing. Fourth Quarter: An Affirmative Action seminar entitled Public Service and the Handicapped was conducted for administrative empemp ogees. Goal: Administrative Departments will continue to provide leadership in promoting the City as an Affirmative Action employer. Third Quarter: A staff/citizen committee was formed and began meetings to review handicapped accessibility to City services and employment. Fourth Quarter: Committee work continued. All departments/divisions completed handicap accessibility questionnaires. Goal: Administrative Departments will strive to maintain representation of women and minority group members in professional and administrative positions at levels above those found in the labor market. Ongoing. Goal: As professional vacancies arise, Affirmative Action will be taken to recruit women and minority group members on a national basis, utilizing minority skills banks where possible. First Quarter: One half-time Productions Assistant's position occurred and was filled internally by a white male. One Legal Intern's position occurred and was filled by a white male. Second Quarter: No vacancies occurred during this quarter. Third Quarter: One half-time Productions Coordinator's position occurred and was filled externally by a white male. One Legal Intern's position occurred and was filled by a minority male. Fourth Quarter: One Legal Intern's position occurred and was filled by a white male. 160 Affirmative Action goals - FY84 Page 2 Goal: As clerical vacancies arise, Administrative Departments will take PRfirmative Action to recruit and hire minority group members into such positions. First Quarter: Two white females were hired through the Mayor's Youth Program and CETA. Second Quarter: No vacancies occurred during this quarter. Third Quarter: Two white females were hired through Mayor's Youth. One white female was hired as a temporary. Fourth Quarter: No vacancies occurred during this quarter. Year End: Temporary hired: 100% non -handicapped white females (5). Goal: Administrative Departments will take Affirmative Action to employ the physically and mentally handicapped. FY84 - No hires of the physically or mentally handicapped were reported. 1449 Affirmative Actioi, .oals - FY84 Page 3 Finance Department Accounting, Treasury, Purchasing, Word Processing Divisions Goal: The Finance Department will take Affirmative Action to recruit and hire minority group members into temporary and entry level permanent clerical positions. First Quarter: No vacancies occurred during this quarter. Second Quarter: One mentally handicapped white female and one mentally handicapped white male were hired through the Work Experience Program. Third Quarter:' One mentally handicapped white female was hired through the Work Experience Program. One minority female hired through Mayor's Youth. One white female was hired as a temporary. Fourth Quarter: One mentally handicapped white female was hired through the Work Experience Program. Year End: Permanent clerical positions: No vacancies occurred during FY84. Temporary hires: 20% non -handicapped white female (1) 200. non -handicapped minority female (1) 40% mentally handicapped white female (2) 20% mentally handicapped white male (1) Goal: The Finance Department, working in conjunction with the Human Rela- tions Department, will provide career counseling and skills training to enable current female employees to become interested in and qualify for promotional opportunities. First Quarter: Training scheduled planned for the second quarter. Second Quarter: A seminar entitled Management Education for Secretaries and Clerical Workers was conducted. Third Quarter: A seminar entitled Supervision for Lead Workers was conducted. Fourth Quarter: No applicable training conducted. 140 Affirmative Action „oats FY84 Page 4 Parking Division Goal: The Parking Systems Division will take Affirmative Action to recruit and hire women, minority group members and the mentally handicapped as temporary and federally funded employees in Maintenance Worker positions. First Quarter: No vacancies occurred during this quarter. Second Quarter: No•vacancies occurred during this quarter. Third Quarter: One mentally handicapped white male was hired through Mayor's Youth. Fourth Quarter: No vacancies occurred during this quarter. Year End: Hired 100% mentally handicapped white male (1). Goal: The Parking Systems Division will continue to take Affirmative Action To—recruit and hire women and minority group members into entry level positions. Entry level position representation - Cashier, Parking Enforcement Attendant, Maintenance Worker I White Male White Female Minority Male Minority Female 1st 2nd Quarter Quarter 15% 17% 65% 63% 10% 8% 10% 13% 3rd 4th Quarter Quarter 16% 17% 64% 67%. 8% 8% 12% 8% First Quarter: Temporary Employee Representation - 42.9% white male; 42.9% white female; 14.3% minority female. Second Quarter: Temporary Employee Representation - 100% white male including a physically handicapped individual. Third Quarter: Temporary Employee Representation - 100% white male. Fourth Quarter: Temporary Employee Representation 100% white male. FY84 Representation - Temporary Hires: 58.3% non -handicapped white male 25.0% non -handicapped white female (3) 8.3% non -handicapped minority female (1) 8.3% physically handicapped white male (1) 1469 Affirmative Action oals - FY84 Page 5 Equipment Service Division Goal: The Equipment Service Division will take Affirmative Action to recruit and hire women and minority group members as temporary and federally funded employees (CETA). First Quarter: One white male was hired through the Mayor's Youth Program. Second Quarter: One white female was hired through the Mayor's Youth Program. Third Quarter: One white male and one white female were hired through Mayor's Youth. One white female was hired as a tempo- rary. Fourth Quarter: One white male was hired through Mayor's Youth. One white female was hired as a temporary. FY84 Representation: 42.9% non -handicapped white male (3) 57.1% non -handicapped white female (4) Goal: The Equipment Service Division will take Affirmative Action to recruit and hire women and minority group members into entry-level mechanic' posi- tions. No Mechanic I vacancies occurred during FY84. IG69 Affirmative Actioi..,oals - FY84 Page 6 Parks and Recreation Department Goal: The Parks and Recreation Department, working in conjunction with the Human Relations Department, will take Affirmative Action in recruitment to increase the pool of minority applicants for positions with the Parks and Recreation Department to 6%. First Quarter Representation: Permanent - 3.9% Recreation Supervisor/Aquatics - 0% Recreation Supervisor/Sports - 2.7% Two Maintenance Worker I vacancies - 23.1% Temporary - 10.0% Cemetery/Forestry - 15.8% Recreation - 9.4% Second Quarter Representation: One part-time Recreation Supervisor/SPI vacancy was filled externally by a white male from first quarter applicant pool for Recreation Supervisor/Sports. Temporary: 3.3% Cemetery/Forestry - 0% Recreation - 4.2% Third Quarter Representation: Permanent - No vacancies occurred during this quarter. Temporary - 4.4% Cemetery/Forestry - 10% Recreation - 3.8% Fourth Quarter Representation: Permanent - 27.3% Maintenance Worker II/Cemetery - 16.8% Maintenance I/Government Bldgs. 40% Temporary - Parks - 2.7% Cemetery/Forestry - 0% Rec - 5.7% Year End: Permanent: 5.1% Temporary: 5.5% Goal: The Parks and Recreation Department will take Affirmative Action in hiring to increase the representation of minority group members hired as temporary employees to 5%. First Quarter: 4.5% (male and female). Second Quarter: 4.3% (male and female). Third Quarter: 5.0% (male and female). Fourth Quarter: 4.2% (male and female). Year End: 4.4% (male and female). 1661 Affirmative Action ,oals - FY84 Page 7 Goal: The Parks and Recreation Department will take Affirmative Action to recruit and hire increased numbers of women and minority group members for Maintenance Worker positions with a goal of 2% minority group members and 10% female representation. Female Representation MWI/II TotalRepresentation Sr. Main. Wkr, Worker First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter 11.1% 0% 5.6% Minority Representation There are no minority group members currently employed as Maintenance Workers. Three Maintenance Worker I vacancies and one Maintenance Worker II vacancy occurred during FY84 and were filled internally by white males. Goal: The Parks and Recreation Department will take Affirmative Action to employ the physically and mentally handicapped. First Quarter: One mentally handicapped white female was hired as a temporary employee. Second Quarter: Two mentally handicapped white females, one physically handicapped white female, one physically handicapped minority male and two physically handicapped white males were hired as temporary employees. Third Quarter: One mentally handicapped white male was hired through the Work Experience Program. One physically handicapped white female was hired as a temporary employee. Fourth Quarter: Two mentally handicapped white males and one mentally handicapped white female were hired through the Work Experience Program and Mayor's Youth. Year End: Temporary Hires: 25% mentally handicapped white male (3) 16.8% physically handicapped white male (2) 33.3% mentally handicapped white female (4) 16.8% physically handicapped white female (2) 8.3% physically handicapped minority male (1) Goal: The Parks and Recreation Department will work, through public rela- tions, educational endeavors, and by increasing the public visibility of current women and minority group employees, to promote the entry of women and minority group members into park and recreation training programs and careers. Ongoing. ITS Affirmative Action ,oals - FY84 Page 8 Police Department Goal: The Police Department will take Affirmative Action, within the Iowa City community and surrounding areas, to vigorously recruit women and minority group members for the position of Police Officer, with a goal of 11% female and 5% minority representation. First Quarter: 9.5% Female; 4.8% Minority. Second Quarter: 9.5% Female; 4.8% Minority. Third Quarter: 10% Female; 5% Minority - increase due to current vacan- cies. Fourth Quarter: 10.3% Female; 5.1% Minority - increase due to current vacancies. Goal: The Police Department will take Affirmative Action to provide training opportunities to current minority and female Police Officers to enable them to qualify for promotional opportunities. Training is ongoing. Goal: The Police Department will take Affirmative Action to hire minority group members into the position of Clerk/Typist-Front Desk to assist in promoting good relations with the minority community as vacancies arise. First Quarter: No vacancies occurred during this quarter. Second Quarter: No vacancies occurred during this quarter. Third Quarter: No vacancies occurred during this quarter. Fourth Quarter: One Clerk/Typist - Front Desk vacancy occurred and was filled externally by a white female. Goal: The Police Department will work through public relations, educational efforts and the ride -along program to promote the interest and entry of female and minority group members into the law enforcement field. Third Quarter: A month long recruitment campaign for the position of Police Officer resulted in the receipt of 422 applications with female representation of 14.5% and minority group representation of 7.4%. Fourth Quarter: Interviews for the position of Police Officer were conducted during the fourth quarter with 8.9% female representation and 0% minority representation. Goal: The Police Department will take Affirmative Action to employ the physically and mentally handicapped in clerical support areas as -vacancies arise. Ongoing. 1669 Affirmative Action Goals - FY84 Page 9 Fire Department Goal: As Firefighter vacancies arise, the Fire Department will continue to assist in a vigorous recruitment campaign to encourage applications from women and minority group members. Vacancies are currently being filled from the existing Civil Service lists established following a vigorous recruitment campaign in Spring, 1983. Goal: Prior to the employment of a woman or minority group member as a Firefighter, a training session for all department employees will be plannend and conducted which will provide a forum for discussion of Affirmative Action issues. Goal: Prior to the employment of a woman or minority group member as a Firefighter, special training sessions will be conducted by the Human Relations Department with all Fire Department command staff, to acquaint them with their special Affirmative Action responsibilities. No women or minority group members are eligible for hire in the immediate future. Second Quarter: Carl Holmes, formerly Deputy Fire Chief for Oklahoma City and one of the highest ranking black officers in the nation, conducted 2-1/2 days of supervisory training for all Iowa City fire officers with some of the firefighters also in attendance. During the training the role of women and minority group members in the fire service was addressed. Fourth Quarter: During the fourth quarter attorneys Hayek and Brown discussed the legal responsibilities of Fire Department supervisors and employees in the area of sex discrimina- tion. (669 Affirmative Actiot, oals - FY84 Page 10 Public Works Department Engineering Division Goal: The Engineering Division will take Affirmative Action to recruit and iminority group members into Engineering Technician positions, as vacancies may arise. No Engineering Technician vacancies occurred during FY84. Goal: The Engineering Division will take Affirmative Action to recruit and hire one woman or minority group member into a summer temporary position if vacancies arise which are not filled by returning employees during FY84. First Quarter: One white mate was hired as an Engineering Intern. Second Quarter: No vacancies occurred during this quarter. Third Quarter: No vacancies occurred during this quarter. Fourth Quarter: Two white males were hired as Engineering Interns. Water Division Goal: The Water Division will continue to take Affirmative Action to maintain or exceed 20% female representation in Assistant Treatment Plant Operator and Treatment Plant Operator positions. FY84: 20% Female Representation. Goal: The Water Division will take Affirmative Action to recruit and hire women and minority group members into Maintenance Worker I and II positions and Assistant Treatment Plant Operator as vacancies arise. First Quarter: Two Maintenance Worker I vacancies occurred and were filled internally by one white male and one white female. Second Quarter: One Maintenance Worker II vacancy occurred and was filled internally by a white female. Third Quarter: No Maintenance Worker positions occurred during this quarter. Fourth Quarter: No Maintenance Worker positions occurred during this quarter. Pollution Control Goal: The Pollution Control Division will take Affirmative Action to recruit and hire women and minority group members into Maintenance Worker II, Assistant Treatment Plant Operator, and Treatment Plant Operator positions as vacancies arise, with a goal of 10% female or minority group representation. FY84 Representation: 0% female; 11.1% minority. No vacancies occurred. /669 Affirmative Actioi. coals - FY84 Page 11 Goal: The Pollution Control Division will take Affirmative Action to recruit women and minority group members into part-time Laboratory Technician positions as vacancies arise. First Quarter: One Laboratory Technician vacancy occurred and was filled by a white male. Representation: 50% minority male and 50% white male. Second Quarter: No vacancies occurred during this quarter. Representa- tion: 50% minority male and 50% white male. Third Quarter: One Laboratory Technician vacancy occurred and was filled by a white female. Representation: 33.3% minority male; 33.3% white male; 33.3% white female. Fourth Quarter: No vacancies occurred during this quarter. Representa- tion 33.3% minority male; 33.3% white male; 33.3% white female. FY84 Representation: 33.3% minority male (1); 33.3% white male (1); 33.3% white female (1). Streets/Sanitation Goal: The Streets/Sanitation Division will take Affirmative Action to recruit and hire women and minority group members as temporary employees with a goal of 5% female and 5% minority group representation. First Quarter: Three white males were hired through CETA and one white male and one minority male were hired as temporary employees. Total Temporary Employee Representation: 80% white male, 20% minority male. Second Quarter: No vacancies occurred during this quarter. No tempo- raries currently employed. Third Quarter: One white male was hired as a temporary. Total Temporary Employee Representation: 100% white male. Fourth Quarter: Five white males and one white female were hired as temporaries. Two white males were hired through DTPA. Total Temporary employee representation: 87.5% white male; 12.5% white female. Year End: Temporary Hires: 77.8% white male (7); 11.1% white female (1); 11.1% minority male (1) CETA/JTPA Hires: 100% white male (5) Goal: The Sanitation Division will take Affirmative Action to continue to Ti—re mentally handicapped employees under federally funded programs. First Quarter: Two mentally handicapped white males were hired through the Mayor's Youth Program. Second Quarter: No hires reported. 1699 Affirmative Actic I,oals - FY84 ^ Page 12 Third Quarter: No hires reported. Fourth Quarter: No hired reported. Goal: The Streets/Sanitation Division will continue to provide training and career counseling to current minority and female employees to enable them to qualify for promotional opportunities. Ongoing. Traffic Engineering Goal: The Traffic Engineering Division will take Affirmative Action to recruit and hire female or minority group members into Maintenance Worker II positions, as vacancies arise. No Maintenance Worker II vacancies occurred during FY84. Transit Division Goal: The Transit Division will strive to maintain a position of leadership in the utilization of women and minority group members as Transit Drivers and Maintenance Workers. Transit Driver: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter White Male 69.6% 65.2% 65.2% 63.0% White Female 17.4% 19.6% 19.6% 21.7% Minority Male 10.9% 13.0% 13.0% 13.0% Minority Female 2.2% 2.2% 2.2% 2.2% Goal: The Transit Division will take Affirmative Action to recruit, hire and rntain women and the handicapped as night crew maintenance workers. Race/Sex of 1st 2nd 3rd 4th MWI & II Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter White Male 100% 100% 100% 100% White Female 0% 0% 0% 0% Minority Male 0% 0% 0% O% Minority Female 0% 0% 0% 0% First Quarter: One white male was hired as a temporary on the night maintenance crew. No report of handicapped status among current employees. Second Quarter: One minority male was hired as a temporary maintenance aide through the Mayor's Youth Program. No report of handicapped status among current employees. Third Quarter: No vacancies occurred during this quarter. No report of handicapped status among current employees. /669 Affirmative Action Goals - FY84 Page 13 Affirmative Actior, foals - FY84 Page 14 Planning and Program Development Department Goal: The Planning and Program Development Department will take Affirmative Action to provide internship opportunities to women and minority group members with a goal of 30% female representation and 5% minority representa- tion. Intern Representation: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th FY84 Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Total White Male 16,7% 16.7% 9.1% 22.2% 15.6% White Female 50.0% 50.0% 36.4% 66.7% 50.0% Minority Male 16.7% 16.7% 27.3% 11.1% 18.8% Minority Female 16.7% 16.7% 27.3% 0% 15.6% 6 interns 6 interns 11 interns 9 interns employed employed employed employed Goal: As vacancies arise, the Planning and Program Development Department w'take Affirmative Action to recruit women and minority group members for Associate Planner, Sr. Planner and Coordinator positions on a national basis, utilizing minority skills banks where possible. First Quarter: No vacancies occurred during this quarter. Second Quarter: No vacancies occurred during this quarter. Third Quarter: One PFT and one PPT Associate Planner position occurred and were filled internally by a white female. Fourth Quarter: One PPT Associate Planner position occurred and was filled externally by a white female. Goal: The Planning and Program Development Department will continue to provide career counseling and training including attendance of workshops, seminars and University courses to enable current female employees to qualify for promotional opportunities. Ongoing. 09 Affirmative Actioi, Goals - FY84 Page 15 Housing & Inspection Services Department Goal: The Housing & Inspection Services Department will take Affirmative Action to recruit and hire qualified minority group members into positions as Housing or Building Inspectors, as vacancies arise. First Quarter: No vacancies occurred during this quarter. Second Quarter: No vacancies occurred during this quarter. Third Quarter: No vacancies occurred during this quarter. Fourth Quarter: One Building Inspector -Plumbing vacancy occurred and was filled externally by a white male. Goal: The Housing & Inspection Services Department will take Affirmative Action to recruit and hire minority group members into clerical and parapro- fessional assistant positions in the Housing Division. First Quarter: One clerical vacancy occurred and was filled internally by a white female. Second Quarter: No vacancies occurred during this quarter. Third Quarter: No vacancies occurred during this quarter. Fourth Quarter: No vacancies occurred during this quarter. Goal: The Housing & Inspection Services Department will continue to encour- age the professional development of female paraprofessional and technical employees through attendance of workshops, seminars and University of Iowa courses to enable them to qualify for promotional opportunities. Ongoing. On-the-job training and external training seminars are provided. Goal: The Housing & Inspection Services Department will take Affirmative Action to employ the physically or mentally handicapped and minority group members in temporary or contractual positions. First Quarter: No hires reported. Second Quarter: One permanent part-time Maintenance Worker I position was added and filled by a white male. No report of handi- capped status among current employees. Third Quarter: No hires reported. Fourth Quarter: No hires reported. Goal: The Leased Housing Division public housing facilities which are employees and members of the public. Ongoing. will continue to maintain offices and accessible to potential handicapped M Affirmative Action Goals - FY84 Page 16 Senior Center Goal: The Senior Center will continue to encourage the professional develop- ment of current female professional staff through attendance of workshops, seminars, and University of Iowa courses. Ongoing. Goal: The Senior Center will take Affirmative Action to recruit and hire members of protected age categories into temporary and permanent clerical positions. No vacancies occurred during FY84. Goal: The Senior Center will take Affirmative Action to recruit and hire females, minority members and the mentally handicapped into temporary positions. First Quarter: No vacancies occurred during this quarter. Second Quarter: Two mentally handicapped white females were hired through the Mayor's Youth Program. Third Quarter: One minority female was hired through Mayor's Youth. One Intern's position occurred and was filled by a minority female. No report of handicapped status among current employees. Fourth Quarter: One minority female was hired through the Cultural Exchange Program sponsored by the University. No reports of handicapped status among current employees. Year End: Temporary Hires: 40% mentally handicapped white females (2) 60% non -handicapped minority females (3) Goal: The Senior Center will take Affirmative Action to provide members of protected age categories with meaningful volunteer employment opportunities that would provide training for permanent employment. First Quarter: Eight white females and two white males between the ages of 40 and 70 were employed this quarter. Second Quarter: Six white females and one white male between the age of 40 and 70 were employed this quarter. Third Quarter: Eleven white females, three white males and one minority male between the ages of 40 and 70 were employed this quarter. Fourth Quarter: Nine white females and three white males between the ages of 40 and 70 were employed this quarter. Year End: Volunteer Hires: 77.3% white female (34) 20.5% white male (4) 2.3% minority male (1) tU9 Affirmative Action Goals - FY84 Page 17 Library Goal: The Iowa City Public Library will take Affirmative Action to increase the representation of minority group members on the library staff. Ongoing. Gaal: As professional vacancies arise, Affirmative Action will be taken to recruit minority group members on a national basis. No professional vacancies occurred during FY84. Goal: As clerical and para-professional vacancies arise, the library administrative staff will take Affirmative Action to recruit and hire minority group members into such positions. First Quarter: 100% white males and females were hired into Library Clerk positions. Second Quarter: No vacancies occurred during this quarter. Third Quarter: No vacancies occurred during this quarter. Fourth Quarter: No vacancies occurred during this quarter. Goal: Because of the frequency of transfer and recruitments from temporary and volunteer jobs to permanent positions, the Library will make special efforts to recruit and hire minority group members into these positions. First Quarter: 100% white males and females were hired into temporary positions. Second Quarter: 100% white females were hired into temporary and volun- teer positions. Third Quarter: 34.4% white males, 73.3% white females and 2.2% minority females were hired into volunteer positions. Fourth Quarter: 14.3% white males, 50% white females, 7.1% minority males and 28.6% minority females were hired to temporary and volunteer positions. Goal: The Library will take Affirmative Action to employ the physically and mentally handicapped. First Quarter: Four mentally handicapped persons and two physically handicapped persons were employed as volunteers. Second Quarter: One physically handicapped person was employed as a vol- unteer. Third Quarter: Two mentally handicapped persons and one physically handicapped person were employed as volunteers. 1667 City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: August 16, 1984 To: City Council and City Manager n From: Frank Farmer, City Engineer Re: 1983 Paving Improvements (Lyon's Second Addition) Project The above-mentioned project was an alley paving special assessment project which ran north from Bowery Street between Van Buren and Johnson Streets and east to Johnson Street. The cost of 'this project was 100% assessed to the adjoining property owners, with no cost to the City. bj3/4 100 City of Iowa Cit- MEMORANDUM it- MEMORANDUM Date: August 13, 1984 To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: Richard J. Boyle, Assistant City Attorney (�'lP-' Re: Electronic Bug Control Devices - "Bug Zappers" As you requested, we have reviewed current City ordinances to determine whether there is any City ordinance which could be applied to regulate electronic bug control devices, conmonly referred to as "bug zappers." The basic problem with such devices (aside from the question of effectiveness, which is not relevant to this memorandum) appears to be that the noise generated by their operation is annoying or disturbing to others. The City's "Noise Control Ordinance" (Ord. No. 82-3076; Chapter 24.4, City Code of Ordinances) provides that a "noise disturbance" is - "Any sound of such character, intensity and duration which endangers or injures the welfare, safety or health of a human being, or annoys or disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivities, or endangers or injures personal or real property."* Even assuming bug zappers do create a noise disturbance as defined in the City's Noise Ordinance, there is in the ordinance no prohibition against noise disturbances from any activity remotely similar to operation of such devices. That is, the ordinance does not regulate or prohibit the use of such devices. The prohibitions• in the ordinance generally relate to motor vehicles (secs. 24.4-4(c), (d), and (e), and 24.4-7), musical instruments (sec. 24.4-5), sound equipment and sound amplifying equipment (sec. 24.4-6), and commercial or industrial activities (secs. 24.4-4(a) and (b), 24.4-9). In our opinion, none of the prohibitions would apply to bug zappers operated on residential property. We have found no other City ordinance which would apply to such devices. If the members of the City Council wish to pursue a legislative solution, a couple of avenues suggest themselves. First, you might amend the Noise Control Ordinance to prohibit use of such devices, either entirely or during certain hours, such as 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Second, you might prohibit their use in such a manner as to create a noise disturbance across residential property lines. Without becoming too technical, as a general rule, a legislative body such as the City Council, may not define as a nuisance, and prohibit, an activity which is not, in fact, a nuisance. 58 Am. Jur. 2d, Nuisances, Sec. 15. That is, a legislative declaration that something is a nuisance ns not conclusive, and is subject to judicial review. 58 Am. Jur. 2d, Sec. 16. With respect to bug zappers, it may be that their use in some places and circumstances is not *This definitionis beang challenged as impermissibly vague by the plaintiff in Home Town Dairies v. Cit of Iowa City. 1671 offensive, and indeed may be beneficial - for example, if located near trash container areas of grocery stores or restaurants. In those cases, it is doubtful that a court would sustain a use prohibition because such devices would not be nuisances under all circumstances. That is, since they may not be nuisances under all circumstances, such devices may not legally be nuisances, in fact, and therefore, either an outright or limited ban probably would not withstand judicial scrutiny. See, 56 Am. Jur. 2d, Municipal Corps., etc., Sec. 444. On the other hand, prohibiting the use of bug zappers in such a manner as to create noise disturbances across residential property lines probably would be valid if, in fact, the noise they create is injurious to the public health, safety or welfare. However, such a prohibition would be difficult for the City to enforce since each case would require proof that the character, intensity or duration of the noise such devices generate either (1) endangers or injures the welfare, safety or health of a human being, or (2) annoys or disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivities. Those are not matters which would normally be within the knowledge of the City's law enforcement personnel. Rather, each case would require evidence from those endangered, injured, annoyed or disturbed by the noise from a device. As a practical matter, the City could only prosecute upon the basis of complaints filed by citizens. Because of the current challenge to the validity of the "Noise Disturbance" definition, we would recommend that Council make no changes to the Noise Control Ordinance until that challenge has been resolved. /sp cc: Robert W. Jansen W7 City of Iowa Chp, MEMORANDUM Date: August 16, 1984 To: City Council / � / From: Joe Fowler, Parking Systems Supervisor r" /° � Re: Municipal Parking Lot Permits The attached letter will be mailed to all permit holders in the Dubuque Street parking ramp. As indicated in the letter, the lot will be open only until the expansion project is complete in the Dubuque Street parking ramp. The actual number of permits to be moved to the lot will be determined once the hotel construction is completed and the lot becomes available for permit parking. If sufficient permit holders do not volunteer to move to the lot, the City will select the rest of the permits to be moved by a lottery drawing. bj4/5 is'7a CITY OF IOWA CITY CMC CENTER 410 E. WASHNGTON ST. IOWA CfiY, IOWA 52240 (319) 356-500D August 16, 1984 Dear Permit Parker: The City of Iowa City is anticipating a shortage of off-street parking in the central business district this fall. To relieve this demand we will open the remaining portion of the municipal lot at the corner of College and Linn Streets sometime this fall. In an effort to provide ramp parking to shoppers and office patrons we will operate the lot as a "PERMIT PARKING ONLY' area. Approximately 90 permits will be moved from the Dubuque Street ramp to the municipal lot. At this time we are giving the option of moving to the parker. It will be a trade-off of parking under cover to being closer to the plaza and not waiting in line behind paying customers to exit. This move would be in effect only until the Dubuque Street Ramp is expanded. At that time all permits would be moved back to the ramp. Please return the enclosed form by September 3, 1984; indicating if you wish to be moved. If sufficient permit holders do not request to move, the City will move permits to fill the lot. Thank you for your cooperation. Sincerely, Joe Fowler Parking Systems Supervisor /sp 16-7a City of Iowa Citi MEMORANDUM Date: August 14, /1984 To: Department Division Heads From: Don ch sen, Re: Appointment of Senior Planner Please be advised that Ms. Karin Franklin has been appointed to fill the vacant Senior Planner position in the Urban Planning Division. Karin is well qualified to assume the position having obtained her master's degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Iowa and several years of planning experience. Please give Karin your utmost support and feel free to contact her relative to matters of the Urban Planning Division. bdw2/5 1473 City of Iowa City. MEMORANDUM Date: August 17, 1984 To: City Boards and Commissions and Interested Groups, Agencies and Individuals From: r1'Mickey Lauria, Chairperson, Committee on Community Needs }1 Jim Hencin, CDBG Program Coordinator Re: 1985 Community Development Block Grant Funds The Committee on Community Needs (CCN) is once again beginning its annual solicitation of ideas and proposals for federal funding through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. All 1985 proposals must be submitted to CCN by October 2, 1984. The City of Iowa City expects to receive approximately $736,000 in CDBG funds for projects beginning January 1, 1985. Proposals for COBG funding must meet the following general criteria: 1. Be eligible for expenditure of COBG funds in accordance with regula- tions of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). 2. Benefit low- and moderate -income persons; aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight; or meet an uLr e�nt community develop- ment need resulting from a threat to the hea and welfare of the community. 3. Have a reasonable expectation of being completed within one year. In general, the City will not fund project operating expenses through the CDBG program. But capital projects --those involving the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation or installation of facilities or improvements --which meet the above criteria, will be considered. If you have a project that you wish to propose to CCN, you may obtain a form for its submission, along with other information, from the Department of Planning and Program Development, Civic Center, 410 East Washington Street, Iowa City, Iowa 52240, telephone - 356-5245 or 356-5247. CCI1 will hold two community -wide public hearings to receive funding proposals: September 18 - 3:30 p.m., Iowa City Public Library - Meeting Room A October 2 - 7:30 p.m., Iowa City Public Library - Meeting Room A All persons are welcome to attend one or both of these hearings to submit their proposals. Proposals may also be mailed to CCN at the Civic Center if you are unable to attend one of the public hearings. For further information about the CDBG program and the upcoming public hearings, please contact Marianne Milkman (356-5245) or Monica Moen (356-5247). bdw518 CITY UF I0W/A CITY CHIC CENTER 410 E. WASHINGTON ST. IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240 (319) 356-5000 August 17, 1984 PRESS RELEASE Contact Person: Marianne Milkman 356-5245 Monica Moen 356-5247 Dept. of Planning and Program Development Re: 1985 Community Development Block Grant Program The Committee on Community Needs (CCN) is once again beginning its annual solicitation of ideas and proposals for the use of federal funds through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The City of Iowa City expects to receive approximately $736,000 in CDBG funds from the U.S. Department of Housing dna Urban Development for projects beginning January 1, 1985. The Committee on Community Needs will hold public hearings on Tuesday, Septem- ber 18, 1984, at 3:30 PM and on Tuesday, October 2, 1984, at 7:30 PM to hear citizens' suggestions on the use of the CDBG funds. Both hearings will be held in Meeting Room A of the Iowa City Public Library. The intent of the CDBG program is the development and maintenance of viable urban Communities by providing decent housing, a suitable living environment and expansion of economic opportunities for persons of low and moderate income levels. All projects and activities must either principally benefit low and IG75 2 moderate income persons, aid in the prevention or elimination of slums and blight, or meet an urgent community development need resulting from a threat to the health and welfare of the community. A wide range of projects are eligible for CDBG funding provided they meet the above-mentioned criteria. In the past nine years, CDBG funds have been used in ! Iowa City for a variety of projects including housing rehabilitation grants and loans, a housing code enforcement program, and neighborhood improvements such as sidewalk repair, storm drainage and creek channel improvements and park and playground equipment installation. COBG funds have also been used to remove architectural barriers in public buildings and at numerous intersections and to assist several human services organizations in obtaining• buildings to house their programs or to renovate their present facilities. The public hearings scheduled by CCN will provide an opportunity for citizens to present their ideas and priorities for projects in the community. Project proposal forms, along with other information about the CDBG program, may be obtained from the Department of Planning and Program Development, Civic Center, 410 E. Washington Street, Iowa City, Iowa 52240. Anyone unable to attend these hearings may mail their proposals to: Mickey Lauria, Chairperson, Committee on Community Needs, at the City Civic Center address. Proposals should reach CCN no later than October 2, 1984. -0- From: Administrative Offices tp2/6 WK parks & recreation department MEMO to: City Manager and City Council from. Dennis E. Showalter re: Development and Maintenance Costs d a t e . Auoust 16, 1984 for the Proposed Miller Park The costs listed below are for the proposed Miller Park, with different boundaries and a different configuration than previously discussed, and a slightly smaller size --4.4 acres (see map). Development Costs: 1. Establish blue grass turf on 2.35 acres. $ 633.00 2. Selectively thin and prune existing trees on the east one-half of wooded area --leave the west one- half native for present. S 1,950.00 3. Raze old house, haul away brick. $ 7,500.00 4. Raze walls and foundation of out buildings, fill in basement areas. $2,500.00 5. Cost of play equipment, picnic tables. $ 3,500.00 Total Costs $16,083.00 Maintenance Costs: 1. Mowing, trash pick-up, equipment repair. $ 3,500.00/acre city of iowa city r676 t N 3aALE: I ° = /on PRDp4sEo MILL a N 14%, MINUTES OF STAFF MEETING August 1, 1984 Referrals from the informal and formal Council meeting were distributed to the staff for review and discussion (copy attached). The Director of Human Relations announced the first edition of the Employee Newsletter will be out next week. The City Manager advised that he will be on vacation for two weeks. He added that the agenda should be kept at a minimum during August when some staff members and Council members are on vacation. A large volume of material will be going to the Council in September regarding the Space Committee, the Waste Water Treatment Committee, the Iowa -Illinois Franchise Committee, etc. Prepared by: Lorraine Saeger /477 a Informa July 30 Page 2 Charter Dicyclis Sturgis IH l Isbori 1121 East Parking L Ridge Roa MINUTES OF STAFF MEETING August 8, 1984 Items for the agenda of August 14 include: Resolution authorizing the submission of application for 14 Section 8 Existing Housing Certificates Resolution authorizing the execution of a revised Annual Contributions Contract Ordinance amending the tree regulations section of the Zoning Ordinance, ,first reading Ordinance to amend off-street parking requirements, first reading Ordinance to amend the definitions section of the Zoning Ordinance to include a definition of planting areas, first reading Ordinance rezoning 624 South Gilbert Street from CI -1 to CC -2, first reading Ordinance amending Zoning Ordinance regarding manufactured housing, first reading Resolution approving LSNRD plan for R -Plaza, Phase 2 Resolution authorizing amendment to agreement with Emergency Housing Project Resolution adopting final schedule of assessments for paving improvements, Lyon's 2nd Addition Public hearing on industrial revenue bonds for Southgate Development Resolution approving agreement with University Heights for transit services Resolution raising parking fees Resolution approving an agreement between the Pofice Department and the Postal Service Resolution approving an agreement with von Briesen and Redmond for labor negotiation services The staff was reminded of the deadline for submission of annual reports of boards and commissions. The Assistant City Manager asked that quarterly reports be submitted by the due date. Prepared by: �'✓cQa�w �'Ct- o„w Lorraine Saeger 1677 MINUTES OF STAFF MEETING August 15, 1984 Referrals from the informal and formal Council meetings of August 13 and 14 were distributed to the staff for review and discussion (copy attached). The Assistant City Manager briefly discussed with the staff the matter of writing comments for agenda items. On those items which were initiated by previous Council members and on which the present Council members are asked to take action, the comments should give the background. A memorandum should be furnished if this will make the comment too lengthy. Prepared by: !w�au�c a LAI Lorraine Saeger 1677 Regular Council August 14, 1984 R -Plaza Manufactured Financing of Good News Bib Olympic Succe Cliff Apartme Iowa Avenue C. Employee News Regular Council Meeting nl=PA RTAAGAIT QCCCMM A I Q N K U A publication for subscribers to the APA Planning Advisory Service April 1984 84.4 Administrative Organization By Lisa Linowes . Over the past few years, PAS has received many in- quiries on the organization of planning activities within municipal governments. As a result, PAS decided it was time to survey planning agencies about this issue. We collected 27 municipal organizational charts, mostly from PAS subscribers. Approximately one-third of these sur- veyed cities had already questioned us on organizational practices in local planning agencies; the remaining two- thirds were randomly chosen. Findings Subsequent telephone interviews with planning staff in all 27 cities revealed that most cities have reorganized planning activities within the last five years. Reorganiza- tion has taken the form of either consolidation or separa- tion of planning -related divisions or departments. For the most part, it appears that cities have consoli- dated their departments, thereby establishing a single unit for administering planning matters. The Department of Planning and Community Development, the Department of Municipal Development, and the Department of Development Services are examples of titles assigned to these units. Further, administrators identified the follow- ing reasons for consolidating thew planning departments: streamlining; cost-cutting (sharing expenses); increasing Lisa Linowes is an APA research assistant. internal consistancy; and reducing duplication of efforts. The most common divisions within these departments are comprehensive planning, current planning, and zon- ing services (changes and amendments to the zoning ordi- nance, building inspections, and building and zoning codes enforcement activities). Also, other activities that, in some cities, constitute independent divisions are urban renewal. CDBG administration, parking, transportation. and parks and recreation. First, the comprehensive planning division, often called the advanced planning division, deals with the creation of a general plan. This plan arises from concerns iden- tified in community-based studies as well as recommen- dations generated from public input. Typically, the gen- eral plan consists of a set of long-range goals and tasks developed to meet these goals. Even if a general plan has not been established by a particular community, this com- munity will usually have devised some sort of long-range goals program. Second, the current planning division is responsible for keeping daily land -use activities consistent with elements in the general plan (or long-range goals program). Cur- rent planning activities include reviewing site-specific plans, directing special projects (e.g., neighborhood revitalization), and processing development proposals. Depending upon the particular agency, responding to re- quests for zoning changes and amendments also may be current planning functions; many communities have created divisions to focus specifically on these zoning con- cerns. Further, because the nature of their responsibilities puts them into constant interaction with the public, cur- rent planners keep comprehensive planners informed on local needs and attitudes. Essentially, then, the current planning division deals with basic land -use management f.................................................. CITT OF IMP C[iT Cm COUXEII ; IaRO OF RUMI COIINn IaRO DIRECTORS POINY BOARD Or SUPERVISORS i CITYMA HAD 7'8's0'0G:-_-S PROGRAMR t PMEMT A JCCODHUMAN SERVICESCOORDINATOR,IiRIAN PUNNING i TRANSPORIMION RURAL PUNNINDDMSION OIYISID DIVISION ...... eaandan of Jo4mo GURU Cattail 01 Da"FrMIA11 IJCC0G1 And theN Stan American Planning Association, 1313 E. 60th St., Chicago, IL 60637; 312-955-9100 109 Cm Of CUwat1US MMLIC PUBLIC SENVICE in a wav that assures conformity of day-to-day activities with an updated general plan or long-range goals program. Each of the surveyed cities located comprehensive and current planning activities within the same department. However, consolidation or separation of these activities into different divisions within these departments varied. Third, regarding zoning services (changes and amend- ments to the zoning ordinance, building inspections, and zoning and building codes enforcement activities), most municipalities have created specific divisions for dealing with each activity or have combined activities into a single division, either in the same department or in separate departments. For example, the Costa Mesa, California, Department of Development Services has building inspections and codes enforcement in its planning division; in the Omaha. Nebraska, Department of Plan. ning, the building and development division is responsible for all zoning- and building -related activities; the Eau Claire. Wisconsin, Department of Planning and Develop- ment's planning division is charged with administering changes and amendments to the zoning ordinance, while its Departmeni of Public Works' inspection and zoning ser- vices division has responsibility for administering building inspections and codes enforcement activities. Upon identifying major planning activities (described above) and their distribution within municipal govern- ments, several important questions emerge. Should com- prehensive and current planning be assigned to the same or different divisions? Is the administration of changes The PAS Memo is a monthly publication for subscribers to the Plarmmg Advisory Sirius. a subscription rruneh urvice of the American Planning Auocutian: Isrul Smllmon, Evcuuve Director; Frank S. So. Deputy E,evove Director. udith Grins. Director of Rinu,n: . the PASAIrm0 is prxi I AM Svlvia lewu. Publications Du yor. Grgop• 4n¢mi. Editor. Adele Rolhblau. Amours Editor. Ira"A MEMI I IUDGn OFFICE I . goMa/m as flaw llMlarl Maalrmra DVNRfMEW Ifill S I I DEVELD ME DIVISION "SION SEfINCES II FEMME OMSION DEVEM MEW 0 VIS10N and amendments to thezoning ordinance better off apart from the administration of building inspections and zon- ing and building codes enforcement? Finding the best way to organize major planning activities effectively within an administrative framework, then, is the focus of these questions. Results of conversations with planners, who are working in cities that are trying to resolve this organ- izational issue. appear below. Four cities, in particular, were chosen for discussion in this Memo. Iowa City, Columbus, Omaha, and Scottsdale were selected from the 27 cities originally surveyed, for either representing a trend or exhibiting a unique approach to the organization of planning activities. It must be noted, though, that the cities identified with specific changes here also made other adjustments to the organization of responsibilities within their administrations. Consolidation and Separation of Comprehensive and Current of Activities: Iowa City, Iowa, and Columbus, Ohio Iowa City has, within the past four years, combined comprehensive and current planning activities into a single division in its Department of Planning and Pro- gram Development. Before 1979, separate comprehensive and current planning divisions existed in this department. While comprehensive planning administrators were re- sponsible for preparing the general plan, current plan- ning administrators were responsible for daily planning functions like studying proposed amendments to the zon- ing ordinance, approving or rejecting subdivision plat ap- Published ION by Are ican Planning Association, 1313 E. 40th SI.. Chirago, IL E0r37. The American Pluitin5 Auociuien has hradgwnen Offices at 1774 Massachusetts Ave.. N.w'., Washington, DC 20034. All rights rearved. No put of this publication may be reproduced or utilized In any form or by any means. electronic or mechanical. Including photocopyint, recording. or by any information coca as and retrieval system, without permission in write, from the American Planning Association. 4078 plications, and soon. In 1979, however, this separation disappeared with the reorganization of the Department of Planning and Program Development. Upon completing its general plan. Iowa City decided to merge comprehen- sive and current planning activities into its present urban planning division. Apparently, city administrators fell the former distinction was no longer necessary because com- prehensive planners had reached their target—creation of a general plan. At present, the new urban planning division is responsible for both long-range and short- range planning, in particular, zoning and subdivision regulations, economic development, and downtown revitalization. (See diagram on page 1.) Unlike Iowa City, Columbus decided to separate com- prehensive and current planning activities in its Depart- ment of Development. In the past, this department con- tained planning, code enforcement, community devel- opment. building regulations, and economic development divisions. Within this department's planning division, administrators dealt with zoning and land -use controls. comprehensive planning, area (current) planning, and col- lection and dissemination of planning -related informa- tion. The location of these activities within the planning division changed with a massive reorganization of admin- istrative responsibilities; the Department of Development was dissolved and replaced by the Departments of Human Services and Job Development, and an Office of Budget and Management (not a department) was estab- lished directly under the mayor. First, the Department of Human Services consists of the neighborhood services and community services divi- sions. The latter division deals with neighborhood plan- ning, housing rehabilitation, self-help programs, environ- mental blight abatement, weatherization, and urban homesteading—various elements of past area (current) planning responsibilities; the former division deals with consumer protection, youth services, and contract management. !next, the Department of Jobs Development covers three divisions: economic development; minority and female business development: and development regula- tion. Economic development administrators are respon- sible for business and employment creation and retention, UDAGs, and urban revitalizaton: minority and female business development administrators are responsible for dealing with the growth and development of minority and female business interests; development regulation admin. istrators are responsible for zoning services (i.e., building and zoning codes enforcement and subdivision control), remaining elements of past area (current) planning functions. Finally, the new Office of Budget and Management (OBM) handles municipal finances and reviews general (comprehensive) planning policy, conducts area growth analyses, and identifies economic development issues. With respect to these so-called "strategic planning" re- sponsibilities, the OBM acts in an advisory capacity to the Departments of Human Services and Jobs Develop- ment. However, ultimate decision-making power rests with these departments. (See diagram on page 2.)_ Location of Zoning Services: Omaha, Nebraska, and Scottsdale, Arizona Omaha has redistributed responsibilities for planning matters within its administration. In 1983, this city dis- solved its Department of Housing and Community Devel- opment, established a new Department of Planning, and created three divisions within this new department. All of these divisions are centered on key elements that com- posed the old Department of Housing and Community Development. These divisions are urban planning (com- prehensive planning and urban design), building and development (planning implementation and permits and inspections), and housing and community development. The location of zoning services has also changed: respons- ibility for all zoning services is concentrated now in the building and development division. Before reorganization, matters related to the zoning or- dinance were separated from codes enforcement activities. Administration of a plan (tied to amendmentsand changes to the zoning ordinance) was assigned to a regulatory com- mission. Actual implementation of this same plan (tied to codes enforcement activities) was assigned to a sepa�rate planning enforcement division. Further, according toNt•let- Cm OF OIAANA YAroR OOMMUNITr DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT R[SGRCX OFFICE ApMiNI51R,nIDN 1 i MAMAS Of1ICE Of PROJECT ICONOMIC OEY[IOPNENT I OnELOPM[N7 I UflMX PUNNING aDIIpIN^ S MOUSING i COMMUNm pIYIS10N 0[Y[IOPM[N1�UIYISIph O[V[LOPMENT DIVISION 1 I PLANNING F14MIn AND IMPt[MENIATIDN INSPECTIONS 16'78 Cin of scommu Cm PANNIER ASOSYNI Cm YNNNGEY CoYYUNm DEYEIOIYER DENRIYENE MUD "mmuNm DmILDIPYENr Np11NInRNfIN ASSIrYl1 COYYUNm oENEl mir DEPNREYENr NLAo OnEEONEENE Puluc UWAV S PONS MIOGRNY MIOGM COYYUMm CumOYFR NWER INSIEmoM PLANNING SERMCES REYIEW EEROCES MOGRNY YmfIDM dYISIOM YMEION ter written by the mayor to the city council in 1982, these changes were intended to streamline permit procedures; decrease the processing time of a document by depending on only one department for plan conceptualization, plan check, and plan approval; combine efforts of planning administrators with codes enforcement administrators to ensure across-the-board adherence to development deci- sions; provide a single contact point for persons interested in the total development process; and increase both crea- tivity and productivity of staff by merging talents and ideas at all levels of the planning process. Jr. addition, the advantage of bringing codes enforce- ment and implementation procedures together is that development should then have a greater chance of being completed as orginally proposed and projected from its conception because project planning, approval, financing, and implementation have been consolidated. (See diagram on page 3.) Scottsdale s proposal to combine inspection and zoning services within a single division is by far the most inten- sive effort of this kind among the surveyed cities. Scotts- da!e's answer to eliminating the inefficiences of frag- mented codes enforcement and implementation pro- cedures is manifested in its One -Stop -Shop program. A customer services division, project review division, and inspection services division form the basis of this program. First, the customer services division links together all phases of the development process at the initial for con- ceptual) stages of a project. General questions, applica. tion and plan submittals, fees, and record management are handled by this division. Next. the project review divi- sion deals with the preliminary and final approval of a project. These duties consist of technical assistance, responding to changes and amendments to the zoning ordinance, zoning enforcement, rezoning, and project monitoring. Essentially, then, this division assures that development activities are consistent with Scottsdale's general plan's objectives and long-range goals. Further, the inspection services division coordinates the actual implementation of a project from beginning (approval) to end (completion) through administering such respons- ibilities as utility clearance and on -and off-site inspection. Ultimately, the implementation of this One -Stop -Shop program should reduce the development review process by 11 days (24 to 13 days), decrease the final plan review by 22 days (34 to 12 days), and reduce the amount of time spent for over-the-counter permit services by an anticipated 50 percent. It is also predicted that it will in- crease accountability, improve service, and increase man- power efficiency—the primary goals of this program. (See diagram above.) Conclusions The Iowa City approach represents the general trend in locating comprehensive and current planning activities within municipal governments. This city has combined these activities into a single department that is respons- ible for administering planning matters. Columbus, on the other hand, represents a more unique approach. Comprehensive planning activities have been removed almost completely from the two departments that deal with planning matters (Departments of Human Services and Job Development) and placed into a separate office under the mayor. At present, comprehensive planning activities are the responsibility of the Office of Budget and Management, in its strategic planning division. Fur- Iher, both Scottsdale and Omaha represent the general trend towards consolidation of zoning services. While Omaha has reorganized these services to the extent that most cities have in this survey (i.e., combined them Into a single division), Scottsdale has progressed one step more by creating a new development services program within its community development department. This program, as previously explained, should eliminate the generally complicated and lime -consuming processes associated with the administration of zoning services. /678 CITY OF IOWA CITY CIVIC CENTER 410 E. WASHINGTON ST. IOWA CITY. IOWA 52240 (319) 356-5000 August 22, 1984 Mr. Daniel L. Bray 330 South Clinton Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Dear Mr. Bray: At its regular meeting of August 14, 1984, the City Council received and placed on file your letter concerning missing sidewalks in the Weeber, Harlocke and Benton Streets area. The Public Works Department has compiled a list of areas where sidewalks are missing and has estimated the cost of installation. A Capital Improve- ment Project financed with special assessments will be proposed for inclu- sion in the FY 86 Capital Improvement Program for construction between July and November 1985. Additional requests will be added to this project until January 1, 1985. At that time letters will be sent to the affected property owners informing them of the special assessment project and allowing appropriate time for the owners to install the sidewalks. Thank you for bringing this problem to the Council's attention. Please contact me if you have any questions about this matter. Sincer ly yours, 4e1. -r / Z - Neal G. Berlin City Manager Is cc: City Codncil" City Clerk 1479 r City of Iowa Cit, MEMORANDUM Date: August 14, 1984 To: Neal Berlin, City Manager From: Frank Farmer, City Engineer'��• Re: Missing Sidewalk Recently complaints have been received by the Engineering Division regarding lack of sidewalk along various city streets. The attached drawings show the location and estimated cost of installing sidewalk in those areas where complaints have been received. Special assessment is the financing method available to insure installa- tion of sidewalks. A Capital Improvement Project for a sidewalk special assessment project could be included in the FY86 Capital Improvement Program for construction between July 1985 and November 1985. Areas, other than those shown on the attached drawings could be added to the program up until after January 1, 1985. After that date it would be difficult for the Engineering Division to complete the preliminary assessment schedule, plans and specifications in a timely manner. A cut off date for adding locations to the program must be established so that after approval of the project by Council, letters can be sent to the affected property owners, informing them of the special assessment project and allowing them appropriate time to install the sidewalks themselves. Engineering will place the attached sidewalks in the FY86 CIP for Council review. tp2/3 cc: Chuck Schmadeke 109 �i ERE �unun� J' ' PROCTER • .�.•l! ZOI(� 1io��YwvoDQr_vD. � <r. x i 3.•" � 720. = srrtu.. u•u I I Grant Wood school PM N I SMT. C• City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: August 23, 1984 To: City Council From: Karin Franklin, Senior Planner Re: Request for disposition of a portion of Beldon Avenue. The Council received in the August 14 agenda packet a memo from Daniel Nolan requesting the disposition of the west half of the vacated portion of Beldon Avenue (see map attached). The question arose of what impact this disposi- tion would have on property owners along the vacated right-of-way. There are three dwellings between Oakridge Avenue and Gould street on Beldon Avenue. The corner dwelling on Gould and Beldon has access off of Gould. The second dwelling to the north (Braley) has access off of Beldon and the third dwelling (Murray), which faces Oakridge Avenue, has access via a gravel drive which runs over most of the vacated portion of Beldon Avenue. The Murray residence could have access from Oakridge, however the grade of any driveway from the residence to Oakridge would be very steep. Disposition of the west half of the vacated right-of-way as requested would leave 30 feet of land in public ownership and an approximate 12-14 foot drive for the Murray residence, diminishing by half the use this residence has made of public property but permitting continued access from Beldon Avenue. /sp NOLAN REQUEST FOR DISt_.,ITION OF VACATED ROW OAKRIDGE AVENUE Si''waa 4 Srgap R •OLD RLLO• co" AND NN"= NNND AND PINE cerMs Rapid Melo 98-1321 rq FOR TYPEWRITER OR NAND USE RAPID MEMO To ROTA city council of Iowa City _ Daniel F. Nolan Civic Center 306 Wil fa nr yo Iowa City, Towa 52240 _ Tewa 4+4 TMWI 2240 .. to purchase Wig of vacated Beldon Avenue 1'^. July 28.1984 Gentlemen: I would like to purchase the west half of Beldon Avenue vacated from the North line of Willis Drive to the South line of Oakridge Avenue b Ordinance No. 2434 (copy enclosed) if an agreeable price can be reached This tract lies immediately east of my propertylot 1 Willis�addit{on,(plat encl ) iand would enhance its value Thank you ----Yours truly, �SIGNED � � i RL-PLY� 7 THIS COPY FOR PERSON ADDRESSED n i ORDINANCE NO. 2434 AN ORDINANCE VACATING Beldon Avenue from Willis Drive to Oakridge Avenue. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF IOWA CITY, IOWA: Section 1. That the s r in Iowa City, Iava hereinafter described be and the sane is hereby vacated: Beldon Avenue, from the North line of Willis Drive to the south line of Oakridge Avenue. Section 2. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect when published by lay. Passed and approved this 25th day of My__, 196y. 7 • /C4 G.. / /L.1 Mayor ATTEST: Q&, Q( City. Clerk ' It vas moved by per er and seconded by Nicker onL. that the ordinance be adopted, and upon roll call there were: AYES: NAYS: ABSENT: Burger x Nickerson x Hubbard X Lind X Nesmith x First Reading iZ.? Second Reading r//t•!c•7 Third Reading = �_ 1690 i City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: August 24, 1984 To: City Council From: Marianne Milkman, Associate Planner tFl Re: Rental Housing Survey Attached for your information is the 1984 Rental Housing Vacancy and Rent Survey. This report provides a detailed analysis of vacancy rates and rents in the Iowa City urbanized area according to the location of units, the size of units, the age of the structures and the size of the apartment complexes. Also included with the report is a memo responding to the rental housing survey carried out by Mr. Jeffrey Denburg and presented to the Council on June 19, 1984. bc5 1631 IOWA C1 FY RENTAL HOUSING SURVEY ,�)rKIivv 1964•wept. of Planning & Program Development /6gi RENTAL HOUSING VACANCY AND RENT SURVEY (March -April 1984) Prepared by the Department of Planning and Program Development City of Iowa City, Iowa Marianne Milkman, Associate Planner The data for this survey were collected by graduate student interns from the University of Iowa's Urban and Regional Planning Program and the School bf Social Work. Survey staff: Larry Allen Kim Dittmer Linda Hackett Terri Johnson Lincoln Pitts Stephanie Suttles Jean Swift 1984 RENTAL HOUSING VACANCY ANO RENT SURVEY INTRODUCTION A survey of vacancy rates and rents for multi -family rental housing in the Iowa City urbanized area (Iowa City; Coralville and University Heights) was carried out in March and April 1984. The purpose of this survey was to determine the effect of the recent 'building boom" in the area on vacancy rates and rents, by comparing current figures with vacancy rates obtained in a 1982 survey and average rents obtained in a 1983 survey. Information was obtained for 5,660 rental units (approximately 60% of the area's rental units in complexes with three or more units) The vacancy rate and rent data obtained were analyzed for a number of variables including size of units (number of bedrooms), location of units, age of structure and size of complex (number of units in a complex). Information on utilities included in the rents permitted an accurate calculation of the average rents. CONCLUSIONS AND SUPAIARY CONCLUSIONS The building boom in the Iowa City urbanized area during the past two years has had a considerable effect on the vacancy rate for multi -family rental units. The overall vacancy rate for the area is now approaching the 5% level which is generally considered desirable for a healthy rental market. August and September are the months when the rental housing market is tightest in the Iowa City area as students return to the University for the academic year. The level of enrollment at the University for the 7984-85 year will largely determine the availability of rental housing. Even if enrollment increases, as is predicted by University officials, the annual scramble for apartments should be reduced this year although demand for housing closest to the Pentacrest is likely to continue to exceed supply. As the supply of rental units has increased, rents have stabilized. There is indication from some landlords that rents will remain at the current levels for the 1984-85 academic year, while others are including additional utili- ties or amenities (such as microwave ovens) in the rent. Further study is needed to determine the "affordability" of rental units in Iowa City and the extent of the need for additional lower cost rental units. SUMMARY: VACANCY RATES - Information on vacancies was obtained for 5,312 units - The vacancy rate for multi -family rental units in the Iowa City urbanized area has almost tripled since 1982 despite the continued increase in enrollment at the University of Iowa. Presumably, the approximately 1500 multi -family rental units constructed in the area during the past two years have somewhat alleviated the pressures on the rental housing market. The overall vacancy rate is now close to the 5% level desirable in a healthy housing market. - Vacancy rates increase as the distance from Iowa City's central business district and the University of Iowa Pentacrest increases. Within one mile of the Pentacrest the vacancy rate is 2.4%. Apartments located within Iowa City, but more than one mile from the• Pentacrest had a vacancy rate of 4.7%, while in Coralville there was a 6.6% vacancy rate. - Vacancy rates increase as the size of the unit increases. However, three bedroom units have a lower vacancy rate (3%) than two bedroom (5%) and one bedroom (4%) units. This is probably due to the fact that 66% of all three bedroom units surveyed are located within one mile of the Penta - crest and many are new units. - The newest rental housing units have the lowest vacancy rate (2.7%) followed by the oldest units with a 3.0% vacancy rate. Structures built between 1941 and 1970 have a vacancy rate of 5.4%. Presumably renters prefer newer units but also like the location and lower rents of the oldest units closer to the University. 10 3 - The vacancy rate in large complexes (33+ units) is almost double that of medium-sized complexes (11-32 units), probably because most large complexes are located more than one mile from the Pentacrest. SUMMARY: RENTS - Information on rents was obtained for 5,342 units. - Mean customary rents are $214 for efficiencies, $282 for one bedroom units, $399 for two bedroom units, $531 for three bedroom units, and $577 for four bedroom units. For all size units there is a two -to three -fold range between the minimum and maximum rents charged. - Although rents for most size units are lower in Coralville, there is no clear correlation between location of units and the mean customary rent. - Rents in older units (pre -1940) are considerably lower than those for units in structures built between 1941 and 1970. The most expensive units are those in the newer structures. - In general rents are higher in larger complexes, probably because these complexes have more amenities and are relatively new and more attrac- tive. - There is no clear correlation between vacancies and the mean customary rent. The majority of vacant units (57%) have a mean customary rent which is 4% lower than the overall mean customary rent. The remainder of the vacant units have rents 5-10% higher than the overall mean customary rent for units of that size. - A comparison of rents in April 1983 and April 1984 shows virtually no change in the mean customary rent, whereas the U.S. Consumer Price Index for rental housing costs increased by 5.1% during that period. 1681 METHODOLOGY A master list of apartment units was compiled for the Iowa City urbanized area using the records and information provided by the Iowa City Department of Housing and Inspection Services, the City of Coralville Water Department, the R.L. Polk b Co. Iowa City Directory, the University of Iowa Housing Clearinghouse, and previous surveys. The list included apartment addresses and owners' and managers' names and telephone numbers for the Iowa City, University Heights and Coralville areas. The list was prepared by the Department of Planning and Program Development for complexes with three or more rental units only. Information on rental single family houses, duplexes, condominiums, mobile homes and rooming houses was not included in the survey. Dormitories, sororities, fraternities and University of Iowa family housing were also excluded from the survey. DATA GATHERING During the period March 26 through April 14, 1984, a group of seven Univer- sity of Iowa graduate student interns in the Department of Planning and Program Development conducted a telephone survey of rental units in the area. At least three attempts were made to contact each owner or manager of complexes with three or more rental units, who had a local telephone number. Calls were made at various times of the day. Data was ultimately obtained for approximately 60% of the listed units. Prior to contacting the respondents, the Department of Planning and Program Development provided a press release to the local newspaper, radio and television stations to inform the public of the upcoming survey. The Iowa City Apartment Owners Association and the Home Builders Association also assisted by notifying their members of the survey. Each owner or manager, when contacted, was asked for specific information on the total number of rental units and their size (number of bedrooms), the number of vacant units in the complex on the day of the survey, the monthly rent (unfurnished) and what utilities were included in the rent. In addi- tion, information was gathered on the approximate age of the structure and the date the current rent was established. The owners or managers were also asked whether they owned rental units elsewhere in the area. This last question resulted in the addition of a number of complexes to the original list. Information for each apartment complex was recorded an a survey form (see Appendix). For purposes of this study a complex was defined as a structure or adjacent structures containing three or more rental units, which were under the same management or had a collective name. DATA ANALYSIS After completion of the telephone survey, the survey sheets were checked and the data were computer -analyzed. The results included overall vacancy rates and rents as well as an analysis of the vacancy rates and rents according to the size of the units, location of units, size of complex and age of struc- ture. 1691 1. 5 Rent Analysis The rents were further analyzed according to base rent, customary rent and gross rent which were defined as follows: Base rent: Shelter rent including water and sewer. Cus�tnry rent: Rent charged by the landlord including the base rent (she tl er, Water and sewer) and the cost of heat and hot water. Gross rent: Customary rent plus any utilities paid by the tenant (in general, gas and/or electricity for cooking, lighting and appliances). The utility rate schedule (see Appendix) for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Section 8 Assisted Housing Allowances for Tenant - furnished Utilities (October 1983) was used to adjust reported rents to base, customary and gross rent levels. Because of increased utility rates during the 1983-84 winter, the higher electric heating, rather than gas heating, rates were used in adjusting reported rents. This ensured uniform rental figures for analysis and averaging. (An informal check of utility costs for various size units indicated that these utility rates were valid for newer, well -insulated units, but that utility costs were generally higher in older units.) The adjusted rents were computed by adding or subtracting utility allowances from the reported rent depending on whether the landlord supplied the utilities or the utilities were paid by the tenant. As an example, the following computation illustrates how the base, customary and gross rents for a one bedroom unit renting for ;290 including all utilities were calculated. Reported rent: Electric heat: Electric cooking: Electricity for lighting 8 other appliances: Hot water: Nater and sewer: Base rent: Electric heat: Hot water: Customary rent: Electric cooking: Electricity: Gross rent: Analysis of Results ;290 (including all utilities) -;3 -511 -;1 NTM/A (see definition) +$I1 +;1 $216 +;3 +$11 $290 Both vacancy rates and rents were analyzed according to the number of bedrooms per unit, the location of the units, the age of the structure, and the size (i.e. number of dwelling units) in the apartment complex. Three location categories were used: 1) units within a radius of one mile of the University of Iowa Pentacrest; 2) units more than one mile from the Penta - crest but within the Iowa City city limits; 3) units located in Coralville. NO The age of the. structure was categorized as I) pre -1940; 2) 1941-1970; 3) 1971 to present. The complex sizes were designated as small (3-10 units), medium (11-32 units), and large (over 32 units). The data for all rental units in complexes with three or more units were analyzed and cross -tabulated with the assistance of James Grifhorst of the University of Iowa Laboratory for Political Research. In tabulating the data it was decided to exclude the Lakeside apartment complex from the vacancy rate survey, and to exclude all subsidized elderly rental housing units from the rent survey. Approximately 65% of the units in the Lakeside complex were vacant at the time of the survey. Although the complex is now undergoing considerable renovation the inclusion of these units would result in an 8.1% overall vacancy rate for the area as compared to a 4.3% vacancy rate if the Lakeside units are excluded. Similarly, it was not possible to obtain accurate rents for the subsidized elderly housing units constructed under the Department of Housing and Urban Development Section 202 and Section 8 Programs. For other units participating in the HUD Section 8 Assisted Housing Program, the Fair Market Rents set by HUD were used since this is the total rent the landlord is receiving for these units. 1691 7 RESULTS OF RENTAL HOUSING VACANCY AND RENT SURVEY As indicated in the methodology section of this report, the 1984 Rental Housing Survey attempted to survey approximately 9,500 multi -family rental units in complexes with three or more units in the Iowa City urbanized area. Data were gathered for 5,660 units (60%) which were distributed according to location and size as indicated in Table IA. Comparison of the number of units of each bedroom class in the 1982 and 1984 Rental Housing Surveys shows a change in distribution of different size units. Whereas the relative proportions of efficiencies (5%) and two bedroom units (45%) have remained approximately the same in both surveys, the proportion of one bedroom units has decreased from 45% in 1982 to 35% in 1984. In contrast, the proportion of three bedroom units has more than doubled since 1982, rising from 5% to 12%. (It is assumed that the distribu- tion of these very large samples is representative of the distribution of all multi -family units in the Iowa City urbanized area.) TABLE TA NUMBER OF RENTAL HOUSING UNITS SURVEYED RY SIZE AND LOCATION Location Effic. 1BR 2BR 3BR aBR Total Within I mile of Pentacrest 207 859 842 405 17 2330 More than 1 mile from Pentacrest 146 629 951 131 9 1866 (38) (711) ,(1518) Coralville 28 377 985 74 0 1464 Total 381 1865 2778 610 26 5660 (273) (2538) (5312) (Figures in parentheses exclude units in Lakeside complex) Table IA shows that 41% of all units for which data was gathered are located within a radius of one mile of the University of Iowa Pentacrest, while 33% are located more than one mile from the Pentacrest, and 26% are in Coral- ville. Locational analysis of all listed rental units showed that this distribution is virtually identical with the distribution of all multi -family units in the area as listed by the Iowa City Department CIT Housing and Inspection Services and the City of Coralville Water Department. The majority of the units surveyed (82:) are one or two bedroom units. 1691 Table IB shows the distribution of the rental housing units surveyed accord- ing to size of complex and age of structure. The smallest complexes (3-10 units), making up 64% of all complexes, contained 20% of all units surveyed. Not surprisingly, the largest complexes (with 33+ units and making up 11% of all complexes) contain 54% of all units surveyed. Similarly, whereas 31% of all complexes were built before 1940, these complexes contain only 9% of all units. Judging by their addresses, these older complexes appear to be mainly large, formerly single-family homes which have been subdivided into three or more apartment units. TABLE IB NUMBER OF RENTAL HOUSING UNITS BY SIZE OF COMPLEX AND AGE OF STRUCTURE " Comolex Size Total Units 0 Cpmplexes Age of Structure Total Units Complexes 3-10 units 1117 195 Pre -1940 505 91 11-32 units 1320 75 1941-1970 2738 BI Over 32 units 3223 35 1971 + 2359 126 Total 5660 305 5602 • 298• *Totals vary because data was not available for some complexes and units. As indicated in the methodology, the 348 available units in the Lakeside complex were excluded from the vacancy rate data, and 226 units of Section 202 and Section 8 Elderly Housing units were excluded from the rent data. Because of the small sample (26) of four bedroom units, these units were excluded from further analysis. VACANCY RATES Overall Vacancy Rate A total of 459 units were vacant at the time of the survey. Of these, 233 were in the Lakeside complex; all calculations on vacancy rates were there- fore made based on a total of 226 vacant units. The overall vacancy rate (excluding Lakeside) was 4.3% for the Iowa City urbanized area as compared with 1.6% in 1982, an almost three -fold increase. It appears that the building boom of the past two years, when approximately 1500 new multi -family units were constructed, has indeed alleviated some of the pressure on the rental housing market. Vacancy Rate by Location The vacancy rate by location of units is shown in Table IIA, which compares these vacancy rates with the rates from the 1982 Rental Housing Survey; The greatest vacancy rate increase is shown in the area closest to the Penta - crest, where there is now a 2.4% vacancy rate compared to an almost negli- gible 0.3% rate in 1982. Although this an eight -fold increase, it is still the lowest vacancy rate for the area and well below the 5% rate which is con- sidered desirable to provide adequate housing opportunities and contain housing prices. The greatest actual increase in percentage was in Coral - Ville, where vacancy rates increased from 3.2% in 1982 to 6.6% in 1984. l6gl 0 TABLE IIA VACANCY RATE BY LOCATION - 1984 AND 1982 1984 1982 Size of Unit Total Units Vacant Units 1984 1982 Location Total Units Vacant Units % Vacant % Vacant Iowa City total 3848 129 3.4% - Iowa City within I 2538 128 5.0% 1.9% mile of Pentacrest 2330 57 2.4% 0.3% Iowa City over 1 mile from Pentacrest 1518 72 4.7% 2.2% Coralville 1464 97 6.6% 3.21 As in the 1982 survey, vacancy rates increase with distance from the center of Iowa City, and have doubled both in the outlying areas of Iowa City and in Coralville. For those persons willing to live a little farther from the center of Iowa City, housing choices have definitely increased since 1982. Vacancy Rate by Number of Bedrooms As might be expected, the overall increase in vacancy rate is also seen for various size units (see Table IIB). For efficiencies, one bedroom and two bedroom units the vacancy rate has almost tripled, and increases with the increase in size of unit (up to two bedroom units). TABLE II_B VACANCY RATE BY NUMBER OF BEDROOMS - 1964 AND 1982 In contrast, the vacancy rate for three bedroom units has only increased from 2.1% to 3%. This small increase is interesting since in 1982 the three bedroom units had the highest vacancy rate. However, the number of three bedroom units surveyed has more than doubled in 1984, because, as indicated previously, there has been a proportionately greater increase in the number of three bedroom units constructed during the' past two years. Furthermore, as Table IA shows, 661. of all three bedroom units surveyed are located within one mile of the Pentacrest. It seems likely that the newness and proximity of many three bedroom units to the downtown have resulted in the compara- tively small increase in their vacancy rate. i Vacancy Rate by Aae of Structure i The newest rental housing units show the lowest vacancy rate (see Table IIC) as might be expected. The next lowest rate is shown by the oldest units (pre -1940), with the structures built between 1941 and 1970 having by far the highest vacancy rate. It seems likely that the advantages of location and lower rents of the older units close to the central business district and the University of Iowa, offset the possible disadvantages of older structures, such as poor insulation, high utility bills, and less favorable conditions of the facility. 1681 1984 1982 Size of Unit Total Units Vacant Units % Vacant % Vacant Efficiency 273 6 2.2% 0.7% 1 Bedroom 1865 74 4.0% 1.3% 2 Bedroom 2538 128 5.0% 1.9% 3 Bedroom 610 18 3.0% 2.1% In contrast, the vacancy rate for three bedroom units has only increased from 2.1% to 3%. This small increase is interesting since in 1982 the three bedroom units had the highest vacancy rate. However, the number of three bedroom units surveyed has more than doubled in 1984, because, as indicated previously, there has been a proportionately greater increase in the number of three bedroom units constructed during the' past two years. Furthermore, as Table IA shows, 661. of all three bedroom units surveyed are located within one mile of the Pentacrest. It seems likely that the newness and proximity of many three bedroom units to the downtown have resulted in the compara- tively small increase in their vacancy rate. i Vacancy Rate by Aae of Structure i The newest rental housing units show the lowest vacancy rate (see Table IIC) as might be expected. The next lowest rate is shown by the oldest units (pre -1940), with the structures built between 1941 and 1970 having by far the highest vacancy rate. It seems likely that the advantages of location and lower rents of the older units close to the central business district and the University of Iowa, offset the possible disadvantages of older structures, such as poor insulation, high utility bills, and less favorable conditions of the facility. 1681 10 ^ TABLE IIC VACANCY RATE BY AGE OF STRUCTURE Ace of Structure Total Units Vacant Units Vacant Pre -1940 505 15 3.0: 1941 - 1970 2738 147 5.4: 1971 + 2359 64 2.7: Vacancv Rate by Complex Size The 4.9% vacancy rate for apartment complexes with 33 or more units (see Table IID) was almost double that of complexes with 11-32 units and con- siderably greater than the 3.1: vacancy rate for complexes with 3-10 units. once more it appears that distance rather than complex size is the con- trolling factor here, since most of the large apartment complexes are located more than one mile from the Pentacrest. TABLE 110 VACANCY RATE BY SIZE OF COMPLEX Comdex Size Total Units vacant Units : Vacant 3 - 10 Units 1117 35 3.1: 11 - 32 Units 1320 34 2.6. Over 32 Units 3223 157 4.9: RENTS In order to obtain comparable figures for monthly rents, surveyors were careful to note on the survey form what utilities were included in the rent paid by the tenant. As explained in the methodology, each rent figure was then classified as base, customary or gross rent. In some cases the rent paid by the tenant did not exactly fit into one of these categories, e.g. the landlord paid no utilities at all, not even water and sewer. In those cases the utility allowance for water and sewer listed in the HUD Section 8 Existing Housing Allowances for Tenant -furnished Utilities was added to the rent•paid by the tenant, and this adjusted rent figure was used as the base rent. Mean Base, Customary and Gross Rents Using the Section 8 Existing Housing Allowances for Tenant -furnished Utili- ties (see Appendix), mean base, customary and gross rents were calculated for different size units (see Table IIIA). In this table the considerable range of customary rents for each size unit is also shown. For the analysis of mean rents and a comparison with the 1983 rent survey, only the mean cus- tomary rents are used. As the term implies, this is the type of rent charged for the majority of units in the area. As a result, no utility adjustments have to be made to these rent figures. TABLE IIIA MEAN RENTS' Rent Tyne Efficiency IBR 2BR 3BR 4BR Base Rent $206 S270 5382 $510 $551 Customary Rent $214 $282 $399 $531 $577 S Range (125-300) (126-525) (225-665) (245-830) (400-826) Gross Rent $224 $296 $420 S555 $606 -Based on rents obtained for 5342 units, or 94: of all units surveyed. 1681 Utility costs vary considerably according to the number of appliances, the degree of insulation and the habits of the tenants, and it was also pointed out in the methodology that the HUB Section 8 Existing Housing Allowances for Tenant -furnished Utilities are low. Therefore, "actual" rents are best reflected by the customary rent figure to which few or no adjustments have been made. Mean Customary Rent by Location No clear pattern emerges from Table IIIB which compares mean customary rents at different locations in the area. Mean rents in Coralville are lower than the overall average, except in the case of one bedroom units. Three bedroom units in all of Iowa City are more expensive than the average for the area, probably because a majority are newer units. In general, it appears that within Iowa City, location alone cannot be correlated with differences in mean rents. i TABLE 1118 MEAN CUSTOMARY RENT BY LOCATION Mean Customary Rent Within 1 Mile More than 1 Mile Unit Size Overall of Pentacrest from Pen[acrest Coralville Efficiency $214 $215 1217 $203 1 Bedroom 282 274 312 296 i2 Bedroom 399 405 391 384 I 3 Bedroom 531 535 548 486 Mean Customary Rent by Age of Structure Table IIIC shows very clearly that apartment units of all sizes in structures built prior to 1940 are by far the least expensive units. Similarly, as might be expected, units in structures constructed since 1971 are the most expensive to rent. TABLE IIIC MEAN CUSTOMARY RENT BY AGE OF STRUCTURE Mean Customary Rent Unit Size Overall Pre -1940 1941 - 1970 1971 t Efficiency 1214 $203 1216 1276 M 1 Bedroom 282 261 294 316 ' 2 Bedroom 399 371 375 424 3 Bedroom 531 417 496 556 Mean Customary Rent by Complex Size The mean customary rent in the smallest complexes (3-10 units) is less than the overall mean, whereas complexes containing 11-32 units cost more than the overall mean, and the largest complexes (33+ units) are the most expensive of all. These results can be correlated with the age of the structure, since most small complexes are older buildings. Similarly, most of the large complexes are relatively new and frequently have on-site amenities such as swimming pools, laundry facilities and garages which increase the rental rate. /681 12 TABLE 11:0 MEA14 CUSTOMARY RELIT BY COMPLEX 512E Mean Customary Rent Unit Size Overall 3-10 units/cmolex 11-32 units/complex 33+ units/comalex Efficiency $214 $206 $243 $246 1 Bedroom 282 273 300 304 2 Bedroom 399 388 411 414 3 Bedroom 531 526 531 546 Mean Customary Rent for Vacant Units There is no clear correlation between vacancies and the mean customary rent as shown in Table III E. Whereas the mean customary rent for vacant units is higher than the overall mean customary rent for efficiencies, one bedroom and three bedroom units, the mean customary rent is lower for vacant two bedroom units which comprise 57% of all vacant units. Differences in rent range from a 10% increase for vacant efficiencies and three bedroom units to a 4% decrease in rent for vacant two bedroom units. TABLE IIIE MEAN CUSTOMARY RENT FOR ALL UNITS 8 VACANT UNITS (Renter, residential) Mean customary rent April 1983 234.4 S287 Efficiencv 1BR 2BR 38R All Units $214 $282 $399 $531 i Vacant Units 236 297 385 583 % difference in rent t10% F52 -4% ♦10% Changes in Mean Rents from 1983 to 1984 A comparison of the mean customary rents for 1983 and 1984 is shown in Table IVA. Because of the small sample Size (29 each) for efficiency and three bedroom units in the 1983 survey, direct comparison between 1983 and 1984 figures is only appropriate for the one and two bedrooms units: ,Mean rents for these size units are very similar when comparing 1983 and 1984 figures, and the difference falls within the percentage of sampling error at the 95% confidence level. It therefore appears that rents have remained stable in the area since April 1983. Table IVA also shows that the Consumer Price Index for rental housing costs in the U.S, rose 5.1% between April 1983 and April 1984. Rents in Iowa City have not followed this general, national price increase. TABLE IVA CHANGES IN MEAN RENTS COMPARED TO CONSUMER PRICE INDEX Mh Consumer Price Index Mean Customary Rents (Renter, residential) I Bedroom 2 Bedroom April 1983 234.4 S287 $393 April 1984 246.4 282 399 S change +5.1: -1.71 +1.51 Mh 13 (An attempt was also made to find out if landlords planned to increase, decrease or leave the rents at the current level for their new leases for the 1984-85 academic year. Insufficient data were obtained for analysis; however, many owners/managers indicated that they did not plan to increase rents for the fall of 1984, and a number stated that rents would be decreased for the the fall of 1984. A smaller number of owners/managers stated that there would, be a rent increase for the fall of 1984 and some stated that they had not yet decided on rent levels for the fall.) 1691 1984 IOWA CITY RENTAL HOUSING SURVEY DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT Date: Name of Complex: Address: Owner/Manager: Phone: Information Source: Owner Manager Size of Unit: Efficiency 1 BR 2 BR 3 OR 4 BR+ No. of Units: No. Vacant Units: Monthly Rent: (unfurnished) Date current rent established (approx.): Age of Structure(s): Before 1940 _ 1941-70 _ 1971 on It i d Tenant Total Circle One (1) (2) (3) Size of Complex C I ems nclu ed in rent Yes No Location: 1 = Within 1 m. of Pentacrest Heat Oil 2 = More than 1 m. from Pentacrest ( gas, electric, propane) 3 = Coralville Hot Water Size of Complex: 1 = 3-10 units 2 = 11-32 units Gas 3 = over 32 units Electricity Rent: 1 = Base rent (water/sewer) Water/Sewer 2 = Customary rent (base rent + heat and hot water) 3 = Gross rent (customary rent + all Surveyor: other utilities) 1 15 1 I ... ..�..� �� u, uf. A111111YII�H 111 VC1 ll11u c11} I Vw l! City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: August 22, 1984 To: City Council From: Marianne Milkman, Associate Planner r{{ Re: Rental Housing Vacancy Rate Survey by Jeffrey Denburg On June 19, 1984, Mr. Jeffrey Denburg presented to the Council a survey of vacant apartment units (copy attached) to apparently refute the vacancy rate survey by the Department of Planning and Program Development in March -April, 1984. Mr. Denburg apparently called all the units listed as available for rent in the Iowa City Press -Citizen of June 7, 1984. In his telephone calls he stated that he was looking for an apartment for himself and some friends, and was not sure what size apartment he would rent. He asked what units were available. As stated in his report, Mr. Denburg excluded all listings of sublets and apartments not immediately available for rent. He also excluded the Lakeside apartment complex. As a result of this survey, Mr. Denburg stated that the vacancy rate for rental units in Iowa City is less than 2%. Mr. Denburg's survey makes a number of assumptions: 1. The survey assumes that all available units were advertised in the Iowa City Press -Citizen on June 7, 1984. This assumption does not appear to be valid since: a) Some landlords use rental agencies to manage and rent their apart- ments, and some of these agencies do not advertise regularly in the newspaper. b) Some landlords have informed me that they rarely advertise at all but rely on word-of-mouth to rent their units. c) A number of large complexes (e.g. Carriage Hill, Old Gold Court, Colonial Terrace, Le Chateau) had no ads in the June 7 Iowa City Press -Citizen. These complexes •all had a number of vacancies in March -April and it seems unlikely that all of the vacancies were filled for the summer since there is generally an excess of rental housing during the summer months. 2. The survey assumes that landlords would tell Mr. Denburg the total number of units of different size which were available for rent in their complexes. 1691 There seems to be no reason why a manager/ landlord should provide this information or why Mr. Denburg would ask for it, if he was ostensibly apartment -hunting. The manager/ landlord would assume that all he would need to know was that there was at least one unit of a variety of bedroom sizes available. 3. Because Mr. Denburg assumed that his survey identified all vacant rental units in Iowa City (175) he used this figure to calcu a e e vacancy rate for all rental units (approximately 10,000) in Iowa City, University Heights and Coralville. Rebuttal By comparison, the rental housing survey carried out by the Department of Planning and Program Development during March -April 1984 was considerably more detailed and used a much larger sample of rental units. An attempt was made to contact owners/managers of approximately 9500 rental units (i.e. almost all listed rental units in the area), and data were gathered for 5660 (60%) of those units. Statistically the results were at or above the 95% confidence level. (Mr. Denburg's survey did not identify the total number of units in the complexes where there were vacancies, so a comparison is not possible.) The basic assumption made by the City's survey was that the proportion of vacant units in the complexes for which no data was available, was the same as in the complexes for which data were gathered. This assumption is validated by the fact that the geographical distribution of all rental units was the same as the geographical distribution of the surveyed units. This indicates that there was not a disproportionate number of surveyed units located in Coralville, for instance, where the vacancy rate is the highest in the area. Therefore, the assumption that the vacancy rate in the unsurveyed units is the same as the vacancy rate in the surveyed units seems reasonable. Overall I feel that the size of the sample, the sampling method used, and the assumptions made in the rental housing survey of the Department of Planning and Program Development resulted in a far more accurate survey than that carried out by Mr. Denburg. Please contact me if there are additional questions. /sp cc: Don Schmeiser, Director of Planning and Program Development adcre�.� Qs.e.w�-►�.5 i v. 5��2 7< <�3 `f �a �� C�� Press GGA-►�e�. .2 t4 vzQ i �v► GQ -i U V Q.�a-�.�" S �►�r,P.�cQ e..� � ZS' oU G� cre�.�'�e w.2 � 1, Z L cru-�r� 13r = S Z 2- S_ � ax e. vas 16ga City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: August 23, 1984 To: City Council and City Manager From: Frank Farmer, City Engineer Re: South Sycamore Street The grading and chipsealing of Sycamore Street from approximately 200 feet south of Burns Avenue to the city limits will be complete by August 24, 1984. bdw2/3 1613 City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: August 22, 1984 To: City Council From: Doug Boothroydrector of Housing & Inspection Services Re: 427 South Dodge Street The property located at 427 South Dodge Street is being converted from a single family dwelling to a duplex. The Zoning Ordinance requires striping of parking areas which by definition must consist of more than four parking spaces. The parking being provided at 427 South Dodge Street is not required to be striped. bj3/3 /w City of Iowa City (-- MEMORANDUM Date: August 22, 1984 To: City Council From: Doug Boothroy Director of Housing 5 Inspection Services Re: Sign in front of Cliffs Apartments Signs advertising the rental of apartments are defined as real estate signs which are permitted in all zones and do not require a sign permit. On-site inspection of the sign at the Cliffs Apartments revealed a violation of the minimum size requirements (a maximum of six square feet is permitted). The property owner has been informed of this violation and asked to remove the sign. bj3/5 X645 City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: August 22, 1984 To: City Council From: Doug Boothroys Director of Housing F, Inspection Services Re: Seventh Avenue and Muscatine/Antique Sales A question has been raised as to whether or not the holding of garage sales on a regular basis constitutes a violation of the Zoning Ordinance. This question was referred to the Zoning Code Interpretation Panel for an inter- pretation which is attached hereto. Based on this interpretation, the necessary steps are being taken to enforce the Zoning Ordinance. bj3/4 IgG City of Iowa City - MEMORANDUM = Date: August 22, 1984 I+o it To: File �i ." 2 i�i;4 ii 88 From: Zoning Code Interpretation Panel ?2 Re: Accessory Use - Garage Sale CITY 6'LERi( (3) The Zoning Code Interpretation Panel met on July 30, 1984, to review a request submitted by Mr. Doug Boothroy, Director of Housing S Inspection Services Department, as to whether a garage sale is a principal use or an accessory use and whether a garage sale, if it is an accessory use, is a home occupation (see attached memorandum). Finally, Mr.Boothroy has requested an opinion as to whether the Zoning Ordinance permits the holding of garage sales on a regular basis. According to Webster's New Collegiate Dictionar , a garage sale is "a sale of used household or persona artit esas urniture, tools, or clothing) held on the seller's own premises." Whether a garage sale is an accessory use depends upon whether it is by definition according to Section 36-4(a)(3), a use which "(a) is subordinate to and serves a principal use; (b) is subordi- nate in area, extent, or purpose to the principal building or use served; (t) contributes to the comfort, e convenience, or necessity of occupants of th principal building or use;..." Since the principal use of the premises is e residential use, the garage sale must be clearly subordinate to the residen- tial use. A garage sale is a very popular way of disposing of household and personal items and is commonly performed by many if not most households. The Panel agreed that while a garage sale is not recognized as a necessary or mandatory part of the residential use, a garage sale as it is commonly viewed, is clearly a use subordinate tothe principal use and would, therefore, be classified as an accessory use. Whether a as an whether a garage sale may be definedras,use is accordingoto Sectpion�36-4(h)(2),u"pon an* occupation or profession carried on by a person residing on the premises" The Panel agreed that an accessory use is a home occupation if it meets this definition of a home occupation and the use occurs frequently or with regularity. It is permitted if it meets the requirements of Section 36-56(b)(4) for a home occupation. Thus, if a garage sale were held fre- quently or with regularity, it would be construed as a home occupation; however, it would be difficult for such a use to comply with the requirements for a home occupation, e.g, that there is no "indication from the exterior that the dwelling unit or accessory building is being used in part for any use other than that of a dwelling or accessory building for purely residen- tial purposes." It would, therefore, be difficult to hold a garage sale on a regular basis." /64 Z In summation, it was the unanimous opinion of the Panel that a garage sale, as it is normally viewed, is an accessory use that is not a home occupation. However, if such sales are held on a frequent or regular basis, they become a home occupation and would have to comply with the provisions of the Zoning ordinance for a home occupation which would be difficult if not impossible to meet. The Panel noted that it is possible for an accessory use to take on such frequency or regularity as to be viewed as a principal use of the premises rather than as an accessory use. There are no clear cut guidelines as to when an accessory use becomes a principal use; however, garage sales which are held frequently or regularly, and are of such a nature as to be construed as a business, are illegal in a residential zone. /sp Dil r ('aa K. KAR tY CLERK (3) 168G i City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM DATE: July 30, 1984 TO: Zoning Code InterpFeTation Panel FROM: Douglas Boothroy RE: Definition of Garage Sales Would a garage sale be considered as part of the principal use or considered accessory to the principal use? If a garage sale is an accessory use, is it a home occupation? Does the Zoning Ordinance permit the holding of garage sales on a regular basis? oar '-.. �II 01983 MARIAN K. KARR CITY CLERK (3) �i :1 2 21984 CITY CLERK (3) 16% A E RECFIV�� nac 2 _� I� IC_ 1984 !11 I! I�>AI'� L. b�, bs.�ryM.l CpW,lbn t040 WILLIAM ST.. SUIT[ A.. IOWA CITY. IOWA 72240 August 17, 1984 John McDonald, Mayor \ Civic Center �\ City Of Iowa City 410 East Washington Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Dear Mayor McDonald: Enclosed is an invitation to our Open House for the two new children's homes. As you know these homes were made. possible with the Council's assistance. Please extend the invitation to the members of the Council. Sincerely, Benny E. Leonard Executive Director BEL;ks Enclosure You are invited to attend an open house of the new Systems Unlimited, Inc. childrens' group homes at 2004 Hollywood Blvd. 1918 Hollywood Blvd. Sunday, August 26, 1984 2-5 P. M. 103 CEDAR RAPIDS TELEVISION COMPANY KCRG *TV9 4 KCRG 6RAD10 .. 2nd Avenue at 5th Stmt SE Cadet Rapids, bra 52401 219-094.11122 RECEIVED JG 2 0 1984 We thought you might be interested in the following Editorial Comment by Edna Herbst, Vice President of the KCRG Stations and Member of the KCRG Stations Editorial Board. This Editorial will be scheduled on both KCRG-TV 6 KCRG RADIO on Tuesday, August 21, 1984. THE IOWA CITY COUN— CIL HAS A CHANCE TO BOOST THAT COMMUNITY INTO THE FOREFRONT OF HIGH TECH DEVELOPMENT, IT'S AN UNUSUAL PRO— POSAL THAT, AT FIRST, MIGHT SEEM UNREASONABLE, COUNCILMAN BILL AMBRISCO SAYS HE'S WILLING TO LOOK OBJECTIVELY AT THE PLAN, WE URGE THE EN— TIRE COUNCIL TO DO LIKEWISE, BASICALLY, A GROUP OF DEVELOPERS WANTS TO BUILD A 200—ACRE RESEARCH PARK ON THE WESTERN EDGE OF IOWA CITY, THEY WANT THE CITY TO ISSUE REVENUE BONDS FOR FINANC— ING ... GIVE A TAX DEFERRAL ON IMPROVEMENTS,,,PAY FOR WATER AND SEWER CONNECTIONS.,, AND HELP R7a has PAGE TWO PROMOTE THE PROJECT, (CHANGE CAMERA) IT'S A BIG REQUEST FOR THE DEVELOPMENT GROUP TO MAKE, IT WOULD BE A BIG PRO- JECT FOR THE CITY TO UNDERTAKE, THE RE- SULTING HIGH TECH AREA COULD PROVIDE JOBS FOR PEOPLE IN IOWA CITY AS WELL AS FROM ADJOIN- ING COUNTIES. THE UNIVERSITY'S NEW PRIVATE COMPUTER SOFT- WARE FIRM ALREADY IN THE AREA IS INTERESTED IN BECOMING THE CENTER- PIECE OF THE NEW PARK. •THE COUNCIL SHOULD SERIOUSLY CONSIDER ANY REASONABLE AID TO HELP GET THE PROJECT OFF THE GROUND, YET BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT ANY SPECIAL IN- CENTIVE THAT COULD SET A PRECEDENT DIFFICULT TO FOLLOW, THAT'S TV S'S VIEW, LET US KNOW YOURS BY WRITING TO THE KCRG-TV EDITORIAL BOARD, 69y Use Antitrust Law Against Local Government Offenders By Curet Bmac[ 1 In a disturbing blow to fee comped, tion, the House of Representatives passed a bill last week that could seriously Wit the ability of businesses to challenge mu• Nrhpally imposed Impediments to comped. tion under the antitrust laws. for The atio of this or lechery �at 'odds with Its commitment to an enterprise system free of excessive regulatory.h m dens. The House bill, which would prevent carts from awarding monetary damage In antitrust sults against municipalities, is but a first step In the effort to Insulate cil- los from the consequences of flagrantly abusive anti-competitive acts. It wasn't until 1978 that the Supreme Court fits) recognized that B the antitrust laws are to be effective In encouraging free competition, they must be applied to the very source of most competitive ob- struction: bstroction: government itself. In decisions Involving Lafayette, la.. and Boulder. Colo., the court unleashed antitrust laws against the titles, establishing its commit. ment under the Sherman Act to "a regime of competition as the fundamental princi- ple governing commerce In this coun- try... . These decisions were cause for reJole- ing among those who understand that truly harmful monopoles—those that the Pa. 'rural forces of the market cannot correct— are Nose for which government slims the paper work. Businesses frustrated by gar emmental actions In their efforts to com- pete in the marketplace suddenly had a powerful Dew weapon—ate federal anti- trust laws. ' ' But even without the new federal legls• Milan. this weapon B limited In Its scope. It 1s unavailable against state and federal In certain narrow clrcumstaacea. I At first blush, subjecting municipalities to antitrust liability might appearla pres- ent an Insoluble conflict between two pri- mary goals of the Reagan administration: free enterprise vs. local autonomy, But sin• cere advocates of the free market believe that there are some functions that should not be entrusted to government at any level. Free enterprise cannot long survive In a system of Inial fiefdoms possessed of unrestrained power to Impede or destroy business opportunities. Antitrust laws were designed precisely to prevent such abuses. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall has observed that "antitrust laws are the Magna Carta of free enterprise. They are as Important to the preservation of economic freedom and the free -enterprise system as the BW of Rights is to the protection of our fund&• menta personal freedanu." This exhorts. Ilan has meaning, however, only to the ex- tant that the Aln trwr laws are tamed against governmental offenders. Municipal antitrust lawsuits have arLsea In three principal contexts: where municl• pahtles fifer services or make consumer products and engage N predatory acts against competitors (as In Lafayette); where they license monopolies, In essence outlawing competition; or where they re- strain free trade through overzealous regu- latim (as with cable television In Boulder). TLe awesome power to determine the tale of lMlviduai companies breeds corruption, Inefficiency and enormous cats to con. sumers. Examples of circumstances begging an* titnmst remedies abound. Some of the more common Include: • Land -use regulations. Zoning laws, sewer hookups, growth controls and other 'regulations are frequently utilized to frus- trate entry Into the local marketplace. Of- ten Nese methods are used to "preserve" downtown commercial areas whose busi• nesses are departing largely because of al- ready burdensome regulations and taxes. • Rent control. More than 50 municipal rent -control ordinances are In operadon In California alone, artificially restricting re- turns on Investments and IMIbIWg the supply of rental housing. • Cable feleviston. Under the guise of "natural monopoly," local governments set up exclustde cable-televislon franchises and then extract huge franchise fees and "free" community services, despite abun. door economic evidence that cable compa- nies could be blghly competitive In the ab• sence of municipal regulatlan. • 71ransportallaa. In nearly every Inial market, municipal franchises and other regulations have displaced competition, preventing entrepreneurs from freely pro- viding efficient services tailored W con- sumer demand. shim, In each of'these cases, government Is engaged In anticompetitive activities to an extent rarely contemplated and never tot- 'emeA In -the private sector. Removal of . municipal antitrust liability once again would provide elites carte blanche author- ity to run roughshod over matters that should be entrusted to the market. Ever since the Boulder and Lafayette decisions, cities across the country have been In a frenzy to protect themselves from debilitating lawsuits. But the better solution for municipalities concerned about easily court Judgments Is simply this: Stay out of the marketplace. Although to date most municipal antitrust suis have largely provtd to be unsuccessful, the mere pror Peet of liability has caused heretofore com- placent titles to think twirl before snuffing out competition. Far from Malting the consequences for titles engaged in anti-competitive en. deavors, the administration should oppose thla bill In the Senate and take bold action .to remove existing exceptions to goverw - mental antitrust laws. The beneficiaries of such action will be entrepreneurs and con- sumers currently separated from one an- other by governmental barriers; the by- products will be efipanded opportunity, choice and competition. It Is Ironic that an administration pledged tok dynamic, unobstructed free - enterprise system Is providing fuel to those who have created the most systemic Im- pediments. In so doing, It Is bypassing a golden opportunity to strengthen the leg. acy of economic liberty In America. Mr. Bolick is an attorney with Moun. loin States Legal Foundation in Demser. HE