HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-05-03 Info PacketJ
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
DATE: April 29, 1983
TO: City Council
FROM: City Manager
RE: Informal Agendas and Meeting Schedule
May 2, 1983
4.30 - 6.30 P.M. Conference Room Monday
4:30 P.M. - Meeting of the City Conference Board
Separate Agenda posted
4:35 P.M. - Discuss Lower Ralston Creek Land Disposition
5:00 P.M. - Bidders' Presentations for City Pipeyard Redevelopment
5:45 P.M. - Discuss Asphalt Overlay Program
5:55 P.M. - Discuss Special Assessment Projects (Tanglewood/Ventura;
St. Anne's Drive, Kimball Road)
6:15 P.M. - Discuss Airport issues (part -of discussion may be in
Executive Session)
6:30 P.M. - Council time, Council committee reports
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May, 3, 1983 Tuesday
7.30 - 9:30 P.M. Conference Room
7:30 P.M. - Special City Council Meeting
7:35 P.M. - Special Informal Council Meeting to discuss planned
development housing overlay zone of the new Zoning
Ordinance.
PENDING LIST
Priority A: Iowa -Illinois Utilities Franchise
Melrose Court Improvements
Policy on Vehicles in Transit Interchange Area
Discuss Special Paving Projects
Priority B: Discuss City Council Majority Voting Requirements
Discuss Affirmative Action Task Force Report
City Council Salaries
Housing Inspection Funding Policy
Housing Market Analysis Recommendations
Transit Fare Subsidy Program
Community Energy Study Proposal
Shamrock/Arbor Drive Drainage Area
Funding Request from MECCA
Meet with Broadband Telecommunications Commission
Priority C: Meet with Design Review Committee regarding recommendations
Traffic Signals - Flashing Mode
Mandatory Parkland Dedication (Fall 1983)
Appointments to United Action for Youth Board and Board of
Adjustment - May 10, 1983
Appointments to Resources Conservation Conmission and
Housing Commission - May 24, 1983
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April 28, 1983
To When It May Concern:
The Iowa City Conference Board will meet at 4:30 P.M. on Monday,
May 2, 1983, at the Iowa City Civic Center.
AGENDA:
1. Call meeting to order by the chairperson.
2. Appoint Board of Review member.
3. Motion for chairperson to sign contract with Vanguard for
residential reappraisal.
4. Other business.
S. Adjourn.
Dan L. Hudson
Clerk, Conference Board
AGENDA
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
MAY 3, 1983 7:30 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Item No. 1 - MEETING TO ORDER.
ROLL CALL.
Item No. 2 - CONSIDER RESOLUTION SETTING PUBLIC HEARING ON MAY 10, 1983,
ON PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF CONTRACT AND ESTIMATE OF
COST FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE BENTON STREET BRIDGE REPAIR
PROJECT, DIRECTING CITY CLERK TO PUBLISH NOTICE OF SAID
HEARING AND DIRECTING CITY ENGINEER TO PLACE SAID PLANS
AND SPECIFICATIONS ON FILE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION.
Comment: This project involves the repair of both abutments on the
Benton Street bridge over the Iowa River along with the
raising to grade of the expansion joints at each end of
bridge, which will eliminate damaging impact loads. Con-
struction is estimated to cost approximately $30,000.
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Action:
RESOLUTION NO.
RESOLUTION SETTING PUBLIC HEARING ON PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF
CONTRACT, AND ESTIMATE OF COST FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF
The Benton Street Bridge Repair Project
DIRECTING CITY CLERK TO PUBLISH NOTICE OF SAID HEARING, AND DIRECTING
CITY ENGINEER TO PLACE SAID PLANS, ETC., ON FILE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF IOWA CITY, IOWA:
1. That a public hearing on the plans, specifications, form of contract,
and estimate of cost for the construction of the above-named project is to be
held on the 10th day of May , 1g 83 , at 7:30 p.m. in the Council
Chambers, Civic Center, Iowa City, Iowa.
2. That the City Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to publish notice
of the public hearing for the construction of the above-named project in a
newspaper published at least once weekly and having a general circulation in the
city, not less than four (4) nor more than twenty (20) days before said hearing.
3. That the plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimate of cost
for the construction of the above named project are hereby ordered placed on
file by the City Engineer in the office of the City Clerk for public inspection.
It was moved by and seconded by that the
resolution as read be a opte an upon roll call there were:
AYES: NAYS: ABSENT:
_ Balmer
Dickson
Erdahl
_ Lynch
McDonald
Neuhauser
Perret
Passed and approved this day of 19_
ATTEST:
CITY CL RK
MAYOR
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City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
DATE: April 29, 1983
TO: City Council
FROM: City Manager x- /
RE: Wellness Program
Enclosed is a memorandum which I sent to the Police and Fire Departments
relating to concerns which they have about the employment agreement. We
will continue to work on the other aspects of the wellness program. As
you previously have received information concerning the program, the
issue has not been scheduled for informal discussion on Monday.
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City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
DATE: April 29, 1983
TO: Mike Goldberg, Nate Hopkins, Bill Cook, Wellness Task Force
FROM: Neal G. Berlin����,f
RE: Employment Agreement
In recent days you and others have raised concerns about the employment
agreement. Until these issues are resolved, the use of the agreement
will be held in abeyance. I have asked Anne Carroll to contact you to
schedule a meeting so that we might discuss and attempt to satisfactorily
resolve your concerns. In the interim, if you have any questions, please
contact me or Anne Carroll.
cc: Chief Miller
Chief Keating
City Council
City of Iowa Cit,
MEMORANDUM
Date: April 29, 1983
To: Mayor and Council, City Manager
From:
Robert W.
Jansen,
City Attorney
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Re:
Hometown
Dairies
Building Permit
Mr. William Meardon, attorney for Hometown Dairies, called me on the evening of
April 27 and stated that he had advised his client that the stop work order
issued by Building Official Glenn Siders was invalid and that the City lacked
legal authority to issue such an order. Accordingly, I was informed that his
client was going to proceed with its construction plans and the City would have
to take whatever action it thought necessary.
The background of this situation is that Hometown was granted a variance by the
Board of Adjustment to permit certain construction activities to bring the plant
operation into compliance with County health board requirements. The variance
was first granted in December, 1981, however, the six month period following the
granting of the variance expired before Hometown applied for its building
permit. Hometown was then required to reapply for the variance since the City
Code requires that the building permit must be applied for within six months
following the grant of variance. The variance was again granted in November,
1982, and the permit was issued by Mr. Siders on March 22, 1982.
The issuance of the March 22nd permit was appealed to the Board of Adjustment by
Mr. Andrew Isserman and Mr. Anthony Frey by filing an appeal on April 21st but
not perfected until April 26th when the filing fee was finally paid.
When an appeal is taken from an action by the Building Official, the Iowa Code
(Ch. 414) and the City Code (Sec. 8.10.28D) state that "an appeal stays all
proceedings in furtherance of the action appealed from." Pursuant to this, the
Building Official issued a stop -work order to Hometown Dairies on April 27th.
We have consistently interpreted this language to mean that construction work is
included in the terms "all proceedings."
Hometown's position is apparently based on New York court decisions interpreting
a New York statute, which is identical in language to ours, that construction
activities are not stayed by an appeal or are not construed to be "proceedings."
The Iowa Supreme Court has not ruled on this issue nor does it appear that many
other states have dealt with this issue.
I recommend that I first send a letter to Mr. Meardon informing him of the'City's
position and advise Mr. Meardon and his client that if Hometown does go ahead in
defiance of the stop -work order that appropriate court action will then be
instituted.
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City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
DATE: April 25, 1983
TO: City Manager
FROM: City Attorney lb
RE: Government Management Corporation -Possible Acquisition
of City Sewer System
This is a report on my meeting in Kansas City on April 20th with
the representatives and attorneys for the parties seeking to ad-
vance this project. The meeting was held in the offices of the
J. C. Nichols Company.
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The Iowa City project is one of 3 pilot projects designed to ac-
quire or lease and operate municipally -owned sewer or water systems
under the name of Government Management Corporation. As you know
the objective is to provide delivery by the private sector of those
services now exclusively furnished by municipalities thereby relieving
cities of the operational burdens and costs of expansion of those
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services.
Government Management Corporation was created to carry out these
projects as a joint venture for Utility Trust of America, Armco
Steel Corporation and Burns E McDonald Engineering Company, a wholly
owned subsidiary of Armco.
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J. C. Nichols Company is a large and very successful development
company in Kansas City (commercial, shopping centers, residential
and hotels) and wholly owns a company called U.S. Utilities. U. S.
Utilities is the general partner of the limited partnership known as
Utility Trust of America.
Burns B McDonald is a nationwide engineering firm and has developed
a sewage treatment process which will significantly reduce the costs
of a new treatment plant. Armco will manufacture or fabricate the
systems and equipment. Presumably the J. C. Nichols Company and Armco
are providing the preliminary development and start-up capital for
the joint 'venture.
The key concept is that Government Management Corporation will warrant
that it will reduce existing sewer service charges to consumers by at
least 10%. The company will also warrant that sewer service charges
for any new construction will be at least 10% less than the cost would
be using current City financing methods.
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MICROFILMED BY
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City Manager
April 25, 1983
Page 2
A feasibility study showing comparative costs between municipal and
privately owned and managed facilities is underway for Iowa City.
As you know, the group wants a committment from the City that the
City will go ahead'with the project before the study is finalized.
According to the proposal, Government Management Corporation will
purchase the entire sanitary sewer system and treatment plan, land,
easements, sewers, etc. A contractual agreement will provide the City
with a significant amount of control including City approval of rates
and consent to increases.
There are obviously a number of legal questions that need to be ex-
amined at the outset since there is no precedent for this in Iowa law.
Examination of the legal issues will involve a substantial expenditure
of my time and legal staff time. We should discuss this.
I am attaching a letter from Mr. Frank Hawkings outlining the steps
ahead if the City is interested. I
Attachment
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UTILITIES
WATER • SEWER • POWER • COMMUNICATIONS • SINCE 1905
April 20, 1983
Mr. Robert ,Jansen
Trott & Jansen
#9 South Linn Street
Iowa City, Iowa 53240
Re: Government Management Corporation
Accluisition of the fowa City, Iowa
Sewer System
Dear %Jr. Jansen:
This letter outlines our meeting of today.
We met with Messrs. Shaffer, Schleicher, Ilrimer, and foil in the
Kansas City office of the J.C. Nichols Company. You were also
introduced to Mr. Lynn McCarthy, the president of the ,J. L'. Nichols
Company.
We left with you drafts or a resolution and contract for your studv.
We outlined to you the relationship of each representative at the
meeting as follows:
I. Government Management Corporation is organized as a Allot
project joint venture vehicle rot' Itilit,v 'frust of America,
Armco Steel Corporation and their wholly owned subsidiary,
Burns I,, McDonnell 8nginccrillg Company.
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2. Utility 'frust of America is the J/h/u ul' ll(it itr ,\s sur is toy,
Ltd., a NJissouri limited partnership.
3. U.S. Utilities is the general partnerof Utility 'frust of
America and is wholly owned by the J.C.Nichols Company.
4. Mr. Shaffer is general counsol for Government Management
Corporation.
5. Messrs. Schleicher and Brimer are tax counsel to the J.C.
Nichols Company and to Utility 'frust of America.
6. Mr. Foil represented the Burns $ McDonnell Engineering Company
and Armco Steel Corporation.
We agreed that the next step is for you to determine for the city
that we can legally accomplish our program in Iowa.
NICHOLS BUILDING • 4200 SOMERSET • PRAIRIE VILLAGE, KANSAS 66208 • (913) 648.0052 7 %
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Mr. Robert ,Jarnsen
April 20, 1983
Page Two
After ,you have gained your comfort level, we will meet with the
City Manager and his staff to explain further our program and
answer their questions.
Following the City Manager and his staff gaining their comfort,
we understand we will then meet with the original ,roup we met
with in our recent visit to Iowa City, to secure this "coup's
recommendation to the City Council.
We anticipate preparing for the members of the council a memorandum
outlining our program, incorporating into the program the input
from the legal and administrative representative of the city.
Following a review and discussion period by the council members,
we anticipate a formal presentation to the council of our proposal.
Assuming positive action by the council, Government Management
Corporation would then prepare the Icasibility study under the
conditions of the contract, using input from each 0'1* the companies'
staff. Following a Positive determination of the utinnnum 10,
savings, a Public hearing to Present the program to the citi-ens
of Iowa City would be scheduled.
We await your response.
Respectfullyi '
Frank Hawkins
Consultant
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parks & recreation
department MEMO
o: Mayor and City Council f r om. Fred Riddle and Dennis
Showalter
re. Parks and Recreation date: April 28, 1983
Commission Parks Tour
You are invited to join the Parks and Recreation Commission
and the Parks and Recreation staff on a tour of city parks
on Saturday, May 7. We will leave at 8:30 a.m. from the
Recreation Center parking lot and visit 35 parks and park -
related areas with a stop for lunch at approximately noon.
The May Parks and Recreation Commission meeting will be at
the conclusion of the tour at approximately 3:00 p.m, at
the Recreation Center.
Please call Dennis at 356-5111 if you want to go,
city of Iowa city
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City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
Date: April 29, 1983
To: city coupgil'\1
From: Don Schmm
Re: Building Moratoriums and Nonconformities
One of the least understood aspects of the new zoning ordinance is the
establishment of a building moratorium commencing on the date that the City
Council sets the public hearing on consideration of the new ordinance. The
moratorium is actually brought about by provisions of the existing ordinance.
Section 8.10.32D states "No building permit for the erection of any building or
structure or license or permit for the conduct of any use shall be issued for a
period of sixty (60) days after the City Council of Iowa City has set a public
hearing on the question of amending the zoning ordinance and map so as to rezone
an area which rezoning would permit the building or use contemplated by the
requested permit in the area concerned..." Simply stated, the City could not
issue a building permit for a building or use unless the proposed building or
use met the provisions of the proposed zoning ordinance
buil din at the
ortime
ime thewouCity
Council set the ordinance for public hearing. 9
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course have to comply with the present requirements of the Zoning Ordinance, as
the present requirements are applicable until the new ordinance is adopted.
This form of moratorium should not be confused with an outright prohibition to
the issuance of any building permits anywhere within the City. To the contrary,
building permits may be issued for any lot in Iowa City again provided that the
building permit is for a building or use which would meet the requirements of
both the proposed ordinance and the present ordinance.
Since there are few provisions of the proposed ordinance that are exactly like
the provisions of the present ordinance, many properties will be affected either
positively or negatively by the moratorium. Assume, for example, that a person,
owning a single family home 30 feet from the front property line in an RIA zone,
wishes to construct an addition onto the front of the house. Under existing
regulations the front yard requirement is 30 feet; however, in the new zoning
ordinance the requirement is 20 feet. Although the property owner could meet
the requirements of the proposed ordinance, he/she could not met the
requirements of the present ordinance and could not obtain a building pe
to
build in the front yard.
Contrarywise, suppose that a property owner owns an apartment building located
in an R3A zone, which is proposed to be zoned RM -44, and wants to expand to
within five feet of the side lot line. If the addition were to be only one or
two stories high, there would be no hesitation in issuing a building premit for
the addition. However, if the addition were to be three stories high, then the
third story would have to be built not closer than seven feet to the side lot
line, because the new ordinance requires that an additional two feet of side
yard setback be provided for each story above two stories. As you can see,
whether the moratorium will affect property or not depends upon how a person
wishes to use his/her property.
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A question which has been raised is whether the new ordinance would actually
constitute adoption of a new ordinance rather than amendment of the existing
ordinance. Since the moratorium only applies to amendments, a moratorium
presumably would not be required upon the Council setting a public hearing on a
11newilzoning ordinance. The Legal Department will be researching this question
in the near future.
A second issue which has been raised is the impact the ordinance will have on
existing development particularly in terms of the establishment of nonconfor-
mities. Zoning laws cannot be retroactively applied to existing development,
i.e., the City cannot enforce upon existing property owners the requirements of
the new zoning ordinance. New ordinance provisions, however, can render
properties in noncompliance with the provisions of the new ordinance thereby
making them nonconforming.
Even though a building or use may be nonconforming and in noncompliance with the
Provisions of the new ordinance, the property owners are entitled to use the
premises as it had been used prior to adoption of the new ordinance for
perpetuity. However, a nonconforming use cannot be expanded, a nonconforming
building cannot be structurally altered that would increase or extend the degree
of nonconformity, a nonconforming use could not be abandoned (vacated) for a
period of one year, and a nonconforming use could not be converted to another
use without compliance with certain provisions of the zoning ordinance, e.g.,
the parking requirements of the new ordinance.
In addition, a nonconforming building, if destroyed by a fire, flood or by other
means, cannot be rebuilt. Now the present Zoning Ordinance states that "Any
nonconforming building which has been destroyed or damaged by fire, explosion,
act of God, or by a public enemy to the extent of fifty 50percent or more of
its assessed valuation, shall thereafter conform to the provisions of this
ordinance' In the new ordinance as proposed, however, "Any nonconforming
building which has been destroyed or damaged by fire, explosion, act of God, or
by a public enemy to the extent of 100ercent or more of its replacement value,
shall thereafter conform to the provisions of thischapter. Where the damage is
less than one hundred percent of replacement value, such building may be
restored to the same degree of nonconformity as existed before such damage."
According to the new ordinance provisions, if a building is destroyed by less
than 100% of its replaceable value, the building may be rebuilt exactly as it
existed prior to the destruction. This provision would allow a person to
recover a building's economic value if it's destroyed by more than 100% of its
value. You might ask, "How can a building be destroyed by more than 100% of its
value?" There are instances when, for example, fire damage and smoke damage as
a result of a fire may actually exceed the actual value of the building itself,
i.e., the cost to repair the damage from smoke and fire may exceed the actual
cost to replace the dwelling in its present state (new costs minus
depreciation).
The right to rebuild a building destroyed by fire is, of course, little
consolation to a person who wishes to expand a nonconforming use or building.
This is what concerns many property owners with respect to new zoning
regulations.
1.
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The degree to which properties are rendered nonconforming depends upon many
factors. Let's again compare the RM -44 zone and the R3A zone. A property with a
building and use in the R3A zone which is in compliance with present zoning
regulations may be nonconforming under new ordinance provisions simply because
under the new ordinance, more parking spaces are required for the dwelling. If
the dwelling is more than two stories high, it in addition probably won't comply
with the required setback provision of seven feet in the new zoning ordinance.
Since the new zoning ordinance provisions are different than present zoning
ordinance provisions, chances are that many properties will to some degree be
made nonconforming, i.e., be brought into noncompliance with new ordinance
provisions, as the above examples demonstrate.
As explained in another memorandum from me enclosed in the packet, the present
zoning ordinance is based on traditional Euclidean zoning control techniques.
The zones in Euclidean zoning assume a descending order of exclusiveness, i.e.,
there is a heterogeneous progression of uses permitted as districts become less
restrictive. An R1 zone is the most exclusive or restrictive zone and the M1
zone is the least exclusive or least restrictive zone. Single family dwellings
are permitted in an R1 zone; single family and two family dwellings are
permitted in an R2 zone; single family, two family and multi -family dwellings
are permitted in an R3 zone; all these residential uses are permitted in a
commercial zone; and in an M1 zone, any use is permitted.
I
� Since our present zoning ordinance is of the Euclidean type and the new zoning
ordinance assumes less of an accumulation of uses from higher zones to lower
zones, invariably there will be nonconforming uses resulting. The present M1
zone,.for example, permits any use. Even if the City were to retain the present
industrial classification for those properties zoned M1, many of the uses will
be nonconforming simply because the new industrial zones only permit industrial
and similar uses and exclude residential and many commercial uses.
In summation, it is virtually impossible to know how the new zoning ordinance
will impact property in regard to the 60 -day moratorium. Whether the moratorium
will have any impact at all depends upon how a property owner wishes to use
his/her property. It is equally as difficult to know the degree to which
properties will be made nonconforming. One property may be brought into
noncompliance with the new ordinance simply because the new ordinance requires a
greater number of parking spaces than provided, another property may be brought
into noncompliance with the ordinance because the use will not be permitted in
the new zone within which the property is located, and there will be many other
properties with a varying degree of nonconformity in between.
Unfortunately, a change from Euclidean zoning to a less accumulative form of
zoning will necessarily result in an impact upon existing properties. But that
impact, if negative, will have resulted from provisions which require higher
compatibility of land uses and fewer detrimental effects upon adjoining land
uses. Most importantly, the density and intensity of land uses will be more in
accordance with the City's Comprehensive Plan.
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City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
Date: April 27, 1983
To: City Co�grT'fil
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From: Don Schmeefst4_.1i'
Re: Proposed OPD -H Zone Regulations
In 1926 Amber Realty sued the City of Euclid, Ohio, because it downzoned a
portion of its property from commercial to residential. The case was
probably the most important case tried in the history of zoning
regulations, not because the City of Euclid won its case for downzoning
the property but because the zoning ordinance, which was also challenged,
was upheld in the U.S. Supreme Court. After this case cities across the
country adopted similar zoning regulations.
The zoning ordinance which the City of Euclid adopted is very similar to
the ordinance which we presently have for Iowa City, both of which
incorporate what has been termed Euclidian zoning control techniques.
To avoid the problems with the traditional Euclidian zoning concepts,
cities have adopted different zoning techniques. In the case of density
controls, for example, some communities have adopted floor area ratios;
some have required a usable open space percentage; some control density on
a number -of -bedrooms basis; and a few communities, like our own, use
planned unit development provisions that essentially say: "show us what
you want to do, and we'll let you know if we like it."
The Federal Housing Administration in the early 1960's developed a non -
Euclidian approach to site planning controls commonly referred to as the
LUI (pronounced Looey) system. The system is perhaps best explained in an
excerpt from a publication by Mr. Frederick H. Bair, Jr. attached to this
memorandum.
The proposed Planned Development Housing Overlay Zone is an adaptation of
the LUI system as developed by Frederick H. Bair. Bair incidentally is
one of the most noted authors of model zoning regulations and has written
The Reaulation of Modular Housing, with special emphasis on mobile homes;
the text of a model zoning ordinance, with commentary; and many others.
Unfortunately, however, I would have to agree that the model ordinance to
which the OPDH zone was adapted is very difficult to comprehend.
The staff's intentions for developing the OPDH zone were to apply a
totally different system of land use controls than enforced under more
traditional and conventional zoning techniques. It is a very workable
system and one which has been tried and tested by FHA since the early
1960's and one which I have personally used in other communites for
assessing planned unit developments. It in actuality is a very simplified
and flexible system of land use control, although it is not apparent in
the draft provisions of the OPDH zone.
i 141CROFIL:CR
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Part I.
Introduction
The details of the system of simplified land -use -
intensity (LUI) controls and regulatory devices are out-
lined in the 1973 edition of HUD's Minimum Property
Standards series, specifically in Volume 2, Multifamily
Housing, and Volume 4, Manual of Acceptable Practices
to the HUD Minimum Property Standards (MAP). The
use of these publications will increase the ease with
which the LUI system can be incorporated in local regula.
tions.
In this report, ordinance language and commentary
indicate how this system can be used to control attached
and multifamily uses in existing districts and also to
preset land -use intensity (a refined expression of density)
to correspond with comprehensive plans in future
rezonings.
as * • a
Shortly after the land -use -intensity (LUI) system was
developed, a group of prominent Washington, D.C., archi.
tects met with Byron Hanks, the Chief Land Planner of
the Federal Housing Administration and one of the
originators of the LUI system. For almost an hour Henke
listened quietly to a series of pleas to junk it. It would in-
hibit good design, shackle imaginative construction, and
produce stereotyped housing.
Hanka had known what was coming. When he got the
floor, he showed a series of slides of award-winning
developments planned by the architects in the group, with
analyses indicating that each had passed the LUI screen
with no problems.
A great deal of study and testing went into the creation
of the LUI approach and related controls, which Norman
Williams appraises m "the most important recent
proposal for an overall system of bulk control."' He goes
on to note that it has been incorporated in a number of
Frederick H. Bair, Jr., planning consultant, Bair, Abernathy and
Associates, Inc., Auburndale, Florida is author of earlier ankles on
application of landaus, intensity in local regulations in Land -Use Controls
and Zoning Digest. Three appear in composite form in his Planning Clues,
published by ASPO in J9701 pp. 327-3471.
1. Williams, Norman, Jr.. American Land Planning Law IChiago;
Callaghan & Co., 19741, Vol. 3, p. 250.
zoning ordinances and has not turned up yet in reported
litigation. Current revisions make it even more useful.
Henke, in urging a new approach to land -use regulation,
notes that zoning has usually pressed new urban develop-
ment into molds "with monotonous uniformity of building
type and land use ... and with conspicuous inadequacy
of common open space for livability and recreation."'
FHA began using the LUI system in processing appli-
cations for planned developments in January 1964 and in
1965 applied it to townhouse and multifamily housing
generally. Among first local adaptations for zoning was
the October 1964 Amendment of the Zoning Ordinance of
Frederick County, Maryland, on Planned Unit Develop-
ment and Land -Use Intensity. An early application to
both planned developments and attached and multifamily
dwellings appeared in controls drafted in 1966 and adopted
in 1967 in the comprehensive zoning code of the city and
county of Honolulu.
The lend -use -intensity system, with its related controls,
has substantial advantages over conventional zoning
straitjackets that restrict design needlessly without
compensating public benefits. The LUI system controls
density more effectively than crude limits on lot area per
dwelling unit. It relates building spacing to window
orientation, rather than to which lot line a wall faces. In
addition to setting minimum requirements for total open
space, it calls for "livability" space—landscaped
pedestrian open space—and recreation space. It
recognizes the significance of presence or absence of per.
manent open space adjacent to the lot. It can be adapted
to a variety of horizontal and vertical building configura-
tions.
Many existing ordinances achieve some of these refine•
ments by a variety of devices—establishing light fans
adjacent to windows; varying lot area requirements
according to number of bedrooms; requiring minimum
amounts of landscaping; or increasing floor area ratios on
comer lots or lots adjoining other permanent open space.
The land -use -intensity system, with its related controls,
does all these things In an internally consistent manner.
2JAnd•Usr Intensity, A Guidance System for Housing and Urban
Development (Testimony before the Nations] Commission on Urban
Problems at its hearing on zoning, Houston, Texas, August 10, 19671.
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The LUI scale is adaptable to regulatory use from the
outer edges of suburbia to very -high-density locations in
metropolitan cores.
With all these advantages, it is surprising that the
system is not more generally used in local planning and
zoning. There are a number of possible reasons.
In the zoning field, new ideas catch on slowly,
particularly if they are complex. Planners tend to criticize
zoning without doing much to improve it. Zoning ad•
ministrators often are comfortable with archaic controls
and resist change. Day-to-day pressures are for map
amendments, minor changes in text, variances, or other
accommodations that will allow a particular applicant to
do a particular thing. When an old ordinance becomes
festooned with ad hockery and riddled with internal
conflicts, it may be replaced or rewritten: but even then
the overhaul may not include a fresh look at public
purposes and adjustment of regulatory techniques to
achieve them, without needless and sometimes counter•
productive constraints.
Thus, to take an overworked example, most ordinances
still require greater dimensions in rear yards than side
yards. The main building may not extend into the rear
yard except for an unenclosed porch, but accessory
buildings may be located in it, subject to provisions of
varying complexity grounded in long gone stables and
smokehouses. And boards of adjustment spend inordinate
amounts of time considering variances for enclosure of rear
2
porches, because no one has taken the lime to consider
what the regulations are intended to do and whether they
do more than is justified by public purposes.
Making the rear yard the some minimum dimension as
the side yard would provide separation considered
adequate for bedroom -to -bedroom exposure. Establishing
maximum lot coverage limitations lin addition to minimal
fixed yard requirements) would insure against over-
crowding land with structures. Enlarging the buildable
area of the lot to allow a greater variety of building forms
does not seem adverse to the public welfare. And enclosure
of the rear porch would be permissible without all that red
tape. Why not?
If simple and obvious improvements in zoning are so
long in coming, more complicated changes may - be
expected to take even longer. But increased adoption of
the LUI approach seems likely. The initial objection that
it hasn't been tried elsewhere was overcome long ago. A
number of major cities and counties (as well as smaller
jurisdictions) have been using it or are in the process of
adopting new ordinances that incorporate the system.
And the new HUD material makes it considerably easier
to understand without intensive study.
Changes in the HUD manuals suggest possible
revisions in present LUI based local controls. What
follows explains important elements of both the old and
the new system and suggests ordinance language for
adoption or adaptation.
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City of Iowa Cit„
= MEMORANDUM
Date: April 22, 1983
To: City Manager
rJ
From: Don Schmeiser, Director, Planning & Program Development
Re: Eligibility of Paving Projects on Kimball/St.
Anne/Ventura/Tanglewood for Jobs Bill CDBG Funding
The Planning staff recently analyzed the paving projects on Kimball
Avenue, St. Anne Drive, Ventura Avenue and Tanglewood Street for eligi-
bility for CDBG funding. The conclusion was that none of these projects
appear to be eligible for funding with Metro Entitlement CDBG funds, but
that they might be eligible for CDBG Jobs Bill funding.
We have not yet received the final regulations for use of the CDBG Jobs
Bill monies, but preliminary information indicates that project
eligibility requirements will be essentially the same as for CDBG Metro
Entitlement funding. It appears therefore, that the paving projects would
not be eligible for CDBG Jobs Bill funding.
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Date:
To:
From:
Re:
City of Iowa Cite
MEMORANDUM
April 20, 1983
Neal Berlin,'•ty Manager
Don ScN" irector of Planning and Program Development
Kimball Road Sidewalk - Eligibility for CDBG Funding
Project Proposal
Replacement of curb and sidewalk on the east side of Kimball Road between
Kimball Avenue and Whiting Avenue.
Estimated Cost (City Engineer's estimate)
Sidewalk (2,756 square feet) $12,601.91
Curb, intake and asphaltic concrete overlay 14,891.00
Total $27,492.91
(Actual costs are likely to be lower because of contingencies, debt service,
etc.)
The original Engineering Division recommendation to the City Council was for
sidewalk replacement costs to be assessed to the property owners, with remaining
costs to be paid by the City.
Project Eligibility for CDBG Funding
Under HUD regulations, a neighborhood improvement project, such as sidewalk
replacement, is eligible for funding with CDBG monies if the majority of persons
benefitting from the project are lower income persons or if the project is
designed to prevent or eliminate slums or blight.
Analysis of Ownership Income Levels and Housing Conditions in Project Area
The attached plat map shows the lot size and ownership in the relevant area.
Proceeding north from Kimball Avenue, the following additional information is
available:
Parcel 1: 22,734 square feet. Vacant; double width lot. Owners are retired and
own and occupy the adjacent property at 703 Kimball Avenue.
Parcel 2: 11,369 square feet. 620 Kimball Road. Owner -occupied. Medium-size
house in good condition. Occupant is purchasing house on contract from an out-
of-town landlord.
Parcel 3: 11,369 square feet. 624 Kimball Road. Owner -occupied. Medium-size
house in good condition. Owners are retired.
Parcel 4: 41,625 square feet. 632 Kimball Road. Renter- occupied. Small house
in poor condition. House is situated on a double width/double length lot with a
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large accessory building (garage/shed) next to the house, and the remainder of
the lot is vacant. The owners are retired and live across the street at 711
Kimball Road.
Parcel 5: 40,681 square feet. Vacant; double width/double length lot. This
property is owned by the retired couple at 624 Kimball Road.
Parcel 6: 8,700 square feet. 724 Kimball Road. Owner -occupied. Small house in
good condition. Both owners are employed.
Parcel 7: 6,300 square feet. 800 Kimball Road. Renter -occupied. Large house
in good condition. Property being purchased on contract by an Iowa City
resident.
Four of seven lots are owned by retired (and therefore presumably elderly)
persons; because of the size of these lots they account for 70% of the total
sidewalk assessment. However, only one retired couple actually resides on a lot
on the east side of Kimball Road. Most of the remainder of the assessed property
is vacant. Since all these retired property owners have considerable assets
(their homes as well as the additional vacant property), it appears that they
would not be considered lower income persons under the HUD guidelines.
Conclusion
Based on the limited available income data, it is not certain whether this
sidewalk project would be eligible for funding under the CDBG program. In order
to be considered for funding under the "slums or blight" provision, it would be
i necessary for the City Council to designate the area as slum or blighted under
Chapter 403 of the Iowa Code.
Elicibility for Project Funding with Anticipated CDBG "Jobs Bill" Funds
The City has been notified about additional CDBG funding ($258,000) under the
recently signed "Jobs Bill." The specific "strings" attached to this money are
not yet fully known. However, since the primary intent of the bill is to create
jobs quickly and in this way benefit lower income persons (i.e. the unemployed),
this sidewalk construction project might be eligible for funding with the
additional CDBG money.
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141CROFILMED BY
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LCEDAR RAPIDS DES MOINES
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City of Iowa Cl_i
MEMORANDUM
Date: April 25, 1983
To: Iowa City Boards and Commissions, Agencies and Interested Persons
From: Mickey Lauria, Chairperson, CCN
Jim Hencin, CDBG Program Coordinator
Re: Allocation of CDBG Jobs Bill Funds
Iowa City will receive an additional $259,000 of federal Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG) funds for FY83. These funds are part of the "Jobs Bill"
approved by Congress and signed by the President on March 24, 1983.
Basic Objectives of the Jobs Bill CDBG Program
This additional appropriation by Congress is intended to:
a. Provide productive employment for jobless Americans;
b. Hasten or initiate Federal projects and construction; and
C. Provide humanitarian assistance to the indigent.
Basic Requirements of the CDBG Program
CDBG-funded projects which address the objectives of the Jobs Bill, are also
governed by the basic requirements of the CDBG program. Each activity funded
with Jobs Bill money must be an eligible use of CDBG funds and must meet one of
the three national objectives of the program. These objectives are to:
1. Benefit low- and moderate -income persons.
2. Aid in the prevention or elimination of slums and blight.
3. Meet other community development needs having a particular urgency.
Proposals for Projects to be Funded With Jobs Bill CDBG Funds
CCN will be holding public hearings on May 4, 1983, at 12:00 noon in the Public
Ljbrar and on May 11, 1983, at 7:30 PM i the Cjvic Center Counc 1Chambers, to
receive citizen proposals on the allocation of the Jobs Bjll CDBG funds. We
apologize for the short notice, but there is a real time crunch on getting the
statement of proposed activities to HUD, and using the funds for summer
activities.
If you have a project which you would like CCN to consider for funding with these
monies, information and proposal forms are available from Jim Hencin (356-5244)
and Marianne Milkman (356-5245 in the Department of Planning and Program
Development at the Davis Building on Washington Street (mailing address: Civic
Center, 410 E. Washington Street, Iowa City, Iowa 52240). Proposals may be
made in writing if you are unable to attend either public hearing.
CCN will forward its recommendations on allocation of the Jobs Bill CDBG funds
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE: "JOBS BILL" COBG PROGRAM STAMMENT
4-25-83 City Council Teets with CCM informally to discuss funding
priorities.
4-28-83 Publish information on available funds and eligible activities.
Notify.Boards and Commissions and other interested persons of
fund availability.
5-4-83 Regular CCPI meeting. Public hearing on proposals for funding
(12:00 noon).
5-11-83 CCN public hearing on project proposals (7:30 p.m.).
5-17-83 CCN finalizes recommendations on fund allocation to City
Council (12:00 noon).
5-20-83 Forward CCN's recommendations on proposed Program Statement to
City Council.
5-24-83 City Council sets public hearing on Program Statement.
Publish proposed Program Statement.
6-7-83 City Council holds public hearing on proposed Program
Statement.
6-17-83 Regular CCN meeting (3:30 p.m.) - new meeting schedule.
6-21-83 City Council approves final Program Statement.
6-24-83 Final Program Statement published and forwarded to HUD.
141CROFILMED BY
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City of Iowa Cit,
MEMORANDUM
Date: April 26, 1983
To: Neal Berlin and Members of the City Council
From: Michael Kucharzak���/e
Re: Housing Appeals Board Decisions
At a recent meeting of the City Council the types of decisions rendered by
the Housing Board of Appeals was discussed. In particular, the City
Council was interested if ceiling height violations would have to be
reheard if a building changes ownership. To help provide a foundation for
the understanding of the work of the Iowa City Housing Appeals Board, may
I provide the following factual information:
From January of 1983 through March of 1983, the Housing Appeals Board
heard appeal requests on 152 rental properties. Their decisions fell
into the following categories:
118 properties were granted a variance from one or more code
items.
7 of the variances were conditional on the property
remaining owner -occupied.
9 of the variances were granted with special instructions
to the owner on the use or occupancy of the room affected
by the variance.
Fifty-seven of the properties appealed had violations upheld by
the Board.
7 properties where violations were upheld received an
extension in the time required for correction.
Two appeal requests were denied.
Five properties had violations dismissed.
The Board rendered two interpretations regarding the Housing
Code.
It should be noted that the overwhelming number of decisions of the
Housing Board of Appeals has resulted in a variance being granted with
only a small number of the variance decision having special conditions;
such as restrictions on the use of the room affected, or the requirement
that the variance is in effect only as long as the dwelling unit in
violation remains occupied by the owner.
The majority of the variances granted dealt with inadequate ceiling
heights or a deficiency in minimum room size, window size or doorway
height.
i 141CROFILIIED BY
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CEDAR RAPIDS • DES MOME.
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City of Iowa Cit;^
MEMORANDUM
Date: April 26, 1983
To: Neal Berlin, City Manager I A/r`� •,'�
From: Michael Kucharzak�%•'J�' `
Re: Firewalls f
At a recent meeting with the Iowa City Council, a discussion regarding the
requirements for duplex construction, condominium and zero lot line
construction were discussed, with the Council asking for an explanation of
the difference in the construction types and what happens when there is a
conversion from one use to another. This memorandum along with the
attached technical reports will be an attempt to answer the Council's
questions.
Duplex Construction
A duplex is a two-family residence. The building code allows a duplex to
be constructed of any type of approved building materials and is the same
classification of construction as single-family home construction. As a
result, a structure built as a two-family residence, (duplex), is not
required to have special firewall protection separating one dwelling unit
from another; however, it is the practice of the Building Official to
require a side-by-side duplex to have each side separated by 2x4s having
5/8" drywall on each side rather than the V drywall minimum required by
Code.
I
Since sound attenuation is a market concern for duplex builders, sound
insulation or an additional row of 2x4 studs is often added so as to
f create a dead air space to minimize sound transmission. Walls built
expressly for sound attenuation will not carry a fire rating unless
specifically designed as such. The building code does not require
additional fire protection for a duplex or single family structure from
adjoining property other than what would be provided by the requirement
for open yards on the lot separating one duplex building or single family
structure from a neighboring building.
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Condominiums
A condominium is not a type of construction, rather is a type of property
ownership which allows for individual ownership of a unit in a multi -unit
structure such as an apartment building. A building sold and/or owned as
a condominium may be constructed as a single-family residence, a duplex or
a multi -family residence. Regardless of the ownership of the property,
the building official will not change the construction classification of
the building from its original design, that is, if a building was built
according to the code requirements for a duplex, it will remain a duplex
regardless of whether it is under condominium ownership or not. A
building built as an apartment dwelling will retain the apartment
classification of the codes whether or not the apartments are individually
owned as in a condominium arrangement.
Zero Lot Line
The Department of Planning and Program Development has provided a rather
lengthy report on zero lot line construction which I may recommend to
those desiring additional information. However, for the question at hand,
it is important to remember that a zero lot line structure is a single-
family residence and therefore must be built and designed as a separate
individual dwelling unit. To the building official, that means the code
requirements for a single-family home govern and that fire protection may
be achieved by providing ample side yards. By definition, a zero lot line
structure has one or more of its exterior walls on a property line,
therefore, when a yard is not provided (zero lot line) the fire protection
normally provided by yards must be achieved by constructing a one-hour
wall on that property line. The one hour wall is expressly for the
structure being protected and is not a common wall with the neighboring
zero lot line dwelling. According to the International Conference of
Building Officials that promulgates the Uniform Building Code, dwellings
built on, or within three feet of the property line will require, at a
minimum, a one-hour wall. The most conventional method of achieving a
one-hour fire rating in light frame construction is to fasten five -eights
inch drywall to wooden or metal studs comprising the wall. A zero lot
line structure built according to this recommended design then stands as a
separate dwelling, and not just a separate dwelling unit. The neighboring
zero lot line structure abutting the property line in common must also be
constructed in the same fashion, that is must have its own one-hour wall
thus creating a separate dwelling unit, and not just another dwelling unit
in a common structure. Should a fire destroy one of the dwellings, it is
conceivable that the neighboring dwelling would not be extensively
damaged due to the separation of the two dwellings by four sheets of
drywall material and two sets of studding material. In addition, when and
if one of the structures is demolished, the building demolished can be
entirely removed from its foundation without affecting the neighboring
property since each are built as completely separate structures.
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It should be noted that a number of zero lot line structures have already
been built in Iowa City, that is they have been constructed with the
proper fire separation and have been built with the possibility of being
converted to legitimate zero lot line buildings when the zoning ordinance
allows. There are also a number of duplexes which have been built to be
sold as condominium units. These structures were designed and built as a
duplex and not as a zero lot line structure, since the realtor/developer
desired only to create an opportunity for individual ownership of interior
space with exterior walls and property owned in common by two property
owners. Building construction other than that required for duplexes is
not an issue in this case.
What happens when conversion takes place? In essence, any type of
residence may change ownership from owner -occupied to tenant -occupied,
from fee simple title to land contract purchaser , from individual
ownership to condominium ownership. Structures cannot change classifi-
cation from single-family to duplex without a structural alteration
creating two separate and distinct dwelling units, each having facilities
for cooking, eating, living and sleeping, and having no physical connec-
tions from one dwelling unit to the other. A single-family home or a
duplex cannot be converted to an apartment, that is a dwelling with three
or more apartment units contained therein, without meeting the
construction requirements of the Uniform Building Code for a separate, and
more demanding classification of dwellings. In simplest terms, the
conversion would require a complete review of the existing building
materials and the proposed conversion to make certain that appropriate
fire protection separations exist as required by code. No structure built
as a duplex or as an apartment may be converted to a zero lot line
structure, that is have a property line run through an existing structure,
without providing the required fire separation between dwelling units. It
is not impossible to do this, but rarely practical or economically
feasible. The better solution would lie in converting an existing duplex
or an apartment complex to a condominium.
MICROFILMED BY
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How can these be more consistent?
I believe the greatest level of consistency will exist if we do not
proliferate more ordinances but rely on the existing ordinances in effect
which adequately regulate structure design, construction and ownership.
You may recall that we had a similar conversation in respect to the
housing code requirements for inspecting both sides of an owner -occupied
duplex and the arguments presented at that time by both the Department of
Housing and Inspection Services and Legal referred to the lack of fire
separation between the two units within the duplex. The Council may
further recall that based on that information no change from the existing
Policy requiring inspections of both halves of a duplex, regardless of
ownership or occupancy was initiated. Continuation of our existing
inspection and licensing policy would be in accord with the requirements
and interpretation of the Uniform Building Code.
If I can provide any more information for your consideration, please so
advise.
bdw/sp
cc: Don Schmeiser
Glenn Siders
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Separately Owned
Multiple -unit
Residential
Buildings
INTRODUCTION
VAcre are condominiums covered in Ole
Uniform Building Code? What degree of
fire -resistive separation must be provided
between units in a Condominium? must a
property line beassumed between the units?
If so, are parapet walls required? Are. town.
houses treated differently? In what occupan.
cy classification should such buildings be
placed?
Does the foregoing soon,) familiar? These
are some of the numerous questions which
have been raised regarding multiple -tenant
residential buildings where each unit within
n building is under separate ownership. The
key tothe answers to most of these questions
is how the budding is actually constructed
and this, in tum, "'It determine whether the
provisions for a Group R. Division 1 or
Group R, Division 3 will apply.
CONDOMINIUMS OR TOWNHOUSES!
_Whherher a n4,hinlr. ..'r s, r'Idin wsith
n�ch umt underseparate ownershipis. filed
.r cnndammmm er+rnw•n n; r, u.entl-
_lied by any other name) is really immateria
msedar as w in cna ono intron ,s con
cane . The u timate goal Ii to elermine
under what occupancy group a building
should be. classified. For the purposes of this
article, however, a definite distinciiun will
be made between the terms "con.
dominiums" and "townhouses," The fol.
lowing concepts apply to mulliple-unit
commercial buildings as well as m residen.
tial buildings, but because most of Ihe quos•
lions raised have been related to residential
buildings this article will be limited thereto.
Ina nutshell. it the method of ownership
of a 1,1111 within .I budding is such that a ,s
rviaible lin an uwnr, In u,wn only.1'r space
by T.1. Koyamatsu, P.E.
Chief Plan Check Engineer
International Conference of Building Officials
occupied I:y his unit (e.g., a unit located
entirely on the third sioryr, such a building
will be referred to as a condominium. On
the otherhand, if it rs a budding m which Ihe
owner of a unit (regardless of ;he number of
stories) also owns the land upon wsndch lits
unit is located, and is completely indepen-
dent except for the yard surrounding the
building, the structure will be referred to as a
townhouse.
CONDOMINIUMS
Condominiums as defined above are con.
sidered apartments and all the requirements
for Group R. Division I Occupancies apply
(except for two -unit condominiums which
(all into a Group R. Division 3 dassifice•
tion). An owner of a unit within a con.
dominium owns outrighl only the air space
occupied by his unit. The portion of the land
upon which the building is situated, the sur.
rounding grounds, party walls, corridors,
services other than those within Indepen-
door units, such as electrical, water gas,
sewers, etc., become joint responsibilities
of all (he owners as tenants in common.
Arcordingly, some legal agreement an:ung
all the uwrers will be necessary for the
Ownership and maintenance of these areas
owned in common. The building may be
assumed to require no special building code
compliance other than that (or a ivpi,;al
apanmenl building.
In order to support the posinun described
in Ihe previous paragraph. let us assume that
a Itnn,u of ten individuals built a ten.unn,
N%o dory apartment building with cuual
shares for renting or leasing purposes. Un.
less otherwise speeifis.ally stated it, the rrgt•
nsg or leasing acre -:men), the uOkeep :end
m,untenantr olthe eutuc budding h,vnnny
the resnons,bility of the ten owners. Now let
us a.,,:mc Ilial each ni the usurer. rw ears lu
occupy one of the units instead of renting or
Icasing. The conditions have not changed
and the building orcupaney classification is
still an apartment. Each owner owns his unit
but the group of owners are collectively re.
spr ible for the remainder of the building.
The resulling conditions for the apartment
building are exactly those described in the
Previous paragraph for condominiums.
TOWNHOUSES
Townhouses as explained previously are
buildings which arc subdivided inicl individ.
ual units such that each owner owns his own
unit and alsn has entitlement to the parcel of
land upon which his unit is located. The
yards surrounding the building are owned
jointly by the owners of the townhouse.
Each unit may Ix only one story in height but
could b,• two or seven three (combustible
construction assuml!d) stories in hutght. In
anycase, thea wnerhas exclusive use of the
land ulxm which his unit is consl•ucted.
lines between adjacent parcels of land is the
method by which boundaries of ownership
are established. In nther words, between ad.
jaceni units within a townhouse, property
lines must he eaablished since tile adjacent
parcels of land are owned separately and
redo•, lively bwo%%nvrsof the units.
Refernnp to FIGURE 1, property lines
2.11.3.1o. 4.9and i.em0.16oe 1.1bllshe,l
between unir. A and Is, B and C. C and n.
.end n and E. ie%pertwr(v. Cr.lr nvumr.
mems b.rsed on haanon on proovoK set
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COMMON OWNERSHIP'
~'.-FIGURE-1=.'; .
nh in Section 504 area licahle to these
strurtion, including the footings as indicated
alIsand wa ooenmcs iacmgt ese mtennr
in:•ection %-X. FIGURE II. A single footing
urope:rlylines between units.
as indicated in Detail Y could be considered
Property lines should a so • established
an acceptable alternate with a legal agree-
heneeen the boundary of the entire building
ment hemseen adjacent unit owners. In ad•
sod the adjoining common property since
dition, if the floor area of any unit at any
Ilieunilsand their rew. ctiveparcelsofland
level exceeds 1,000 square feet, parapets of
are independently owned and the common
the same degree of fire -resistive con-
pmpertyisjoindyowned.ln this case, how.
struction as required for the walls complying
ever, the common property may be consid-
with Section 1709 should be provided. In
eyed poen yard to determine the fire-resis.
this regard questions have been raised
five requirements for walls and wall open.
whetheror not aone-hour roof fora distance
Ings for walls such as 1.2, 2.3,
.___._._..__.._..-....._..... _ ._
3.4 ..: 12.1. The property lines for this
puroose may be considered analogous to
pruperh• lines between private property and
I
public streets or alleys. Some legal instru•
_
nu•nt will be necessary In reserve these open
spaces in perpetuity.
[f
Occupancv Classification
j
Now that ithas beenestablished that each
it
. of the units A, B, C. D and E in FIGURE I is
independently owned and, furthermore, the
parcel M land upon which each unit is situ-
t
ated is also independently owned, each unit
may be classifier) as a Group R, Division 3
•••
Occupancy. In other words the building is a
'=" %��•� S,• . `•.•;,,:.
,eries or a row (thus, sometimes referred to
;s mw houses) of single-family dwellings
� _i:,,-„�,�� ;.;.<;•
,•
.d+uttin•each other. Inorder to qualitycom-
nletely as an R•3 Occupancy, however, the
+•tie :.:4:'•='r;'•'��;• �,: i <.
.�! :' �
.;,;y
scalls at the interior property lines should be
c�-''�4•�S .•,;, = �"' ;r:'t
•"'
properly constructed and services to the
:.��r' 14
•._4 ,,,, ..• t,.';.: '.j:�;-::.
.wits must be independent as hereinafter
'� "•^^' '�r+'._:;$ECiIONX-X
de•<aibed.
Wall Construction
cwr • arh f the unitsof the townhouse is
m indru,mrlenl building on an in evendent
{ram , til land, the rix a requires t a t eacn
.'rust he provided wit me epent em t•<tenor
.valls rn t u' aonmunate Irc•resisuvu true
Is rt permissible to construct a single two-
hour area separation wall in lieu of two Inde.
pendent one-hour walls at the interior prop.
erty lines in townhouse construction? This is
another question which is often raised. Sec.
hor.505 (d) states, in part, that "Each portion
of a building separated by one or more area
separation •.calls may be considered a sepa.
rate building. . ." A single (w•o-hour area
Practical:g to prohibit the area separation
wall from being pierced may be easier said
then done. This statement would also be true
for the required fire -resistive exterior prop•
erty line walls. In the latter case, however, if
the interior face of the exterior wall within a
units pierced, one fire -resistive membrane
for this wall still remains, separating it from
the exterior wall of the adjacent unit. See
iRAPET
... 1 ,.qJ Lt
DETAIL Y
FIGURE II
1 RICRof ILMED BY
_JORM - MICR6L"AB`
CEDAR RAPIDS • DES r•101NES
(Continued on page 70)
JI
Z
30
r;RE-RESISTIVE
MEMBRANES
PIERCE[
MEMBRAI
FIRE-RESISTIVI
MEMBRANES
PIERCED
MEMBRANE
TWO ONE-HOUR WALLS
SINGLE TWO-HOUR WALL
FIGURE III. In the case of a single two-hour
wall, if the face of a two-hour wall within a
unit is pierced, the wall of the adjacent unit
and the unit itself become exposed to haz-
ards from the first unit. See FIGURE IV,
It should be kept in mind that when the
two one-hour walls are replaced by a single
two-hour wall the adjacent units are no
longer completely independent of each
other. If a se arate ownenhi conte t is to
he maintained between t e its, l�legal pro.
visions must bemadetort eisTemainlenancepi'
e common was between them. net
weighing the pros and cons or a single two.
hour will compared to two one-hour walls
required at the property line by the code, the
decision is left to the building official for
acceptance or rejection of the area separa•
torn wall as an alternate. See Section 105.
FIGURE III
FIGURE IV
Services
. In order for units and parcels within a
townhouse to be considered se aratel
own services suc as water as sewers
-electricity, etc., must also beindependent of
each other. -They should not crossover prop-
erty lines established between units. It
would be acceptable, however, to have
main distribution or collector lines to serve
the independent urns, provided they are
separately metered where required. A main•
tenance and repair agreement will be neces.
sary for such main lines since they are items
of joint ownership. See FIGURE V.
Perhaps the townhouse concept could be
better explained if we were to begin with a
subdivided tract containing, for example, a
row of 40 -foot -wide lots fronting on a 60 -
foot -wide street with a 20 -foot alley at the
J
i MICROFILMED BY
-"JORM -MICRdLAt3
CEDAR RAPIDS • DES 110MES
rear as indicated in FIGURE VI Now let us
assume that the zoning ordinances were
such that zero setbacks were permitted, i.e.,
construction is permitted to extend to ail
property lines of each lot. if, for example.
the owner of lot 29 were to take full advan•
tage of this he may construct a house and
garage as indicated. The exterior walls at the
interior properly line which are adjacent to
lots 28 and 30 must be of one-hour fire.
resistive construction and, furthermore,
one-hour parapets may be required. Walls
facing the 60 -foot street and 20 -foot alley
need not be fire resistive since the center
lines of streets and alleys may be considered
the property line for the purposes of deter-
mining these exterior wall and openingpro.
tections, based on Section 504. Sewers,
water, gas, electricity, etc., services should
be connected to the street or alley without
crossing interior property lines into either lot
28 or 30. I'm sure we would all agree that
the building must be structurally indepen-
dent. The owners of lots 28 and 30, may
each do likewise by erecting completely in-
dependent buildings, including services, as
did the owner of lot 29. By repeating this
procedure for the remaining lots, the end
result would be a row of R-3 Occupancy
buildings. The point is that townhouse con-
struction and ownerhip must be as given in
this example in order that they may be con-
sidered as Group R, Division 3 Occupan-
cies. The lot on which each unit is con-
structed must be owned by the unit owner,
and the building erected thereon plus the
services must be completely independent.
The yards which surround the townhouse
building may be compared to that of the
streets and alleys in this example for the
purposes of establishing exterior wall and
opening requirements for those walls which
face these yards. It is important to recognize
that all of the conditions which apply in this
example must be satisfied in the con-
struction of a townhouse as defined earlier
in this article so that the units may be consid-
ered Group R, Division 3 Occupancies. Un-
less complete independence is provided,
any multiple -unit residential building would
fall into a Group R, Division 1; in other
words, a condominium—as defined earlier.
OTHER OWNERSHIP COMBINATIONS
In the previous paragraphs it has been
pointed our that in order for units within a
multiple-dwel ling building to be considered
as Group R, Division 3 Occupancies it
would be necessary that each unit be com-
pletely independent from another and con-
structed on a parcel of land which is also
owned by the owner of the unit; it is also
necessary that all of the services be indepen-
dent of each other. What happens when all
of these conditions are not satisfied?
Ler us assume that each of the units of a
multiple -unit dwelling meets all of the re-
quirements for lownhouses previously dis-
cussed but that they are not provided with
independent fire -rated walls for an alternate
two-hour area separation wall approved by
M. ,
J
,6,, h:old,nrz othci,in at the pruperty line; the - ..
,i uning propenv line wall is a single wall of
perhaps one-hour fire -resistive con-
svuclion. Despite the fact that the owner of
cath unit also owns the parcel of land upon
w I,Kh his unit is located, the single-wall
construction at the property line creates
continuity among the units, resulting in a
single building, i.e., an apartment house. If
the various services are interconnected with
each other across the interior property line
interdependence is created and a similar i r
condition results. In such cases the proper j
occupancy classification for the building is
Group R, Division I lexcept that a building
consisting of two such units is classified as a
Group R, Division 31.
SUMMARY
It would be accurate to say that in most
r
f
cases multiple -dwelling -unit buildings con.
1'
_
''. sistingofthree ormore uniiswhere the units
!="'
are separately owned are considered con-
on-dominiumsandareregulatedbythecodeas
dominiums and are regulated by the code as
•'
apartments or Group R, Division 1 Occu-
pancies. Multiple -dwelling -unit buildings
.— W =G;
where units are completely independent of
each other, including the parcel of land
- ----
uponwhicheachunitisconstructed,and all
the services to each unit are independent,
---
are classified as townhouses; these build.
I
ings are regulated by the requirements for
L
Group R, Division 3 Occupancies.
Regardless of the method of ownership of
t dwelling units within a building when there
,
are only two units, such buildings are regu-
lated by the requirements for Group R, Div:
O
r
COMMON OWNERSHIP ^�
son 3 ccupannes. r...,, _........ .. _...._. ._--- .. _ ..
j
OR
ERTY
ES r
FIGURE V
I
J• i
i MICROFILMED BY
—JORM'MICR46CAB" -�
CEDAR RAPIDS DES MOINES
I '
E
31
0
J
4
LETrERS!w;qs: =T-s1iL'r«t:M'.,x...,: >.^i lb4i•..�'. t�f T.i{f�.. :.r4..;„ ai
ldras ilia opmmm m this [,tort.. are Ihose or the• writer and ,or
nmessardv of ICBG. letters should lie sent l2: (Biot. Budding Standarns.
53605ourh Ltbrkman Aldl Road. Ithimer, Calgnrnta 90601.
Townhouses and Condos—Property Lines and Code
Requirements
I would like to comment on Mr. Koyamatsds article entitled
"Separately Owned Multiple -unit Residential Buildings," as
printed in the lanuaryFebruary, 1981, Buildine _ landaids.
The notion of separate ownerships, such a: in townhouses and
condominiums, is becoming more prevalent each tear. In many
instances, land is being subdivided mucic later than the actual
construction of multiunit buildings in order!() dihieve such sepa-
rate uwnership,. This phenomenon has natia;i.iv 61 to the clues.
lion of building protection requirements tar these types of build-
ings, as set tooth to the Building Code. It is exp^::a I Iy sexing should
.in existing building be placed in a "noncomplying" condition
simply because property lines have been located between two
dwelling units after the building has been occupied.
This situation brings to mind a question: Should the building
official initially require certain types of common wall construction
in an R-1 townhouse, keeping in mind that at some time in the
future these units mayvery likely become individually owned (R-3
Occupancies?) due to the addition of property lines?
It is my contention that the problem of common wall protectirn
(construction) need not ever be addressed insofar as these paricu-
Jar walls relate to property lines.
Let me cite an example of a very basic type of building with
which we are all familiar—the double bungalow—to point out a
peculiarity rn the referenced article.
Suppose this double bungalow is constructed on a lot with no
property line between units (a single lot). The code requires
nothing special in terms of common wall construction for this R-3
Occupancy. In fact, the code does not even require that any wall at
all be built between the two units.
Now, suppose that another building is constructed identical to
the first, except that in this case there is a property line between the
two units. At this point the article asserts that the code requires that
the common wall between units should be constructed of two
separate one-hour rated walls (including parapets as required in
Section 17091. Why is it that the code would require this additional
construction when the use of the building, the occupancy classi.
fication of the building, and the building itself have not changed? Is
this an apparent aberration of the Building Code? I think not.
I contend that the code does nnrrequire additional construction
at the common wall, whether or not there is a property line at that
wall. Where then, does this "requirement" for rating certain com-
mon walls find its roots?
Let me answer my own question. It appears that once property
lines are introduced between any two units, many people are
referencing certain code sections pertaining to pio[erty lines and
distances that buildings are located from property lines (see Sec-
tion 504 (h) and Table No. 5 -AI. A cursory examination of these
sections might indicate that this is the most logical thing to do. But
is it correct? Refer closely to Section 504 (bl and Table No. 5-A. The
rode correctly expresses concerns ever the distances that exterior
walls are set from property lines. Therein lies the crux of my
dissertation. The code specifically states that it is the mleriorwalh
of a building that we should he concerned with. Let us he very sure
exactly what these exterior walls really are that the code is alluding
to.
Refer to Section 424 for the tdelimtinn wall r%ienur swab. In pall,
this section reads, ..Exterior ',t',d1 is any a,o: ,:: eiement of a
wall ... which defines the exterior boundaries . of a build.
ing ..." With further reterem a to a dicoona:w, ih< term exterior
means "on the outside, external." Note thal by Ihedefinition to the
Building Code, ex terror walls are referring to the outside walls of a
fsuilding and nub the ex nemdres of a unit or portionof a bmldtng. In
other words, a rectangular building containing several units will
have oniv four exterior walls, no matter where certain property
lint. may be located. It is extremely important to recognize that
exterior walls are "outside" walls and in no way relate to a com-
mon, parry, tenant separation, etc., wall. These wall types are all
interiorwail'.
is.
Keeping this in mind, all references in the code to exterior will
protection (including parapets) as they relate to property lines
should not be applied when considering any requirements for
common walls (interior waI lo.
How then should one look at these common walls where a
property line exists( As previously pointed out, the presence of a
prupern line should have no bx.inng nn any special type of con-
struciun required for that common wall. However, it is the manner
in which one views the entire building that would necessitate
various code requirements. One would have to consider if the
building were composed of several smaller buildings (many R-3
Occupancies) or of several units within a single building (an R-1
Occupancy). In either case, ownership of those units (and possibly
the underlying land) should not affect the building construction
requirements.
There are many portions of the code one could utilize when
addressing either of the situations indicated above, depending on
sire, number of floors, etc. Curiously, in neither of the situations
mentioned does the ccvle require twrs separate one-hour rated
walls. As a further pnint of :niormation, the only wall type that
should be considered (when requiredl, whether an R-1 or an R-3
Occupancy, is an area separation as prescribed in Section 505 (d).
Reflecting further, perhaps a comparison of two identical multi-
unit buildings, one without property lines between units and one
having property lines between units, will prove helpful. Consider
the building containing the property lines and ask yourself the
following questions:
As a result of adding property pines within this building,
1. Has:he building physically changed?
2. Has the use of the building, changed?
3. Has the occupancy classification (multiple dwelling)
changed? Seedefiniltonaf Apartment Houses."
4. Have whatever hazards inherent ?n this building been in.
creased or altered?
Perhaps when answering each tithe questions listed above, one
can readily see that property lines will alter little in a building
besides ownership. It is not cur commitment, nor does the code
require it to be, to address the phenomenon of ownership.
For additional commentaries and viewpoints on this subject,
refer to the similar articles published in the July -August, 1972, and
the November -December, 1972, issues of Building Standards.
Tim Skusa
Plan Check Engineer
City til Bloomington, Minnesota
1 :
i t41CROFILI4ED By
I_ "-DORM MICROLAS 1
CEDAR RATIOS • DES I401'IES
1
J
z
i
o<
z
U
hhtu and opmrun. in rhes coiumn are thu,e of the anted and not
nec'ruanly n1ICBO Loners should be sem rot lrinrr
51EO8nnWillmanh Will Atilt R..... w'himer Caliinrma 906ol. Standards
"Separately Owned Multlple-unit Residential Duilcings"
Drawn Comments
In response to aim Skusa•s well letter in the March -
April, 1991, issue of Building Standards an '70wflhnuses and
Condos—Property Lines and Code Requirements"—I dissent. &.e
"Separately Owned Multiple -unit Residential Buildings" by T. I,
Noyamaisu, liuildi• gSlandardS. lanuary.F h•uary, 1991.1 I agree
that'the noon ( separate ownersh ips. such as m Inwnho uses and
condnmmiurnc, is becoming mare prP-valenl cath year. In many
instances, land is if -ir,g suLdividerl much later than [fie rrt.ival
con,uuction of mulliunit hoil ines in order to achieve such sepa-
rate ownership." or later it. Sku•:a raises the question of future
requirements of an R- I lownhouot :hill would hP modified into an
RJ Occupancv. The code amply r overs change of occupancy, and
all of utemmimum requirements should be mel it exceedptl if and
when a r-haage incurs—whatever the classtitcation.
Now, returning to the more substantive difference of approach
in fundamental code requirement—which is life saletyl—the mini.
mum protection of the individual from the imprudent acts of the
careless, whether he is a neighbor with an adequate side yard or
one with the required hourly rating property separation either of
which will provide the needed protection until the fire services can
arrive to do their duty. Historically, our building codes, the law and
the public have demanded no less. And I, for one, see no lessening
of this demand—no matter how the construction industry and its
financial supporters respond to the public's other pressures of high
cost, increased taxes and mounting interest rates.
Life protection, within acceptable bounds, is our principal duty,
and I believe that the existing code -making bodies do an outstand-
ing job, especially when one considers the complexity of the
demands placed upon them by today's imperious society.
Courtney Robinson, A.I.A.
ehic(Archilect
City of Indianapolis, Indiana
Koyamatau Article Lauded
Mr. Skusa's interpretation of the nvo-unit building not requiring
one-hour walls when there is a property line between them ignores
the intent and implications of the property line. I have no quarrel
with the duplex building without a property line.
However, the presence of a pn)pe.rty line establishes two single•
family dwellings and there is no longer a duplos involved. These
two single-family dwellings should be separate legal cntnics with
appropriate protection afforded each, i.e., one-hour walls.
Furthermore, in the event one of the units liecame substandard,
either by neglect or disaster (fire), and its owner did nor rorrect the
deficiencies, there then exists a very clear-cut difference between
the duplex building and the two-story single-family dwelling. In
the former case, the building is legally in joint owne. rship and both
owners are responsible for bringing thedefective unit up to code or
lace the legal consequences.
In the latter case, separate ownerships of Ihe single dwelling
units, only the owner of the defectise unit is Kahle and, in the
extreme, if he chooses not to correct the defects his unit can be
ordered demolished, yet not affecting file nther n,nii or owner.
Obviously there is more to (he subject than Mr. Skusa has
discusses/. He looked at the matter solely as an ewrose in code
Language study rather than the eniorcenneni and legal cones.
quences of the differences. In Ihe present-day would of litigation
and consumerism, one must be sure that sur code interpretations
are com;sienr with the legal ,nohcatunn n( l!", cutle and the
prnpw1y rights involved.
I found Tak Koyamatsu•s anirie not only to be a clear explanation
of this maser but also one that n very pen men: to prosent-day legal
sots. Unionuuately, tem many designers and some building offi.
cials have moon unaware of 1' • lege: implications of townhouse/
condo calsus single-family owellmg, and have Frrmnted con.
v
•uoion rt buildings that both legally and practically violate the
spun and intent of the code..
Alfred Goldberg, p. r.
G91.1/erg Research R DevelupmP.rfAssociales Corporation
San Francisco, California
Author Replies to Letter to Editor on Townhouses and Condos:
.t/ter reading rim Skusas comments in the March -April, 1981,
issue of Building Standards relative to my article "Separately
Owned Mulliple-unit Residential Buildings•' in thelanuary-Eebru.
dry, 1961, issue, it is apparent that the basic concepts illustrated
have been misunderstood.
Mr Skusa states, -11 is especially vexing should an existing
building be placed in a 'noncomplying' condition simply because
property lines have been located bensren two dwelling units after
the building has been occupied." This writer does not and never
did intend to take such a position. The onls' statement made in
regard to Mr. Skusa's illustration was that when loch a building
commas three or more dwelling units it must comply with the
prm•isiuns fur a Group R, Division 1 Occupanci: whether or not
prnpsry fines are ew blishid between such units before, after or
ever The series of units may be reviewed as separate single-family
rfwegmgs complying with the provisions fora Croup R, Division 3
Occupancyonly ii theyare constructed so that they are complete/,,
independent of each other.
An example is cited in Alt. Skusa :s comments, specifically, a
duplex constructed on a single tot, lVe agree that, based on code
definition, such P. building is otCroup R, Division J classification.
His illustration now supposes an identical building be attached to
the first duplex with a property line establisher/ beeveerr them with
only a singe parry wall. The final building (double duplex! would
not be considered a noncomplying building, but since it will
contain fourdwelling units ft must comply with the provisions fora
Croup R. Division I Occupancy. Mr. Skusa wishes to consider
these as Control R, Division 3 Occupancies.
The fallacy ofconsidering the example ofthe "double duplex"in
the previous paragraph as a Croup R, Division J Occupancy can
perhaps be oxvlained as ;bllon•s. By relerring to Table No. S -C we
find that the door area of a Grniip R. Division J building is
unlimited regardless oftvpe nfcon!uucfion. Table No. S•D allows
such buildings, mclurting Tvpe V -N construction, to be three sto.
nes in height. Applying these rode provisions to r tr, Skusa's exam.
ple, it world be permissibie to construct a duolex of Type V N
ronstruction. three storms in heightand unlimited in floorarea. So
tar so goal. ,Vow let us take an identical duplex, attach it to the
lint, with no provisions for property line requirements between
buildings, and then attach another and another and another ...
The end result is a multiunit residential building, of Tfpe L=N
c instruction three stories in height and ofunlimimd floorarea with
only party walls between duplexes funitsk I'm sure we would all
agree thatsuch a building is nolpermittedby the code. Bvproperly
rlassiiying such a building as a Group R, Division 7, the necessary
limits are auromaticelly established
L 1. Ko1•amatsu. p. E.
Chief Plan Check Engineer
i
i MICROFILMED BY
1. -JORM"MICREsLA6"
CEDAR RAPIDS • DES Id019ES
J
Condos—R-1 or R-37
It is interesting to note that in all of the leners puhlished relating
to Mr. Koyamatsu's article ("Separately Owned Multiple -unit Resi-
dential Buildings," Building Standards, January -February, 1581L
the terms "townhouse" and "condominium" have been used as
synonymous terms. What the building official must recognize is
that a "townhouse" is a type of construction, actually a rowhouse
with common walls on both sides of the structure, usually built in
this manner for economy, which are usually owner occupied.
These structures ate built as townhouses and not converted at a
later date. In our jurisdiction, they are built as an R-3 Occupancy
with a full separation from the basement to the roof.
A condominium is not a type of construction; it is a type of
ownership created by special real estate law that permits individual
dwelling unit estates to be established within a total or larger
property. The individual estates are technically established by use
of vertical and horizontal planes (surfaces) which are usually iden.
tified: vertically as the walls (not room partitions) of the unit and,
horizontally, as the floors and ceilings. In Colorado, the "State
Condominium Act" requires that all property owners within a
condominium -owned structure belong to a homeowners associa-
tion. Many apartment houses built as R -I Occupancies are now
being converted to condominium ownership. This is usually done
without the jurisdiction's knowledge or approval as long as the
proper documents are filed with the assessor's office.
My point is, the building official should not get overly concerned
about whether it is R-1 or R-3 when dealing with condos; it has
nothing to do with the building code. Legally, a group of town.
houses or even a duplex can be sold off as condo ownership,
provided the proper documents are riled.
Roque E Marquez
Zoning Administrator
City of Littleton, Colorado
Mr, Koyamalsu's response to above letter: Mr. Marquez states in
the last paragraph of his commentary relative to townhouses and
condominiums, 'My point is, the building official should not gel
overly concerned about whether it is R.I or R-3 when dealing with
condos. "It is our position that as far as applying the provisions of
the code is concerned, this is truly the main consideration. When
there are more than two dwelling units interconnected to form a
single building, the building should be reviewed as a Group R,
Division I Occupancy. When buildings are separated so that they
form completely independent buildings in groups o/not more than
two units per building, such buildings should be considered Group
R, Division 3 Occupancies. As stated in my original article, it does
not really make any difference whether they are called 'town-
houses" or 'condominiums" as far as code application is con-
cerned. The bottom line is whether they should comply based on
therequirements for R-1 orR-3 Occupancies.
1 �
i 141CROFILIIED By
�- —JORM - MICR6LAB-
CEDAR RAPIDS • DES MOINES
.._ A
J
s,lumnienitary u..
LL
Res den1dai Buf6d-cngS«-
The anicie by T, I. Koyamatsu deals quite
j
thoroughly witha subject about which there
is a great deal of misunderstanding. It both
enlightens and, at the same time, gives
icause for further examination of the subject.
Such, therefore, is the purpose of this
commentary.
IOn page 10, the second paragraph under
'Townhouses" states, "Provisinns within
building codes are written based on the pre.
mise that buildings muss be structurally in-
dependent and located within the ex.
t tremities of its own parcel of land ..." The
author's statement is entirely true if under•
stood that" ,. is own parcel of land" may:
1. Consist of more than one lot, all of
which are Occupied by the building,
or
2. Consist ofalot divided byseveral con.
dominium unit lines or townhouse
Property lines.
A previous commentary printed in
Bu4lding Standards, November -December.
1972, page 35, gets to the issue as follows:
"There is ... no section or provision
(in the Uniform Building Code) which
would prohibit the issuance of a per.
mil for a single building which is to.
cated directly over a property line.
There is no provision that such a strut•
lure have support on either side of the
Properly line which, if the building
were cut at that property line, would
hold the building up independently of
the structure on the other side of that
property line."
This leads to the second issue, "Docs a
building which crosses a property line re-
quire Fire protection at the property line?"
Agaln, quoting from the previous
commentary:
'The building which we are talking
about crosses a property line. It there•
fore has no exterior wall at that prop•
erly line and, as long as the roof
crosses the property line, there is no
exterior wall until you reach the
boundaries of the fluor area of the
building."
There is no code requirement for fire pro.
'� Roe'drr4+ (landare,, hnuary FC I), It InRI
by Coleman W Jenkins
Deputy County Engineer
County of Los Angeles
lection, due to proximily to a property line,
of an interior wall. Neither is there a require•
menl in the code for even having wall at an
interior property line.
Consider now Figure I. (Reprinted herein
from page 11 of the lanuaryFebruary, 1981,
811ildin0landards.) The buildings may con.
form to the requirements of an R-3 Occu.
panty. It is then possible to combine Units A
and 8 into one building across property line
2.11. Group R-3 Occupancies are dwellings
and dwellings are defined as ".. , any
building which contains .. , two dwelling
units ..." Since the Uniform Building
Code does not have a requirement fora wall
of any kind along line 2-11 except where it is
adjacent to the courtyard, any wall that is
constructed along that line common to both
buildings may be constructed in any way
desired by the applicant for permit. Fire
walls then constructed only along lines 3.10
and 4.9 would provide compliance with the
code, a fire wall not being required along
5-8 except as may be required in Unit D
facing the courtyard.
Carrying this consideration further in the
same Figure I, page 11, Units A, B, C, D and
E may be contained in one building as a
Group R Division 1 Occupancy without fire.
rated walls separating Unit A from B, B from
x
r 1 2 3
,
I
I A I R I C
r
i e
to
COMMON 01yr•
FIGURE I
C. etc., and, of course, no parapet walls are
required. Separate services of utilities may
be provided.
Some building officials find these con•
cepts frightening. Choosing to ignore the
absence of a code
requirement, they require
the applicant for permit to provide a fire wall
al each property line anyway because "it is
iusI good sense."
Is it really good sense? Take the case of an
apartment converted to a townhouse. condominium o
In one apartment,
tenants n nlive
s
next to tenants separated by a nonrated wall.
Aftertheconversion,a"property line"
Z
—
exists
within the nonrated wall. Do the owner•
u
occupants of adjoining dwelling units in a
<
condominiumor townhouse building repre.
senta greater fire hazard loone another than
do apartment lenents? Aren't
0
such Owners
more aware of the jeopardy to their equity
o
presented by careless living habits than
apartment tenants? Also, a condominium or
townhouse can be
occupied by tenants. In
that case, there is no difference in
3
exposure
whether the building is an
apartment or a
condominium or a townhouse.
m
Has a single -room store never been per.
mitted to occupy two lots by being located
47
over and perhaps centered on a property
line? Is a store more
any or less hazardous
X
4 f S _ 6
UE �-T
DI 11 I I
e e
Lr
9 8 7
KSHIP
l
talDRoruwED By
'DORM MIC RdL AB"-
CEDAR RAPIDS r DES t40114E5
:( '. m ndP. 4,)1 gob
J
tCmnnwd from payr a,,
because an imaginary line bisects it? There is no provision in the
Code, nor need there be one, to prohibit a singe building from
occupyin3 two or more separately owned lots withuut any interior
wall or walls at the property line.
Is there a concern that a fire wall is needed at every property line
to serve as a fire break to prevent a city -block -long holocausil
Consider then a block -long shopping center consisting of one
building. The problem still exists (the need for fire breaks) even
though there are no intervening property lines. The code ade-
quately addresses this problem as well as it does in buildings
constructed over several property lines by limiting the allowable
area of the building through the use of area separation walls or
sprinklers.
The building official should not be concerned with matters
involving maintenance of common walls or the necessity of how
these lines are recorded in the course of his duty of enforcing the
code. His authority is that which is granted by the Uniform Build-
ing Code as may be supplemented by local ordinances.
To venture beyond the confines of the Building Cade in this
subject is rather distracting, to say the least. For example, there is
no definition in the Uniform Building Code nor in most good
dictionaries of the term "property line." Many laws do not clarify
the question. For example, Section 659 of the Civil Code of the
Stateof California defines real properly as "... lard, soil, rocksor
other substances, including free of occupied or occupied
space ..." In most jurisdictions, the assessor sends a lax bill to
persons who own such "free or occupied space." BY doing so, he
has recognized that (1) the space is property, and (2) has tacitly
accepted the concept that these spaces have boundaries which, in
plan, appear to be lines. From that reasoning, the boundaries
between the air spaces or units within a condominium might be
called property lines. However, when this question was recently
addressed to a group of attorneys with expertise in property laws,
none of them could answer the question, "Are the boundaries
between condominium units property linesf"
Mr. Koyamatsu's definition of the differences between town-
houses and condominiums appears to be generally accepted in the
trade, although there is no distinction made in most civil codes
between the two.
Thgse who mandate fire protection at interior property lines
would do well to consider what they are permitting for the other
walls of a townhouse or a condominium, i.e., those exterior walls
which face common property, usually a yard, but which are right at
a property line. Technically, the code considers these walls as
exterior walls within J feet of a property line. As such, openings are
not permitted and a rating is required. Fortunately, Mr. Koyamalsu
provides a solution to this problem in his excellent article.
T.1. Koyamalsu's Response to Commentary: It is enlightening to
find that the article entitled "Separately Owned Muhiple-unit Resi-
dential Buildings," which appeared in the January -February,
1981, issue of Building Standards has generated much interest.
Mr. Jenkins' obsenation relative to the example depicted in
Figure I is correct. Units A and B combined may be considered a
duplex or an R-3 Occupancy. It is also true that the code does not
have a requirement for a will of any kind between these units
except when a court is formed. Similarly, Units 0 and E may M
combined with no special requirement for a wall between them
except where a court is created. One-hour walls plus parapets lif
over 1, olio square feet in Bnorarea) must be provided for the walls
of Unit C and the walls of Unit B and Unit D adjacent to Unit C if
these units are intended to comply as Croup .R, Division 3 Occu-
pancies. Although this parlicularcombinationofsutviivisu)nofthe
units was not specifically described in rhe article, it eeas rhe intent,
although perhaps somewhat Ifidden, to be handled in the last
paragraph of the summary, page 3l, wherefstated.-Regardlessof
6A ?e
it 141CROFILMED BY
--JORM-MICR6L:A9` 1
CEDAR RAPIDS DES I401RES r�
KOYAMATSU'S RESPONSE
(Continued from page 19)
the methodolownership of dwelling units within a building, when
There are only two units, such buildings are regulated by the
recuirements for Group R, Division 3 Occupancies. "
The example presented by Mr. Jenkins of an apartment convert•
ed to a condominium or townhouse accentuates one of rhe main
Points that w2s intended to be brought out in my article. WF
heartily agree that requiring an applicant to provide a are wall
between units of condominiums converted from an apartment
buildingisnotnecessarily good sense"simplybecause property
lines"have been established. As he points out, nothing has really
changed alter the conversion as lar as hazard and exposure are
concemec,, if anything, a safer condition can be anticipated be.
cause of the pride of ownership attitude of the condominium
owners.
There are some areas of Ali. Jenkins' commentary which I feel
are open to discussion, but, generally speaking, I think we are in
agreement. The bottom line is not necessarily vs hat one must do at
the property line, whether buildings are permitted to be -built
across"them, whether walls should be treated as interior or exteri•
or at the property lines, etc. There is foo much emphasis placed on
theterm 'Property line" (which IbelieveNlr.Jenkinsalso rmpliesin
his commentary) in dealing with this subject. The entire subject
boils down to the following:
1."en a building contains three ormore dwelling units andit
is constructed as a single building, it should be ieviewedas a
Group R, Division I Occupancy.
2. Aduplex orsingle-family dwelling unit byitself isclassified
as a Group R, Division 3 Occupancy regardless of any
Property line considerations. If such units are placed adja•
cent to each other in any combination so that the total
number of units is three or more, the requirements of Croup
R, Division i Occupancy apply.
3. When a series of dwelling units three or more in number are
built adjacent to each other and it is desired to consider the
structure based un Group R, Division 3 requirements, the
units must be independently constructed as described for
townhcuses in my original article. They may also be sub•
divided as described in the second paragraph of this article.
I would like to extend my appreciation to Mr. Jenkins for his
input on the subject ofcondnminiums and lownhouses which is, in
his words, "a subject aboulwhich there isagreat deal olmisunder-
standing."Hopefully, my original article plus his commentary will
help those who administer the code, as we// as the designers, to
apply the code properly on the sublect of 'separately owned
multiple unit residential buildings. " a
gob
r� !
r
j MICROFILMED BY
)ORM'-MICR6Li4B` -�
CEDAR RAPIDS DES HONES II
r
�1
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
DATE: March 28, 1983
TO: Neal Berlin,, City Manager
FROM: Harvey D. Miller, Police Chief �
RE: Noise Ordinance To Date
The following is submitted in response to ,your request for in-
formation is regard to the noise ordinance and enforcement.
Records pertaining to the ordinance have been maintained by
the Police Department since October, 1982. Totals, offered
below, are the aggregate of various requests from citizens from
October, 1982 through February, 1983.
A. A total of 707 complaints of excessive or disturbing
noise was received from citizens during the five month
period. Some 381 citizens volunteered their names as
complainants and 326 would not offer this information.
B. Loud music (335) complaints constituted the greatest
number of noise complaints. Loud parties totaled 251.
Noisy animal complaints accounted for forty-one requests
for service; traffic complaints numbered fourteen; and,
all other complaints totaled 56.
C. Most complaints (524) were resolved simply by an officer or
officers going to the source of the noise; identifying the
person or persons responsible for the noise and asking them
to "quiet down." In 175 instances the source of the noise
could not be located by the officers, or no noise was
apparent when officers arrived at the scene. Charges of
"keeping a disorderly house" were filed in eight (8)
instances. Dogs or noisy animals were impounded by officers
in eight (8) additional instances.
D. Actions taken to enforce the noise ordinance are those
suggested by you in the accepted draft of the enforcement
process manual dated September, 1982. In addition to this,
in a short time when the printing of "warning notices" is'
completed, I will issue an order and process for what I be-
lieve will be more effective response to complaints of
noisy animals. Upon completion, I shall forward copies
of the order and process to you and Council for your
information.
E. Monthly summaries of noise complaints received and actions
taken by the Iowa City Police Department will be included in
the monthly report.
7
i 141CROFILMED BY
- -"DORM "M4CR6LAB'--
CEDAR RAPIDS • DES MOINES
I
J
L�.
F. The Animal Control Division receives an average of
two "noisy animal" complaints each working day. Their
actions consist of:
1. Identifying and issuing a written "warning
notice" to owners of offending animals.
2. Filing the warning notice for future reference.
3. Notifying the complainant, if known, of the courses
of legal action that he/she may take.
4. Suggesting actions the owner of the offending
animal might take to avoid future complaints.
5. Upon subsequent complaints, filing of an appro-
priate charge with the Clerk of Court. (NOTE: The
courts will not accept the direct filing of a
citation by 'En—Animal Control Officer. Thus, they
must file misdemeanor charges in the same manner
as any citizen. Again, they cannot issue a direct
citation as does a police officer.)
G. In summary it can be noted that 250 of all noise complaints
were not located or appeared unfounded by the responding
officer; 740 were resolved upon a request by the officer
to the offending party; and, slightly more than 1% of
the complaints resulted in charges being filed against the
offending party. Less than 6% of the complaints received
by the Department were animal calls and of those, nearly
200 resulted in the impoundment of the offending animal.
I cannot determine at this time the number of animals that
were reclaimed after impounding or whether subsequent
complaints against the same owners of the impounded/reclaimed
animals were received.
All in all the ordinance appears to have generated an increased
awareness in regard to noise in our community. The ordinance
has not received any hard legal challenges, and perhaps will
not be subject to a great deal of legal tests, particularly
where extremely noisy parties or the operation of illegal
sound devices are evident, simply because in many instances,
the actual charge that might be filed against an offender lies
outside the actual ordinance and is arrived at by reference.
For the next several months, you and the City Council will
receive regular reports as to the use of the ordinance in Iowa
City and the Department's observations of its effectiveness
and situational applicability.
A summary of activities to date is attached.
MICROFILMED BY
11. DORM- MICR4ILAB- J
CEDAR RAPIDS • DES MOINES
J
jj
f
;a
cirl or :OWA c:fY
NMI' OR11 NIVILL
';?LF.Ar?NG � RdcffidRl'�
t
AUGII;I
1. liC!111rf11 -. .
a. The Police Department is r!aponsible for enforcement except
where specified utherwis!•.
I
b. vlhen in doubt, ask your commanding officer or department head!
Always use cr.mmon sense.
i
.i
Sec. Lxc.:pliunt,
i
I I
a. Before taking any enforcement ,fiction, review this section.
j
b. If you have a doubt, reter the question to your commanding
officer or department head for a written decision. The
department head will cuor•dinaLe with the legal staff, if
i
necessary, j
I
3. sec. 24.1-•1 Specific Activities Pruhibited.
a. Issue a verbal warning for the tirst violation. Log the warning.
A citation is issued on the wcomd nccurrenr-c fur same address
I or person.
��..- 141CROFIL14ED B1' I �/
JORM- "MICR#LAB'-
CEDAR RAPIDS • DES MINES J
L
4. Sec. _4.1 -ii t•hrsical 1nsU:nv, nts.
playing 1 r e is xpoi.F. .ioIt . parr.-,- or
;. Avii.al to L•e WWII on cni..;: ints only when ••eeeived from 10
Lpl. to 7 a.m. and cal ler should he info^med Lhat complaint must
be filed by complainant. issue vnroal warning.
C. Log your complaint. When second complaint in any eight (8) hour
period following the initial r,!,.ponse is received, request that
complainant tile compla.*nt. Police do riot file complaints for
this violation.
5. Sec. ^4.1-6 sound Lquipmrnt.and `ound Amplifying Equipment
a. "SLereo 'War." {Allen a "Still -VU W-11"' 1', boing conducted, contact
responsible party, discuss implication of failure to stop, log
complaint.
b. Parties.
I. When a complaint is received abIJUL stereos and/or loud
parties, use the provision or Section 24-48, Disorderly
House. Action can be Laken against local parties, even if
stereos arc not involved. The determining factor is the
level of noise :md .mnuyantc •.o neighbors. Cnntaet
1 MICROFILMED BY
JORM '-MICR6L AB'-
CEDAR RAPIDS DES M014ES 1
fI
Ml-
'r -
DRAFT k3
3 /.
responsible party, discu•;s implication of continued
comnlainls, log r_nr•;;rlaipr.
OaiSe COMIIIUe1, ,end/u:en •.o(.uUd cumplaint, issue
Ci Ldt 10't fur ui;or•dor•lV iv:use.
C. When ni•rulh is requi Td, rrl p,•I;o^ I•; Ih)trsiru and Inspection
Services.
d. All :they, circumstances.
Issue verbal warning; log complail:t; file citation ;f continues
or on receipt of another complaint.
Q . Housing and Rejection `;rrvir.es will initiate permit
applil:.ILitill prucedure by ident iIyiug the Iocatiun u a permit
request in relationshiop to noise sensitive areas and decibel
levels permitted for the specilied address for the hours
proposed for the event. Housing and inspection Services will
also disseminate informational packets and brochures to
applicant at the time the pruce:.s is initiaLad. Howevi!r, the
Police will sign off on all app;icatiuns, and after fees are
paid, the Police will receive an enfq.rcement copy of the permit
since enforcement would mosi. iikcly be during the night or late
shift or involve sections of :ho or;in..ulce rue Lricted to pulite
enforcement.
i I-01CROFILI4ED BY
JORM-MICRdLAO'- --_�---�
CEDAR RAPIDS DES MOINES
( tt
5M
;
- -7 -- -
DRAFT a3
6. Sec. 24.1-7
4
a. Several hand - held rleLers will he available for Measuring
vehicle noise.
b. Police will respond Lo couq;lainL, and stup vehicles when they
have reason to believe ve!u c I e is in violation of this
provision.
C. Vehicles will be tested with hand-held meter.
d. A warning ticket and notice to repair will be issued, unless
vehicle is repeat violator. For "repeats," citation will be
issued.
U. All warning tickets ind notices Lu repair will be lugged in the
Police Department and followed-up.
f. Police Department will send letter to all automobile repair
services and garages informing them of these requirements and
Police Department policies. Letter will also include
provisions of Section (d), re: modification of exhaust
systems.
7. Sec. 24.1-8 Animals.
MICROFILMED BY
1
JORM`�MICR(�LAB
CEDAR RAPIDS •DES MDI NES
i
1. ...._
0M
DI. FT n3
I. (irisLICOJn will be 01'f;!!LO(! by Lne Animal Cuntrol Division of
LI:P Puiite Dep.-rUnonL. When Anim,ri Control personnel are not
ay.tilable, usher Police per,unnel will respond.
2. A warning ticket and a pamphlet explaining the law will be
proviJer.i on the first comp 1;liIt. Lng the complaint. A
misclunu;urur' complaint will he issued nn subsequent, verified
cumplaints.
3. It should be noted that the definition of a barking r'.og is:
"Barkinn_Dog" or Dirrl ur'Dther Animal. A dog, bird or
uthur animal that hnr'k<, bays, crirs, Irnwls or emits any
M hot ::c;` cuntinuuu•;I; ,rndiur• inr.Pssantly for a period
of Lull (IU) minuLes ur barks intermittently for one-half
h) hum• Ur IIWre and the sound therelrum is plainly audible
across a residential real property boundary or within a
noise sensitive area.
This requires the animal control officer, police officer or the
citizen to be able to tesLity accordingly.
3. section 24.1-9 Commercial and Industrial Performance Standards
This section shall be enforced by the Department of Housing and
Inspection Services. if a complaint is received after normal working
hours, the Police Department ,rill Pelta the cua,plaint and
information to HIS for enfnrcemenL •r;iun.
�^
MICROFILMED BY �
i
I 1-1
-DORM--MICR#UA B--
CEDAR RAPIDS • DES MOINES
i. _ ..J
DRAFT N3 6
9. Sec. 24.1-10.
Primary
respunsibi 1 ity is delegated, under
Section 24.1-16(b), as
follows,
dl of whom will
be appointed nuise
control officers.
Sub- o-actioil (b):
1. Director
of UepartmenL
of Huucinti S Inspection Services: (1),
(2), (3),
(4),
(5), (6),
(7), (11), (10).
2. Inspector in ilepartment of 1101.11 ill'; & lnspei.tiun `ervices: (5).
3. Sworn PoliLa Officers: (5), (9)-
4, Animal Control Officers: (5), (9).
10. Sec. 24,1-11 Whenever departments purchase new vehicles or
mechanical equipment of any nature they shodld coordinate with the
Purchasing Agent to determine that "quiet" equipment is purchased,
consistent with financial limitations.
11. Sec. 24.1-11 Sound Variances.
This suction shall be administered by the Director of Housing
Inspection Services.
7 141CROFILMED BY —_
JORM—MICROLLAB—
.
CEDAR RAPIDS • DES I401YES
Iowa Department of Transportation
5268 NW 2nd Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50313 515/281-4265
April 22, 1983 Ref. No. 090.47
Hon. Mary C. Neuhauser, Mayor
City of Iowa City
Civic Center
410 E. Washington
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
Subject: Program Change in State Transit Assistance
Dear Mayor Neuhause n
On April 12, 1983, the Iowa State Transportation Commission adopted a
change in the procedures for the State Transit Assistance (STA) program.
These changes (outlined on the attached page) will be used for the fis-
cal year 1984 funding cycle.
The intent of this program change is to allow most transit managers to
j determine their own STA formula projects, methods -of -payment, and results.
i We believe that this will give transit systems a more flexible and certain
funding source. It will also allow the Public Transit Division staff to
dedicate more time to its primary mission - providing management and
technical assistance.
I am pleased to inform you that your transit system has qualified to de-
ternine its own STA formula projects for fiscal year 1984. (Note: This
change has already been outlined in your grant application material.)
Please review the criteria which has qualified your system to determine
its own projects. As you close fiscal year 1983 and begin fiscal year
1984, we ask you to review how your operating statistics compared with
those of fiscal year 1982. Declines in key formula -performance factors
(locally -determined income, passenger per cost, and revenue miles per
cost) could result in a return to the negotiation process for your sys-
tem. 'Neither your system nor the Public Transit Division wishes to see
that happen. Therefore, I am directing the district managers to work with
YOU so that you will be able to determine your likely status for fiscal
years 1984 and 1985.
In summary, we believe the program change is healthy and beneficial. It
represents a recognition by the department that public transit in Iowa
has come of age. I hope you share this feeling. If you have need of
specific technical and management assistance, please let me know or con-
tact your district manager. We will try to fulfill your need.
Sincerely,
Frank erkow, Deputy Director
Public Transit Division
FS:cn
Enclosure
cc: Gordon A. Sweitzer, Interim Director, Public Transit Division
Rob Forrest, Director, Office of Accounting
Don Breniman, Director, Office of Audits
Don Ward, Director, Advance Planning 8/U
r
141CR0EIE14ED BY
JORM -'MIC ROLAEI -�
CEDAR RAPIDS • DES 1401A[S I ,�
L J
I
April 12, 1983
STATE TRANSIT ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM CHANGE
BY IMPLEMENTING THIS CHANGE:
1.. No Administrative Rules Change in Necessary (provides for immediate
implementation).
2. No Major Re-education Effort is Required.
3. Program Complexity is Reduced for Most Systems.
i
4. Administrative Burdens for Most Systems and the Public Transit
Division is Reduced
i
i
* Transit systems are required to negotiate STA formula funds only if:
f
1. Their percentage of the formula allocation declines for two
consecutive years, and
2. They have at least two of the three formula factors decline
compared to ast year factors: Locally Determined Income, j
passengers per cost, and revenue miles per cost).
* All other systems would use the process outlined below:
(for FY'84, 26 of 33 transit systems)
1. Transit formula, systems are allocated STA funds through the performance
I
2. STA funds are received up front.
3. Transit managers devise their own projects.
4. Transit managers document the projects results for technology
sharing purposes at the end of the contract (three-page letter).
i
5. Project results would be available to the Commission, legislature,
other transit systems. j
6. The ultimate accountability and program incentives are contained
within the performance funding formula.
* All special projects funding is negotiated with the Public Transit
Division ($300,000 per year.
I
MICROFILMED BY
�.
r ' JORM-'MIC ROLAB _
% I CEDAR RAPIDS • DES 14O1YES i i
City of Iowa Cit,
MEMORANDUM
I l_`A`r
Date: April 26, 1983 /
l�
To: Neal Berlin, City Manager
From: Larry McGonagle, Transit Manager;
Re: Air Conditioner
Summer is approaching and that means Transit must begin repairing bus air
conditioners. Last year approximately $20,000 was spent repairing air
conditioners. This year Transit plans to spend a maximum of $30,000.
This is possible because we are presently spending less than was budgeted
for vehicle maintenance.
Unless we hear otherwise, $30,000 is the maximum that will be spent on
repairing air conditioners.
bdw2/13
i 111CRO110E1 DY
DORM -MIC R6C"AB--
r CEDAR RAPIDS DES MOINES
V1
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
Date: April 28, 1983
To: City Council
From: Bette Meisel, Senior Center Coordinator
Re: Update on Senior Center
Our Program Specialist, Lori Benz, has requested a year's leave of absence
beginning in August at the birth of her baby. We have advertised for a
replacement for her for this period. We also advertised for a person
interested in filling a VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) position
at the Senior Center.
Tom Walz of the School of Social Work applied for two VISTA positions. If
they are awarded to him, he will assign one to the Senior Center. The City
will select the person to fill the position but will be under no financial
obligation. , The person selected will be assigned the responsibility of
managing the Senior Center Post, the Host/Guide program and the Eldercraft
Shop. These are all ongoing Senior Center activities which could be
further developed and strengthened with sufficient staff attention. A
VISTA volunteer would provide us the opportunity to do this.
Attached you will also find three schedules of special programs at the
Senior Center. The first, Home Sweet Home is a series that recently
ended. The attendance at each succeeding workshop was larger than at the
last. The final meeting was a standing room only crowd of 70. The major
criticism was that the series was not longer and that the speakers had too
little time to give indepth presentations. And we were afraid we'd
overwhelm our audience!
second,The
has
averagedover 100�persons 5at�each eofnthe,
panel tiais ldiscussions. most over. Soltawas fr theld
specifically on Sunday afternoons so that families with an inflicted
member would be able to attend. The audiences were from all over Eastern
Iowa with some members taping programs for distant families.
The third, is our final portion of the AGES series. The first two
segments of this series were on photography and printmaking. This one is
on folk art. The classes started slowly but have grown so in popularity
that we have had a problem with over -enrollment in classes. Interestingly
enough it was the SEATS Director who mentioned that this series brought
out people to the Center they had never served before.
bdw4/17
Johnson Co.., ,ty Council of Govern its
r 410 EI, t� Irg c)nS[. bm ocy bwn 52240
Date: April 27, 1983
To: City Council and City Manager
From: Cheryl Mintle, Human Services Coordinator
Re: 1, Proposed New Agency Guidelines for City, Johnson County,
and United Way
Z• Results of Emergency Housing Needs Survey
3. Mid -Eastern Council On Chemical Abuse (MECCA) Request for
Funding
I 1• New Aaencv Guidelines: �
A draft of the New Agency Guidelines is attached. These were !
prepared in conjunction with United Way staff and volunteers and
would be used for future human service requests as well as in
reviewing the pending Red Cross request to the City's Aid to Agencies
Fund.
I
Z• Emeraencv Housing Survev:
I —
Results of an Emergency Housing Survey conducted by the Human Service
Office was distributed in last week's packet. United Way, Johnson
County, and the Ecumenical Consultation have been involved with the
City in researching the need for emergency shelter.
3. MECCA:
Background:
As you know MECCA requested $18,745 from the City of Iowa City Liquor
Profits for FY84. The Council, at its February 7th work session did
not approve this request, but indicated an interest in assisting
MECCA with their space needs.
Since the initial request was made the Directorship of MECCA has
changed. The new Director has initiated several administrative
changes and has more on the drawing board. The budget has been
entirely revamped - this new budget has been distributed to the
Council. Numerous cost saving and fund-raising methods have been
initiated, with space costs a major one of these. The Director, Art
Schut, has requested, in lieu of the $18,745 from Liquor Profits,
City assistance with MECCA's one-time space costs associated with
moving their Iowa City office to the Old United Terminal at the Iowa
City Airport.
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Need:
$800 per month ($650 rent, $150 utilities escrow) is being requested
for 12 months from 7-1-83 through 6-30-84, for a total request of
$9,600.
Currently MECCA is paying $1,022 per month rent plus 25 percent of
any property tax, insurance, and utility increases for their Johnson
County outreach office and main office space at 325 E. Washington.
These costs average out to approximately $14,500 for calendar year
1982.
MECCA also operates Voss House, a 24-hour per day residential
facility for adult male substance abusers. MECCA is in the process
of purchasing Voss House at 611 S. Clinton. (They have $23,000 left
to pay on the principal and an estimated $100,000 equity. However,
major repairs are needed to fully use that facility, $175,000 is
estimated to be needed to remodel the building to bring it up to
standard.
The new Director sees the move to the airport as a one year temporary
measure which will save money and will allow the agency a year to do
long-term planning to determine the least expensive solution to
their long-term physical plant needs. For instance, locating the
administrative offices and Voss House in the same facility could give
savings in terms of staff coverage, utilities, phone, etc.
Program Summary:
MECCA operates in Iowa, Cedar, and Washington counties, in addition
to Johnson County. They offer programs designed to facilitate a
change of direction for those who have alcohol or other drug
dependency.
Outpatient individual, group, and family counseling is available.
Voss ,House provides a semi -structured environment for recoverying
abusers who are working to develop a more successful lifestyle.
There is also an Elderly Outreach Project focusing on senior citizen
education, treatment, and rehabilitation.
In addition, the Prevention Unit offers workshops and presentations
related to Wellness, such a the health risk reduction program
provided to City employees this year in cooperation with the County
Health Department. Over 100 City employees were assessed. A
preventative curriculum has also been developed in cooperation with
County Health Department staff and is in place in 15 elementary and
three junior high schools in Iowa City.
I4ICROEILI4ED BY
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Twenty-four hour phone coverage is available for crisis intervention
as needed in addition to the above services.
1,706 - 60 minute units of service were given to Johnson County
clients and their families in FY82, two-thirds of these units were
provided to Iowa City residents.
Prooram Evaluation:
The only follow-up material available on MECCA is a study conducted
using a sample of 31 MECCA clients who had been out of treatment from
three months to one year. It was conducted in December of 1981. The
study found the following results when comparing pre- and post-
treatment statistics:
42% showed an increase in salary after treatment
39% showed an increase in educational level after treatment
Of the sample 89% had pre-treatment criminal involvement
10% had criminal involvement post-treatment.
The United Way of Johnson County Planning Division accepted MECCA as
a new agency to receive designated funding at their meeting April
5th, which is an indication of program quality and community
acceptance. Informal feedback on the agency from local
Professionals is positive.
Budget;
The new budget reflects a change from 24% administrative costs to 6%.
The new Director is using a program accounting system to break down
costs as accurately as possible.
The current Director's salary is $4,500 less than originally
budgeted for FY83 and about the same less for FY84.
The new Director has plans to generate more income. By improving the
client billing system he hopes to increase client fees by 75%. As
has been stated earlier, he applied and was successful in becoming a
new United Way agency. All cities and counties who receive liquor
revenues received a request for funding from MECCA for FY84.
dist
stancevcalls�nTh This showed at34%hsavingsclastcbillstem for Attachedlisga
chart of the Individual Units of Service per month and the service
cost, reflecting increasing service units provided and projected and
r 141CRDE1 L14ED BY
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decreasing cost per unit since the new Director's administrative
changes beginning December, FY83.
i
Summary;
i
Federal and state cuts have left this agency $40,000 short of what
they need to maintain service for FY84. The new administrative staff
appears to be doing everything possible to cut costs and increase
income to meet this crisis. Short-term City assistance is L.
recommended with rent assistance at a level considered appropriate
by Council. Whatever temporary funding can be provided would help
this ongoing agency stabilize operations until their facility j
planning and other changes can provide them increased income and
lowered costs.
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NEW AGENCY GUIDELINES
CONDITIONS OF ASSOCIATION
I. PREAMBLE
The United Way of Johnson County, the City of Iowa City, and
Johnson County believe in the principle that each person's worth as a
human being is in a large degree the responsibility of the community
itself. As funding bodies, we have a legitimate and overriding concern
for people, the problems they face, and the community's role in resolving
them. Accordingly, the chief goal of the United Way of Johnson County,
the City of Iowa City, and Johnson County is to provide the means by
which a cross section of citizens and agencies, governmental and volun-
tary, may join in a community -wide effort to deliver efficient human
service programs that target on current needs. To this end, the United
Way of Johnson County, the City of Iowa, and Johnson County has identi-
fied the following minimal criteria as "Conditions of Association" for
all who desire to join or to maintain their current affiliation with
United Way, Iowa City, and Johnson County.
II. SERVICE GOALS
A) The agency must be an organized tax exempt body which
addresses one or more of the human services goals out-
lined by the United Way of America Services Identifi-
cation System (UWASIS II). (See Attachment A).
B) The need for the agency's services (mission) have been
documented on the local level. (See Attachment B).
III. AGENCY MANAGEMENT
A) The agency must be managed by a responsible, active
volunteer Board of Directors which:
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I) Meets at least 4 times a year.
2) Represents the agency's geographical service area
with regard to such factors as race, sex, age and
economic status.
3) Assumes responsibility and accountability to the
public for the administration of the agency's program
through the creation and maintenance of Articles of
Incorporation and bylaws which comply with local,
state and federal regulations.
4) Has a viable committee structure and elected corporate
I
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officers.
B) The agency Board must have initiated action which definitively
discerns the role of each staff position.
IV. PUBLIC DISCLOSURE
A) The agency's books and financial records shall be open and
available on demand for examination by United Way, Iowa City, i
or Johnson County officials or any other responsible citizen
during the course of the normal work day.
B) The agency must comply with the Standards of Accounting and
Financial Reporting for Voluntary Health and Welfare Organi-
zation, as revised.
V. VOLUNTEERS/BOARD SUPPORT
A) The agency must elicit and maintain broad community support
for its mission through the effective use of volunteers.
B) The agency must have written internal evaluation procedures
which attempt to measure its ongoing effectiveness in meet-
ing community needs.
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VI. FUND RAISING (United Way Agencies only)
A) An agency shall not conduct independent fund raising
efforts in the United Way soliciation area nor shall
it permit its name to be identified with a fund raising
project of any kind without the written approval of
the Allocations/Agency Relations Committee. (See
details on enclosed Inclusiveness Policy Sheet C)
B) Agency board and staff members shall be willing to
I
render financial, volunteer, and resource support to
the annual United Way Campaign unless undo hardship
i -
would result to the agency and/or United Way as a re -
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sult of said participation. i
VIII. GENERAL INFORMATION I
A) An agency shall submit a copy of the following documents
to the appropriate funding body before admission into I
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the federation:
(1) Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws; (2) Personnel
i
Policies and Procedures; (3) Job Descriptions for all
Management Personnel; (4) A list of all funding sources
(public and private), complete with total dollar amounts,
activities and time frames funded, and copies of appro-
priate contracts; (5) A current Board Roster and Staff
Organization Chart; (6) A Program Need Narrative, com-
plete with demographic or other data which addresses the
agency's mission and purpose in the local community.
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IX. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
A) Agencies shall comply with all federal, state, and local
non-discrimination regulations pertaining to the employ-
ment of persons regardless of race, sex, religion, creed,
age or handicap.
X. AMENDMENTS
A) The United Way of Johnson County, City of Iowa, and
Johnson County reserves the right to modify these condi-
tions as events and time may warrant.
B) All amendments will be mailed to each agency within ten
days after their approval by the United Way Board of
Directors, Iowa City City Council, or Johnson County
Board of Supervisors.
i
ATTACHMENT A
i Goal I: Optimal Income Security and Economic Opportunity
i
iGoal II: Optimal Health
Goal III: Optimal Provision of Basic Material Needs
Goal IV: Optimal Opportunity for the Acquisition of Knowledge and Skills
Goal V: Optimal Environmental Quality
Goal VI: Optimal Individual and Collective Safety
Goal VII: Optimal Social Functioning
Goal VIII: Optimal Assurance of the Support and Effectiveness
of Services, through Organized Action
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ATTACHMENT B
1. Does not duplicate an existing service agency in service or
clients served.
2. The service could not be appropriately provided by another
existing agency.
3. The requestor has exhausted and explored every other funding
source available.
4. This request is the least expensive way and most effective
way to accomplish the program goals.
5. Incorporation of this service into an existing agency has
been explored and it is determined that such is not possible.
9
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MID -EASTERN REr:_'V7n ; ? " 1983
COUNCIL ON
CHEMICAL Substance Abuse Treatment Centers
ABUSE SERVING: CEDAR. IOWA, JOHNSON AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES mecca
:-
March 25, 1983
Mary Neuhauser
Mayor of Iowa City
410 E. Washington
Iowa City, IA 52240
Dear Mayor Neuhauser:
Enclosed please find the draft projected budget for fiscal year 1984. The
expense, income, and budget comparison with fiscal year 1983 are presented
on spread sheets. I want to emphasize that the fiscal year 1984 is a
"draft projected" budget; we will not be certain of Iowa Department of
Substance Abuse funding levels until June, 1983.
Please note that the expense portion of the budqet includes the following:
1) the establishment of an office in Cedar County; and providing a
50% Counselor and 20% Prevention Specialist for services in Cedar
County;
2). an overall reduction in operating costs (exclusive of personnel)
while increasing services and opening an office in Cedar County;
3) elimination of "bartered services" at Voss House more accurately
reflects the actual expenditures for Voss House services; this
alone results in an expense "increase" of slightly over $10,900.00
annually (offset by an increase in client fee income);
4) placing the Medical Director on a stipend for services rendered
with the understanding that this will enable billinq of third
parties for payment for services provided under the physician's
supervision;
5) the addition of a 50% Counselor for services to Johnson County
and Iowa City; requests for the provision of services exceed
current staff ability to respond to those requests;
61 a 3% cost of living to the staff salary scale;
7) budgeting all positions as filled for the entire fiscal year
rather than planning on temporary vacancies of any duration;
81 significant increases in health and hospitalization insurance
costs due to changes in employee characteristics necessitating
family rather than single coverage.
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3/25/83
Changes of note in income include:
1). maintenance level funding from the Iowa Department of Substance
Abuse;
21 funding from Cedar County to support the Cedar County office;
31 billing of the counties of residence of individuals not legal
residents of Johnson, Iowa and Cedar county on a regular and
consistent basis under Chapter 125 of the Iowa Code;
41 termination of the State Health Department grant for Health
Education Risk Reduction in January, 1984, resulting in a
50% loss of income;
51 increasing client -generated income by approximately 75% so that
client -generated income would produce 14.5% of all income in
FY'84 as compared to 9.9% of all intone in FY'83;
61 producing slightly over $41,000.00 in income from catchment area
cities and other sources.
Services provided would include:
11 prevention programs for all four counties served;
21 6;570 days residential care;
313,864 units of.individual and.family counseling;
41 1,400 untis of group counseling;
51 200 units of community awareness,
In general, M.E,C,C.A. is interested in providing the highest quality
and quantity of services for the least amount of expense. Fulfilling
this -goal involves at the minimum the following:
1) accurate budgeting, budget control, and financial management;
2). reduction of operating costs;
31 long-range planning for service delivery systems that maximize
service and attempt to minimize cost of service;
41 increased productivity;
51 consolidation of physical plants (particularly Voss House and
the outpatient office located in Iowa City).
Any assistance that the City of Iowa City can provice to help meet
service costs during Fiscal Year 1984 , would be greatly appreciated.
Pr
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_._. _ M,E,G,c,.R..._._ _.._ 6uv6eT_'.ComPARisarJ_-..-Fy.e3. Ac�.nv wi�w-1�RAF1' Pro�ccnor±. reit _—Fy�e4.-.
M.E.C.C,A. Salary Changes FY'83 to Draft FY'84 Budget
Total DRAFT projected increase FY'84 over FY'83 =
DETAIL of FY'84 Exoense over FY'83
3% cost of living adjustment to salary scale
Normal step progressions on salary scale determined by
longevity of employment (first 30 months of employment)
Merit increases (30 month employees)
Positions temporarily vacant during FY'83
budgeted with no vacant periods for FY'84
Salary cook at Voss House $6,6U.00
Salary relief worker at Voss House 3,955.00
(eliminates $9,000.00 in "bartered"
client fees plus $1,906.00 in contract
labor = $10,906.00)
Sub -Total
NEW POSITIONS
$52,198.00
8,451.00
6.504.00
3,295.00
6,465.00
10,622.00
$35,337.00
Increase Prevention Specialist to full-time (+.25 FTE) 3,786.00
Add 1.0 FTE Counselor for services to Cedar and Johnson
Counties (client fee income increase of $4,675,00) 13,075.00
Sub -Total $16,861.00
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M.E.C.C.A. Personnel Cost Chances FY'83 to Draft FY'84 Budget
Total DRAFT projected increase FY'84 over FY'83 =
Detail of FY'84 expense over FY'83
F.I.C.A.
Life Insurance
Unemployment Insurance (project increase
to 1% rate from 0.5% rate)
3% retirement for 2+ year employees
Blue Cross/Blue Shield
(Consequences of January '83 rate increase
of 37%; projected January '84 rate increase of 25%;
employee changes from single to family coverage (1)
and from coverage through spouse to self coverage
(3) )
Rates excluding employees 10% contribution
single rate = $ 938.00 annual
family rate = $2,382.d0 annual
TOTAL
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$19,142.00
3,501.00
191.00
1,646.00
3,039.00
10,765.00
$19,142.00
8/S
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IOWA CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY r— AGENDA ITEM IX-A
THIRD QUARTER REPORT - FY83
WITH STATISTICAL SUM61ARIES
Fiscal Year Objectives:
1. Continue library services to 65 percent of Iowa City residents by reducing
in-building user/staff ratios to 12,000 users per one FTE staff member,
limiting circulation to an average 160 items checked out per hour open, and
holding the ratio of information staff to questions handled to 17,000.
2. Maintain the library's collections by acquiring at least one new or
replacement item for every 40 circulated.
3. Sustain the current level of volunteer hours, gift materials added and
private funds received to augment basic tax support.
4. Complete the first cycle of a systematic planning process to assess community
priorities as the basis for annual budget proposal for FY84.
Work Completed:
I. With an estimated 34,500 registered borrowers living in Iowa City, over 68%
of Iowa City residents are now cardholders. The number of items checked out
is up 10% over the first nine months of FY82 (19% in the third quarter).
People entering the building is up 11% (third quarter: 24%). In
services are up 15% (third quarter: 23%).
2. Over 9200 items were added to the collection during the first nine months of
i FY83. This is one item for every 42.8 circulated - not enough to maintain the
collection. Despite healthy increases in funds for library materials during
the last two years, use of the collection continues to grow at a faster rate
than new, gift or rebound items can be added.
3. While volunteer hours are down over a year ago, they are ahead of the
estimate for FY83. We are averaging 93 hours per week - the equivalent of 2.3
full-time people. The number of gift books and records received is also down
I slightly, but is offset by a large increase in the number of new items added.
In addition to the $20,000 in gift money added to the regular materials
budget, over $4300 in gift funds has been spent so far this year on special
collection projects.
4. Six sub-committees worked throughout the third quarter developing goals and
objectives for all functions of the library. The fourth quarter will be
spent setting priorities and writing the final report.
Performance Measures:
FY81 FY82 FY83 FY83
(goal). (9 mos.)
I.A. % IC residents who are 46.2 65.0 65 68.6 (est.)
registered borrowers
B. # people entering the building: 278,840 414,000 342,098
per hour open 93.9 135.4 144.6
per FTE staff 9,142 12,950 12,000 13,220
C. Circulation (Avg. # 146.4 162.0 160.0 167.8
items per hour)
0. Questions per FTE staff 14,849 18,982 17,000 19,627
assigned to Info. Desk
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E. Meetings by non ~'•ary groups 69 798 1' 800 712
2. Circulation per item added to 42.0 43.0 40.0 42.8
collection
3.A. % of acquisitions which are gifts 13.7% 13.6% 15.0% 12.3%
B. % total acquisition budget from 19.2 23.7 20.0 21.0 (est.)
grants and gift funds
C. Volunteer hours 2,130' 5,138 4,240 3,568
N volunteer hours per FTE staff 69.8 199 160 179.5
4. Have planning results available to apply to FY84 budget process.
*Does not include 4300 hours for move to new building.
Division Analysis:
Use of the library continues to expand, with several measures up 18-25% in the
third quarter. New daily and monthly highs for circulation were set in March.
This level of continued growth makes both adjusting to current circumstances and
planning for five years difficult. The public is delighted with the library and
asking for new or expanded services faster than we can evaluate present ones.
Expenditures Budget Year -to -Date %
6000 670,747 482,703 71.9
7000 19,165 20,106 104.9
8000 161,035 103,775 64.4
9000 98,400 75,974 77.2
Total 949,347 682,558 71.9
n
rreHawkeye""
Cabl¢Visio
TO: CITY MANAGER's OFFICE
FROM: KAREN KALERGISAC y
RE: ATTACHED LETTER TO LEISA FEARING
Please see to it that the enclosed letter is included in the Council's
packet of material. It is in response to a letter written to Hawkeye on April 14th
and copied to the Councilors individually.
Thank you.
P.O. Box 4500
546 Southgate Avenue
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
319-351-3984
A subsidiary of American Television & Communications Corp.
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917.
OHawkeye
Cabl¢�Tisio
April 22, 1983
Leisa Fearing
605 Manor Drive
Iowa City IA 52240
Dear Leisa,
I'd like to take this opportunity to address the issues you raised in your letter
of April 14th.
Your main concern was that the PVOM you scheduled for April 9th was not available
the day of the shoot. Since I had personally scheduled the equipment for you and worked
with our Community Programming Grant Committee in awarding you the funds needed for the
program, I am fully aware of what the absence of this unit meant to you and your
production. I cannot give you a good reason why the PVOM or its replacement was not
on hand because there is no acceptable one. The system set up to rent a backup unit
when our own is not available was not carried out. This can only be attributable to
human oversight on the part of our staff. As I am ultimately responsible for the
j Programming Department, I extend our apologies to you and assure you that since that
occurrence, I. have carefully traced what happened in order to ensure that it does not
f happen again. Unfortunately, since you were the one who discovered this missing link
in the chain of operations, you have had to put in extra work on the program. I hope
our willingness to extend ourselves and our editing hours to assist you in this needed
postproduction stage will give you a program you're pleased with.
You also mentioned that there have been other PVOM shoots where the PVOM was not .
available. Actually, during the three week period where the unit was scheduled to be out
for repairs, only one community program, coverage of a live City Council, did not utilize
the two -camera switching capability of the PVOM. However, given the ingenuity of the
City's Don Bailey, the shoot did continue as a two camera production, using ancillary
equipment in the PVOM and Don's ability to "make an electrical connection out of a
potato" to pull it off. Because we were able to plan the downtime on the PVOM, we were
able to rent a switcher for the other two shoots scheduled during the three week period.
This proves, I believe, that our backup system works; the only casualties for'the PVOM
came in the same weekend as yours did, again due to the staff oversight.
The February PVOM workshop, in fact, was cancelled because only one of the six people
showed up. Because we have been having a problem with "no shows" for workshops, we
thought it best to reschedule the March workshop to when our own switcher would be back
in the system rather than renting one, not knowing if enough people would show up. All
those registered for the March workshop were called well in advance and rescheduled for
April; only two of the six showed up on that date. This problem has prompted us to
seriously consider charging a five dollar deposit for workshoppers which would be
refunded when the participant shows up on time or calls well in advance to cancel his or
her spot. This is necessary as the demand for the equipment does not accomodate
scheduling equipment for workshops which will not be attended.
P.O. Boz 4500
546 Southgate Avenue
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
319-351-3984
A subsidiary of American Television & Communications Corp.
817
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Again, I'd like to offer my apologies for the problems you encountered on your shoot.
Yours is a program that I'm confident will be of interest to many Iowa Citians, indeed,
it is just the kind of program that community programming and our grants embrace:
I trust that you'll produce a worthwhile program with all the extra effort you've had
to put in and that this situation is one we can learn from and be sure that it does not
happen again.
Before I close, I'd like to thank you for your compliments on our staff person, Sandra
Terzis. Often, in the rush of things, our staff is often not recognized by the
community for the extra effort they put in all the time. Your recognition of this is
appreciated!
And thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and experiences. I'm certain
they'll be incorporated into our general operations so that community programming
will continue to fluorish in the Iowa City area.
I
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� Sinc rely,
i n Kalergis
Director of
Community Programming
i
CC: Bill Blough, General Manager
City Councilors
Drew Shaffer, Broadband Telecommunications Specialist
William Terry, BTC Chairman
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BAM-Magistrate
Court (Chambers)
9AM-Emergency
Housing Meeting
(Conf Room)
4:30PM-Informal
Council (Conf Rm)
7P&ZP(Conf Room)
T
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10.30"" Ground
breaking ceremony
aff Meeting
at transit facilit
Room)
site
12noon-CCN (Public
Library)
1:30PM-Council of
8:30AM-Housing Bd. 10AM-Staff Meeting
RAM -Magistrate
Court (Chambers) of Appeals (Conf (Conf Room)
Room) 4:30 -Board of
4:30PM-Informal LOAM-Ia. Bldg Code Adjustment (Rm B,
Council (Conf Rm) Advisory Council Rec Center)
7:30PM-Riverfront (Chambers) 7;30PM-CCN Public
Comm (Law Library 7:30PM-Council Hearing on CDBG
(Chambers) Funds (Chambers)
•30PM-Informal
Council (Conf Rm)
•30PM-Informal
P&Z (Conf Room)
01.1
,•30PM-Informal
Council (Conf Rm)
':30PM-Human Right
Comm (Conf Room)
)o
RAM -Magistrate
Court (Chambers)
7P&2P(ConfoRoom)
7:30PM-Council
(Conf Room)
TH
BAM-Magistrate
Court (Chambers)
7:30PM-Formal P&Z
(Chambers)
Court (Chambers)
7.30PM-Airport
Comm (Cont Room)
ng BAM-Magistrate
Court (Chambers)
1:30PM-Senior Ctr
Comm (Senior Ctr)
aff Meeting BAM-Magistrate
Room) Court (Chambers)
4PM-Library Board
(Library Conf Rm)
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