HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-10-26 Info PacketI
City of Iowa Cir
MEMORANDUM
Date: October 22, 1981
To: City Council
From: Doug Boothroy, Senior Planne
&�
Re: Recommendations from the Planning & Zoning Commission
The Planning & Zoning Commission at a regular meeting held October 15,
1981, made the following two recommendations:
1. Z-8107. That the application submitted by Plum Grove Acres, Inc. for
the rezoning of a 7.3 acre tract of land, with the north portion of
the property to be rezoned from RIA to R3 and the south portion of
the property from RIA to RIB, located at the southeast corner of
Scott Boulevard and Court Street be approved.
2. Z-8108. That the application submitted by University Baptist Church
oar tTe rezoning of a 4 acre tract of land from RIA to R3 located at
the northeast corner of Westgate and Benton Streets be approved.
The staff reports dated October 15, 1981 concerning both of these items
have been included in the Council's packet. Staff will be present at the
informal meeting to discuss these two applications with the Council.
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STAFF REPORT
To: Planning & Zoning Commission
Prepared by: Pamela Myhre
Item: Z-8107. Southeast corner
Date: September 10, 1981
Scott Blvd. and
Court Street
GENERAL INFORMATION
Applicant:
Plum Grove Acres, Inc.
834 N. Johnson
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
Requested action:
Rezoning from R1A to R3.
Purpose:
To increase residential density
allowance.
Location:
Southeast corner - Scott Boulevard and
Court Street.
Size of lot:
7.32 acres.
I
Comprehensive Plan:
Residential with approximately h of
area at 2-8 DU/acre and 'h of area at 8-
16 OU/acre.
I Existing land use and zoning:
R1A - single family residence.
Surrounding land use and zoning:
North - C2, R3A (vacant).
South - RIA (vacant).
East - R1A (vacant).
West - R3A, R1B, single and multi-
family residential.
45 -day limitation period:
October 11, 1981.
Physical characteristics:
Currently undeveloped; gently to
moderately sloping.
ANALYSIS
The applicant requests the rezoning
of a 7.32 acre undeveloped tract of land
located on the southeast corner of
Court Street and Scott Boulevard from R1A to
R3. This action would increase the
residential density allowance from four (4)
dwelling units per acre to fourteen (14) dwelling units per acre. Rezoning
would mean that up to eight (8)
single-family residences or fourteen (14)
multifamily units could be built per
acre on this property.
While the area is predominantly
single-family residential, an R3A zone is
located directly to the west of this
property and contains both apartments and
condominiums. To the north, while
still undeveloped, property is zoned C2 and
R3A.
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In considering a rezoning request, in this case for undeveloped land on the
fringe of residential development, it is essential to review the Comprehensive
Plan's determination of appropriate land use for this area. Other considera-
tions include the realignment of Scott Boulevard (placing it to the east of the
property in question) and the extension of a trunk sewer line to service this
area.
The Comprehensive Plan designated the area of Court Street and Scott Boulevard
as an area of mixed land uses, including a neighborhood commercial center. With
a trunk sewer line available and the Scott Boulevard improvements alleviating
additional traffic, the area will be able to support both commercial and
residential development. The Plan shows the applicant's property as only
partially within the higher density area, with dwelling unit density in the
request area varying from two to. sixteen units per acre In accord with the
Comprehensive Plan, the intent seems to be that of integrating the area with
single, two-family and multi -family units, but in a manner which provides a
transition in land uses with multiple family residences opposing existing R3A
development to the west and future commercial and multiple -family residences to
the north. The applicant's request is not consistent with this intent as the
southern portion of the property, if rezoned, would oppose existing single-
family residences without the benefit of the type of land use transition
envisioned by the plan. Therefore, the staff favors rezoning only the northern
portion of the request area to R3 to a tract depth equal to the R3A zone boundary
directly west. The southern portion of the property should remain zoned single
family residential.
The northern portion of the request area is suited for the higher R3 density as
its location near the future intersection of two arterial streets will provide
accessibility for the residents and serve as a transitional area between the
surrounding commercial and lower density residential areas.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the rezoning request be denied. If the applicant amends
his request to be consistent with the concerns discussed above, the staff would
recommend in favor of that request.
ATTACHMENTS
I. Location map.
Comprehensive Plan Map.
3. Legal description.
Approved by:
uu 1a acnTelser, uirector
D partment of Planning and
Program Development
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Locotion l77aP
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N8902811111W
445.11'
LEGAL DESCRIPTION
Commencing at the Northwest Corner of Section 18, Township 79 North, Range 5 West
of the Fifth Principal Meridian; Thence S00043139"E, 35.00 feet; Thence N88030113"E,
5.00 feet to the Point—of—Beginning; Thence N8803011311E, 445.03 feet; Thence
500043139"E, 724.22 feet; Thence N89028111"W, 445.11 feet; Thence N0004313911W,
708.48 feet to the Point—of—Beginning. Said tract of land containing 7.32 acres
more or less.
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To: Planning & Zoning Commission
Item: Z-8108. University Baptist
Church
GENERAL INFORMATION
Applicant:
Requested action:
Purpose:
Location:
Size:
Existing land use and zoning:
Surrounding land use and zoning:
Comprehensive Plan:
Applicable regulations:
45 -day Limitation Period:
SPECIAL INFORMATION
Public utilities:
Public service:
STAFF REPORT
Prepared by: Pat Keller
Date: October 1, 1981
University Baptist Church
1850 West Benton Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
Approval of a rezoning from R1A
(single family) to R3 (multi-
family).
To rezone two parcels for multi-
family use.
Two parcels of land located at
the northeast corner of the
intersection of West Benton j
Street and Westgate Street.
Approximately 4 acres.
.Church, parking lot, and RIA.
North - Multi -family and R3.
South - Single family and RIB. 1
East - Church, duplexes, multi-
family,' single family and
R3A.
West - Single family, duplexes,
undeveloped (private open
space) and R3.
The area is designated for a
density of 8-16 dwelling units
per acre.
Provisions of the Zoning
Ordinance.
October 29, 1981.
Adequate sewer and water service
are available.
Sanitation service and police
and fire protection are
available.
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Public transportation:
Physical characteristics:
ANALYSIS
Vehicular access would be
provided from Westgate Street.
The topography is rolling to
moderately steep with slopes of
from 5%-15%.
A development density of between eight to sixteen dwelling units per acre
is designated for this area by the City's Comprehensive Plan and intended
to be zoned to permit medium density single family and low density multi-
family residential uses. The types of uses which this rezoning would
permit is consistent with the Comprehensive Plana
The existing infrastructure is adequate to serve any potential multi-
family development. The property fronts Westgate Street, a collector
street, and Benton Street, a major arterial. Westgate Street is
constructed to a pavement width of 36 feet. This width provides parking
on both sides and two traffic lanes. Adequate sewer and water service are
available.
There are two existing zones, R2 and R3, which can be applied to implement
the Comprehensive Plan. In a previous request to rezone the north portion
of this property, the applicant stated that a reasonable return on the
property cannot be expected of zones R2, RIA, or R1B because the
development costs of the property would exceed the market value. Even
though the.allowable density of the development for R2 and R3 is the same,
an important distinction in terms of development costs will result. If
the parcels are developed under an R1 or R2 zoning classification, each
building must be located on its own lot. If the property were developed
in a RIA, R1B or R2 zone then an interior street would have to be
constructed due to the land configuration. The cost of street
construction could make development of the parcels economically
infeasible. The R3 zoning will provide the owner the flexibility of
developing his or her property to a higher density without the expense of
providing a public street. Under an R3 zone more than one building may be
located on a lot as long as the buildings are separated by a horizontal
distance that is equal to the height of the highest building. The use of a
Planned Area Development Plan for provision of private streets is also an
alternative.
The subject rezoning would allow uses which are generally compatible with
adjacent uses. Multi -family uses are located.both to the north and to the
east, private open space opposes the northern end of the subject property
across Westgate Street to the west. The predominant use fronting Westgate
Street is duplex with the exception being Westgate Circle where single
family dwellings face the church across Westgate Street. All of these
existing uses were developed in an area which was zoned R3.
One of the issues raised with the previous application to rezone this
property was the existing flooding problem in the downstream area. It has
been determined that the amount of stormwater runoff which could be
controlled on this site is negligible in regard to ameleorating the
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downstream flooding problem. The area of the site from which stormwater
runoff is contributing, will be nominal compared to that of the entire
watershed.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends approval of this rezoning from RIA to R3.
ATTACHMENT
Location map.
ACCOMPANIMENT
None.
Approved by
Program Development .
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Subject Property
for
Rezoning
L.,.
Z-8108
Location Map
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Subject Property
for
Rezoning
Z-8108
Location Map
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Johnson County Council of Governments
Ir Ir
ago
Date: October 14, 1981
To: City Council and City Manager
From: Jeff Davidson, Assistant Transportation Planner `t
Re: Bicycles Through the Downtown Transit Interchange
To define the problem which has been brought to the Council's
attention, there is currently no way for bicyclists to safely and
legally cross the Central Business District in a westbound
direction. A study last April established that the Market/Jefferson
one-way pair bike lanes are too far north to serve most bicyclists;
most bicyclists have origins and destinations along routes which
take them through the CBD. There is no problem for eastbound
bicyclists because they can use Washington Street to cross the CBD.
Westbound bicyclists cannot use this route since Washington is a one-
way street.
The majority of bicyclists approaching the CBD in a westbound
direction use Iowa Avenue, although College and Washington Streets
are also heavily used. Because of the various street closures, new
buildings, and one-way streets, the problem occurs when a westbound
bicyclist reaches Clinton Street. To safely and legally get to
Madison Street from Clinton Street, a bicyclist must either detour. as
far south as Court Street or as far north as Market Street. What is
in fact occurring is that great numbers of bicyclists are presently
using the transit interchange to travel westbound, although this is
clearly illegal. The street is for buses only and the sidewalk for
pedestrians only. The use of the interchange by bicyclists is
further encouraged by the major bicycle parking facility recently
constructed by the University adjacent to this area.
I have discussed this matter with Traffic Engineer Jim Brachtel and
Transit Manager Hugh Mose, and they both feel that a solution can be
worked out permitting bicyclists to use the Transit Interchange in a
westbound direction. Jim has indicated that upon concurrence from
the City Council, he would erect an additional sign at the east end
of the Transit Interchange proclaiming "BICYCLES AND" which would be
added to the existing "BUSES ONLY" on the "DO NOT ENTER" sign. Jim
feels that this action will provide relief to a high number of
innocent lawbreakers, and reduce the number of pedestrian- bicycle
conflicts on the sidewalk along the Pentacrest. Hugh has some
reservations about this idea, but agrees that it is probably .a
necessary action. He does not feel that conflicts between buses and
bicycles will be a problem, but has a healthy concern that unforeseen
problems could develop. Hugh admits, however, that there are
presently a great number of bicyclists using the interchange in a
westbound direction, and they do not seem to be creating any great
problems.
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I would impress upon you that I do not consider this to be an ideal
solution; I consider it to be the best answer to a difficult problem
for which an ideal solution is not possible. It will be able to be
implemented at very little cost, and is consistent with the City's
policy of encouraging the use of the bicycle for transportation.
I will be glad to discuss this matter with you further.
cc: Jim Brachtel
Hugh Mose
Don Schmeiser
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City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
DATE: October 21, 1981
TO: City Council and City Manager
FROM: Robert 14. Jansen j? W 2 ,
RE: Bicycles through the downtown transit interchange
I have been asked to give my opinion concerning the proposal to per-
mit bicycles to use the interchange in the westbound direction. As
you know, the westbound lane of Washington Street between Clinton and
Madison Streets is closed to all traffic except buses. It is my opinion
that if the use of the interchange by bicyclists is legally sanctioned
by the City, the City could incur substantial legal liability in the
event of injury or death to a bicyclist.
At,the present time any bicyclists who enter the interchange which is
restricted to bus traffic only assumes the risk of any injury that
might be sustained. Opening up the interchange to bicyclists will al-
most certainly invite lawsuits if the bicyclist is struck by a bus
pulling into the traffic lanes after loading and unloading. The claim
will be that since the City permitted bike traffic through the area,
the drivers were negligent in that they knew or should have known of
the presence of bikes in the interchange and had a duty to look out for
them at all times.
In addition, I am not sure if the buses are equipped with mirrors that
have been sufficiently designed to enable a driver to spot a bike at all
angles to the bus. If the buses are not so equipped, then the claim will
be that the City was negligent in not equipping the buses with mirrors
that would enable the drivers to see bikes along side or whatever angle
that could cause a collision. Obviously, a bicycle along side a bus is
more difficult to see than is a car or truck.
The fact that bicyclists are now illegally using the interchange does
not completely absolve the City and its drivers from liability should a
bus strike a bicycle that is in plain sight. However, the duty to keep
a lookout is much less in the present situation than it would be if the
City were to permit and thereby sanction the use of the interchange by
bicyclists. In that case, the City then has a high duty to provide safe
conditions for bicyclists wishing to pass through the interchange. In
researching this question I have been unable to find any Iowa Supreme Court
cases that spell out the duty that a City owes to bicyclists under these
conditions. However, in the case of Bauman v City of Waverly 164 NW 2d
840(Iowa 1969) the City of Waverly provided a public restroom for the use
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Ci Council and City Manager
Cc. jer 21, 1981
Page 2
of its citizens and a person was injured inside the public restroom.
The Iowa Supreme Court held that when the City of Plaverly undertook to
establish accomodations for the use of the public, it had a high duty
to keep the restroom in safe condition. Similarly, if the City of Iowa
City desires to open the interchange to bicyclists as an accomodation to
them, then it would be necessary to provide a bike lane and appropriate
signing to fulfill its high duty to provide a safe condition for the bikes.
Sec. 23-65 of the Iowa City Code provides, "Persons riding bicycles on a
roadway shall ride single file. Every person riding a'bicycle on a road-
way shall ride as near to the righthand side of the roadway as practicable
except for turning movements or where bike lanes so designate." It is my
understanding that there is bus loading and unloading in the righthand
lane of Washington Street. This section of the City Code would then have
to be amended to provide an exception for bicycles traveling through the
interchange since they would not be able to ride on the righthand side of
the street.
I will be available to discuss this opinion with the Council at the in-
formal session ori October 26th should there be any questions.
cc: John A. Lundell
Transportation Planner
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- City of Iowa C"y
MEMORANDUM
Date: October 19, 1981
To: City Manager and City Council
From: Jeff Davidson, Assistant Transportation Planner _i1__1
Hugh Mose, Transit Manager
Re: Better Utilization of Transit Service
For the past few weeks we have been working on a project to increase the
efficiency of Iowa City Transit. As you may already know, the North Dubuque
route is one of two routes which receive service once an hour. All other routes
except Wardway receive service twice an hour. In addition to this regular
service, there is also a special "tripper" service on the North Dubuque route
during the morning and evening rush hours. This results in the North Dubuque
route receiving twice per hour service during rush hours and once per hour
service the rest of the day.
The North Dubuque route has very low ridership; ridership is considerably lower
than every other route in the system except Wardway. A reason for this is that
the North Dubuque Route serves only two large residential areas: Forest View
Trailer Court and the Mayflower Apartments. Since University of Iowa CAMBUS has
recently begun serving the Mayflower, ridership,on the North Dubuque route has
decreased even further.
Concomitant with this drop in ridership on the North Dubuque route has been an
upsurge in ridership on the Lakeside route. In our study we found that during
the morning rush hour between 50-60 people per run are riding the Lakeside route
at the present time. Between 45-50 people per run are using this bus during the
evening rush hour. Our study also found that during the morning peak period
only 0-12 people are utilizing the North Dubuque tripper on any given run.
During the evening rush hour only 3-12 people are using this bus.
It is expected that with the onset of cold weather, ridership will increase on
the Lakeside route to the point where we'will be forced to begin passing people
by. On certain runs we are already nearly at capacity. With this occurring it
does not seem right to be running the North Dubuque tripper nearly empty. What
we propose is taking this tripper service off of the North Dubuque route and
putting it on the Lakeside route. This wi1T give much needed extra capacity to
the Lakeside route and enable many more persons to ride the bus than the present
arrangement does. Those few people who ride the North Dubuque tripper may be
inconvenienced somewhat, but they will still have the regular hourly North
Dubuque service to use.
In this time of financial constraint for the City, we feel strongly that the
type of change we have proposed makes a great deal of sense: a change that
involves no increase in cost but results in increased ridership and a more
efficient use of equipment.
Unless directed otherwise, we will proceed to notify the public, revise our
schedules, and implement this change effective with the start of the second
semester in mid-January.
cc: Don Schmeiser
John Lundell
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City of Iowa City
MEMORANUUM
Date: October 19, 1981
To: City C until
From: Cit)#�M�nager
Re: Conference of International City Management Association
Several weeks ago the Manager attended the annual conference of the
International City Management Association which was held in Anaheim,
California. Drew Shaffer and I arrived there on Thursday to make a presentation
for a cable TV workshop which was held for cities throughout the country. The
workshop was a sellout and was well received. Drew received many requests for
additional information about Iowa City activities. I spoke about the franchise
process and City cable operations while Drew spoke more directly to his
responsibilities and the development of community programming. There are now
over 100 hours of programming a week. There is a great deal of interest in cable
television and apparently many communities have had many problems in franchising
and developing programs.
On Monday afternoon, I traveled to Irvine; California, which is just outside of
Anaheim. Irvine is a totally planned community and is growing very rapidly.
There are a number of aspects of Irvine that are extremely interesting. Most
new housing is attached. There is virtually no detached single-family housing
being constructed. The community makes very effective use of landscape borders
separating housing from arterial streets. These are walls, landscaping, earth
berms, or a combination thereof. Neighborhood parks and recreation facilities
are conveniently located in all neighborhoods. The effluent from the wastewater
treatment plant is virtually all recycled, primarily for irrigation.
There was one major issue in the conference programs; i.e., there are going to
be significant changes in the services being provided by local government and
how they are provided. Significant reductions in both revenue sharing and block
grants to cities are anticipated. All cities are looking at the way in which
they are providing services and how these services can be provided more
efficiently. Generally, the idea is that there are many alternative ways of
providing satisfactory services and the City increasingly cannot meet all needs.
The City must become a broker, in the community for mobilizing a great variety of
resources so that needs can be met in other ways. For example, in some instances
greater citizen participation and awareness might prove more productive for
citizens than direct government assumption of responsibility.
bdw/sp
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CITY OF IOWA CITY
CHIC CENTER 410 E. WASHINGTON ST. IOWA CnY, IOWA 52240 (319) 356-5000
October 20, 1981
Mr. Tom Hoogerwerf, President
Chamber of Commerce
do Iowa -Illinois Gas & Electric Co.
1630 Lower Muscatine Road
Iowa City, IA 52240
Bear Tom:
Enclosed is a memorandum which provides responses to questions asked
in recent weeks by various committees of the Chamber of Commerce and
the Old Capitol Center merchants.
As I mentioned in a recent Chamber Board meeting, I think it would be
desirable for us to consider a way in which these inquiries could be
channeled through a single source. This change would insure that
when a decision is made, it represents consensus of the concerned
parties and would also reduce the amount of time devoted to such
efforts.
Many of the requests received by the City from the Chamber of
Commerce, Chamber committees, the Downtown Association, and the Old
Capitol Center merchants involve the expenditure of additional
public funds. I would think it would be appropriate for the Chamber
of Commerce to consider this issue in relationship to the Chamber's
usual position concerning the role of government and the expenditure
of public funds.
For example, in the past the Chamber has encouraged individual
merchants to clean the area in front of their store. Success in this
endeavor would greatly assist the City. Perhaps merchants talking to
other merchants who are creating problems or whose clients are the
offenders in destroying public property would also be of assistance.
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Mr. Tom Hoogerwerf, President
Chamber of Commerce
October 20, 1981
Page 2
Lastly, the Chamber members could give serious consideration to a
maintenance district which would provide a source of funding for many
of these changes or additions that Chamber members would like. I
will be pleased to discuss this matter with you, the Chamber Board
and the various committees at your convenience.
Sincer yrs,
1 W7'/
Neal G. rlin
City Manager
be/sp
cc: Jay Honohan
Dave Holcomb
Tom Gelman
Thomas Summy
Dale Helling
Keith Kafer
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City of Iowa C, y
MEMORANDUM
Date: October 20, 1981
To: Chamber of Commerce
Downtown Association
Old Capitol Center Merchants
From: Neal G. Berlin, City Manager
Re: Central Business District Issues
Recently various concerns have been expressed about the central
business district by the Downtown Association, Chamber of Commerce
Committees and Old Capitol Center merchants. While you may not be
interested in every item, all of the questions and responses are
included below. If you wish to review any issue, I or a staff member
will be pleased to meet at your convenience.
1. Is there sufficient walking police patrol?
The Police Chief documented the actual time spent in a three
week period in order to determine the adequacy of the service.
One officer patrols from 11 AM to about 3 PM; two officers from
3 PM to 11 PM and two officers from 11 PM to 2:30 AM. These
patrols will continue unless an emergency dictates other
assignments, or until weather conditions limit plaza and
downtown pedestrian use.
2. The light under the playground equipment needs to be repaired.
It has been repaired.
3. Is trash collected on Sunday?
Yes, by Parks & Recreation employees.
4. Sunday bus service should be investigated.
A memorandum is attached. Sunday bus service is not
recommended. Even if Saturday service is eliminated, Sunday
service would cost an additional $700 per week.
5. Several curbs have sheared.
Ames Engineering and Metro Pavers will complete the repair work,
to be coordinated by the Engineering Division by November 15.
6. There needs to be more frequent trash pick-up.
There is daily pickup. The Public Works and Parks & Recreation
Departments are checking the adequacy. More frequent service
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will be provided if necessary. If you are aware of problems,
give me a call.
7. What are the alternatives for reconstructing the sidewalk on
the north side of Old Capitol Center?
Any changes in the sidewalk will be expensive and based on our
observations, there are other City projects which deserve
funding before this change. Also we do not believe that the
problem is severe enough to justify the expense of
reconstruction. The alternatives are:
a) Remove eastbound private auto traffic from the area. This
should allow the sidewalk to be widened an additional five
feet without disturbing bus operations.
b) Quit using island for bus boarding; move eastbound traffic
over against island and widen sidewalk as necessary.
Abandoning the island will be a "moral" defeat for the
transit interchange, and will eliminate two westbound bus
bays. This could be accommodated at the present time but
would really limit future expansion potential.
c) Remove the island and reconstruct it five feet north of its
present location. Widen sidewalk five feet. This will be
very expensive, but will cause the least disruption to
present transit and traffic operations.
d) Remove island altogether; widen sidewalk about 25 feet;
place shelters, benches, trees, etc. in plaza area created
by the extremely wide sidewalk. This will be the most
expensive alternative, and will cause future problems if
expansion is desired. However, the shelters on the island
could be salvaged, and the waiting area for transit
patrons in front of "Gifted" could be maximized.
8. The drain holes in the bike rack area do not work.
The removal of a couple of bricks and the construction of a
small concrete channel to the curb will correct the problem.
These changes will be made.
9. There are complaints about inadequate lighting on Washington
Street between Clinton and Van Buren.
The lighting level could be increased with the use of higher
poles ($980 each) and new luminaires ($350 each), total cost
$41,230. At the time these lights were installed there was a
great deal of discussion and concern about over -lighting.
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10.
Plan extra street sweeping on football weekends. !
It is being done. The streetsweeper sweeps the central; business
district both early Saturday and Sunday mornings onifootball
weekends.
11.
The windows in the parking ramps need to be cleaned.
See answer to Question N23 below.
12.
The halls in the parking ramps do not seem to bd, cleaned
frequently enough.
See answer to Question N23 below.
13.
Glue from various stickers applied to the parking ramp windows
I
I
has not been cleaned off.
j
Epoxy glue was used for the Park N' Shop signs to prevent theft.
All signs were stolen. There was a question as to whether the
signs would be replaced. Now that it has been determined that j
the signs will not be replaced, the glue has been removed.
14.
Coordinate with the merchants to install various Park & Shop and
Ride & Shop program decals.
To date the City of Iowa City has spent $450 on signs to promote
`
Park 'N Shop. These signs were erected in January 1981 as a
joint venture between the City of Iowa City and the Downtown
i
Merchants Association. It was agreed at that time that the City
would pay for the purchase of the signs and the installation and
the Downtown Association would match the funds spent in
advertising. To date has the Downtown Association spent any
money to match the money spent by the City? In addition to
this, the City of Iowa City is paying extra to have Park 'N Shop
information printed on each ticket dispensed at the parking
ramp. Is only the City of Iowa City promoting the Park 'N Shop
program?
15.
The elevators are trashed periodically and not cleaned
frequently enough.
See answer to Question M23 below.
16.
Additional signs should be installed in the central business
district indicating entrances to the parking ramps.
Signs have been installed in various locations. When the
various Chamber of Commerce Committees, the Downtown
Association and the Old Capitol Center Merchants Association
reach a consensus, if additional signs are required and where
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signs should be installed, the City will respond, if
financially acceptable.
17. The blockade of the Clinton Street entrance to the Capitol
Street parking ramp needs to be revised to reduce confusion;
additional barriers and plantings might be desirable. In
addition, motorcycles go in and out of the parking ramp without
paying.
The City does not desire to permanently barricade the Clinton
Street entrance to the Capitol Street parking ramp at this time.
Because of the curb cut there is no way to eliminate motorcycles
entering and exiting the ramp from Clinton Street without
denying pedestrian access. A temporary asphalt curb could be
built in the unused traffic lane and filled with dirt and
plantings. This would eliminate confusion on the part of the
driving public and also eliminate access to the ramp by
motorcycles. This will be investigated.
18. What about changing the time for the 504 charge from 8:00 AM to
7:00 AM? This would eliminate the 50C charge for employees and
merchants coming into the shopping mall at approximately
8:00 AM.
The 506 overnight charge is being charged only from 10:00 PM
until 7:30 AM. Cashiers come on duty at 7:30 AM and charge only
29 for the one hour period from 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM when parkers
exit later in the day.
19. The entrance door from the Capitol Street corridor sticks.
The entrance door on the Capitol Street corridor is designed so
that it can be opened from either side if you are exiting from
the corridor. However, the north door must close first to make
the door open properly from the outside. We have attempted to
modify this door so that it will not jam if opened improperly
from the inside but we have had no success with this attempted
modification. Unless these doors are replaced by doors of a
different design, this will be a continuing problem.
20. Open the Linn Street exit on the Dubuque Street parking ramp.
The Linn Street exit in the Dubuque Street Parking Ramp was
installed only for the use of hotel guests. It was not designed
for general parking ramp operations. This exit was to be
controlled by a card or token exit gate. To install an exit
booth at this exit would cost the City approximately $20,000
plus the cost of two full-time employees to operate the booth.
In addition, the proximity of the entrance/exit to Linn Street
makes its use undesirable for general operations. The use of
this exit for general operations is not recommended.
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21. Signing inside of the Linn Street parking ramp does not seem to
be adequate. Have all new signs been installed and are the
directional signs clear?
All ordered signs have been received and installed in the
Dubuque Street parking ramp. A check with the cashiers was made
the week of September 11 and they reported that they are no
longer receiving complaints that the ramp is not adequately
signed. If there is still a problem, let me know.
22. What can be done in the Capitol Street ramp and what will it
cost to build stairs or a "stile" to assist pedestrians on the
first floor level to get to the first floor elevator? Because
there are no stairs, pedestrians crawl over the wires and walk
into traffic areas.
Substantial structural alterations would be required to install
stairs. This will require outside engineering assistance. The
ramp is designed for the shopper to walk through the ramp to the
first level.
23. Check the trash containers in the parking ramp elevators.
Apparently, in late afternoons they are full.
This response also covers several previous questions.
At the present time the City of Iowa City is using 112 person -
hours per week to clean the Capitol and Dubuque Street parking
ramps. In addition to cleaning, maintenance workers are acting
as cashiers from 10:00 PM until 2:00 AM. This leaves them 64
person -hours per week to keep both ramps clean. The University
of Iowa operates three parking ramps containing a total of 1,500
spaces. They clean their ramps only Monday through Friday and
use a total of 160 person -hours during that time. We have nine
person -hours per night, they have 32. If we wish to keep the
ramps clean 24 hours per day we will have to hire people to work
24 hours per day. At the present time cleaning is completed by
7:00 AM and is only done on an emergency basis until 10:00 PM.
Present daytime staff does not have time to clean the ramp and
complete their other assigned job duties.
To keep our ramps cleaner we will have to do one of the
following: 1) hire night cashiers, 2) increase the number of
maintenance workers, 3) both 1 and 2. Option 2 is recommended.
This will allow the person to perform two job duties, as the
maintenance worker positions include "act as cashiers" in the
job description.
An additional Maintenance Worker I should be employed to work
from 1:00 PM until 10:00 PM. This person's job would be to
clean the lobbies and the elevators and the north stair tower
and to provide a level of security in the ramp itself.
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This person should work Monday through Friday when the Old
Capitol Center is open.
The 4/5ths time Maintenance Worker I working 10:00 PM to
7:00 AM should be made a full-time position.
A Maintenance Worker I should be hired to supplement the
10:00 PM to 7:00 AM shift. This would give us three workers 5
nights per week, four workers Wednesday night, and two workers
Monday night.
This would give us 112 person -hours per week from 10:00 PM until
7:00 AM and 40 hours of afternoon -evening cleaning per week. -
In addition to the extra personnel, the following equipment
should be purchased: a two speed scrubber/buffer, a janitor's
cart, and a trash cart.
r
I The estimated cost of these changes is $31,332 yearly. The
City will implement these changes, with City Council approval.
24. It might be desirable to post signs at appropriate locations
indicating the City's intent to prosecute individuals
vandalizing trees.
I
Our experience is that the damage occurs in the early morning
j hours generally when the bars close. There is no reason to
If! believe that under these circumstances that signs would
represent any deterrent.
j 25. Protect the trees with iron guards.
C Iron guards for only the Plaza would cost $125 each for a total
of $5,500, plus installation costs. Guards are an additional
invitation to attach bikes, dogs, etc. to the tree, thereby
increasing the potential for damage. Also, most of the previous
damage has been from the breaking off of branches and the tops
of trees.
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City of Iowa Ci—,
MEMORANDUM
Date: September 23, 1981
To: City Manager and City Council
From: Hugh Mose, Transit Manager
Re: Sunday Bus Service
In response to recent inquiries regarding the possibility of Sunday bus service,
the Transit Division and the Transportation Planning staff have prepared the
following analysis. The potential for Sunday bus service is addressed in terms
Of operations, cost, ridership and other considerations.
OPERATIONS
If Sunday bus service were to be operated, the most straight -forward arrangement
would be to run buses on all routesat one hour headways; schedules would be
similar to our present evening service,
seven buses. . This level of operation would require
If service were desired to cover both Sunday morning church hours and Sunday
afternoon shopping times, buses would need to be on the street about 8 hours
each Sunday. The first bus on each route should arrive downtown no later than
10:15 AM, and the last bus on each route should leave downtown no earlier than
5:00 PM. This would allow 8 or 9 trips on each bus route.
The provision of Sunday bus service would require the services of 7 bus drivers
for approximately A hours per Sunday. Also, we would need an office person to
dispatch the buses, answer the telephone,
's statistics
respond to emergencies, etc., and to part-time rpersoe the nsiinithe evous ening to clean,
wouldcneedn o be avaark 'ilableeto at the end of insure that the fulhe l omplidment of buses wasready
for service on Monday morning.
RIDERSHIP
anySundaybusher service transit
sail. Operationsreveals at whobuses on Sunday include
Champaign -Urbana Y few small cities have
California. Untilll earlier thissmon hstherenwere noo and
service, but recently Ames has begun limited campus operations on Sunday.
Ridership levels range from less than 3% to almost 33% of average weekday
patronage.
Analyzing Iowa City Transit ridership on Saturdays, it appears that ridership
overall averages about 19.0 passengers/bus-hour. This is with 30 minute
headways on all routes except one, 6:30 AM to 10:00 PM. Passenger totals range
from 2,500 per Saturday in August to 5,200 per Saturday . February
0
n Saturday night, ridership averages 11.0 passengers/bus-hour. This is with
hourly headways on all routes, 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM. Passenger totals range from
180 per Saturday night in August to 370 per Saturday ni ht '
9 In February.
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If it can be assumed that Sunday ridership potential is somewhere between
Saturday all day and Saturday nights, perhaps bus "productivity" would be about
15.0 passengers per bus hour. At this level Sunday ridership would be about 890
passengers per Sunday. Based on an estimated 10% of average weekday ridership,
Sunday service would generate about 750 passengers per week. Therefore,
apparently it is reasonable to assume that over an entire year ridership would
average approximately 800 riders per Sunday, varying from a low of 500 riders
per Sunday in the summer to 1000 or more riders during the winter months.
Our cash revenue on Saturdays is very low, averaging only 15.4 cents per rider.
This very low figure is due not only to the Saturday fare of 25¢, but also to the
large number of pass holders who are prepaid and the elderly and handicapped
persons who ride free all day. If we assume that Sunday revenue would follow the
same general trend, about 15 cents per passenger, additional cash revenue would
average about $120 per Sunday. Also, the availability of Sunday bus service may
encourage more people to buy monthly passes, and some additional revenue will be
generated in that manner.
COST
The marginal cost of bus service on Sunday will be relatively the same on an
hourly basis as our regular weekday operations, slightly under $22 per bus hour.
The cost breakdown is as follows:
Drivers' Wages ($6.75/hour + benefits) _ $ 499
Bus Maintenance (804/mile - includes fuel,
parts, mechanic's labor, etc) _ $ 591
Support Staff (dispatcher, maintenance
workers, extra driver on-call) _ $ 164
Miscellaneous supplies, utilities, etc. _ $ 50
TOTAL =
The fares projected for additional Sunday service will be perhaps $170 ($120 in
cash, plus an additional $50 in extra monthly pass sales). At this level, we
will cover 13% of our costs from the farebox.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Labor Considerations:
1. Bus drivers have mixed feelings about Sunday work. Although it is not an
attractive day to work, it will allow some drivers two days off in a row,
something they currently do not have.
2. Transit office employees, particularly those with families, are very upset
by the prospect of having to work Sundays.
3. The Transit mechanics feel that their Division is a 5 -day operation; they
are likely to insist on premium pay for Sunday work.
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4. Although the addition of Sunday service would reflect well on Iowa City
Transit, it is doubtful if the present organization and facilities can
handle the extra work.
Public Considerations:
1. Buses running once an hour will serve flexible -time trips (shopping,
library, etc.) best; fixed -time trips (church services, movies) will be
served less well. Work trips will be poorly served, except perhaps for
part-time employees in the downtown area.
us
2 Buses will there will be an average of four passengers on the passengers
ssatnany onertime,hour,
3. Any breakdowns on Sunday will impact our ability to put buses on the street
on Monday morning. With only three spare buses, we can ill afford to have
any major problems on Sunday.
4. Sunday bus service will be a community service, operated at a considerable
loss mainly to benefit those persons without access to d private auto. It
will be a source of pride for transit supporters, a cause for derision by
transit opponents.
RECOMMENDATION
At the present time the Transit Manager cannot recommend that Sunday bus service
be implemented. The limited potential for ridership, the high cost of providing
the service, and the possible negative effects on our overall operation seem to
greatly outweigh the potential benefits of Sunday service.
tp/sp
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S10702 )NGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENA.
Weber, an IDdependent•Republken from dome liberal -activist issues that touch the
Slayton, was one of the first of pule'$ six schools, such as AIDIMO ire Action and equal
Appointments o the state Board of Educe- access to athletics for women. She was Dom
tion, a nine -member body whose Impressive the sixth chiles In an Irish Workingmen's
name belles Its more nebulous function family In Mankato two months after their
somewhere between the Legislature and house burned down and Just before the
hundreds of local school boards. Orest Crash of the stock market In ID29,
OMCIBIIy, the board oversees and sets She supported herself while in medical tech-
etatewlde policies for the Department of Ed- nlcal school and got her fill career Job Im.
ucation to follow. Its decisions have the mediately afterward.a
force of law, until countermanded by the
courts or the Legs atom. It also serves As
the State Board for Vocational Education, NATIONAL URBAN POLICY
overseeing the ers e'sOf 44 TO-tCim "l adership". 41 Mr. TSONGAS. Mr. President, Mary
Board members often cite ch Inenhlp" u
e.
eir meetings am a foem,
for them and6 Primary for department staeen to an. IOwa City, Iowa, recener, 116 city tly wrote an flwOMan fertlm-
courage and debate public school policies. In Cie an our national urban policy for the
the 1970$, for exmlple. It was the board. not Nation's Cities Weekly, a Publication of
the Legislature that established school de- the National League of Cities.
segregation reguianons. Over decade
Partisanship h a naturally a factor In board ago. Congress and the
affairs. though both board members and . executive branch began to form the
staffers who work closely with It us quick framework of a national urban policy,
to day that Political Ideology Is mon blamed and this effort was forcefully accelerated
In education than In other fields. during the last adminLstratlon. The
"Host, board people don't'run$ for this non Comprehensive urban Policy developed
of thing," Weber sold. 'They're basically do- during the Carter administration rested
goodcm-thekind of people who soy yes when On three main ptemLses: first, that the
they'reAskedbed ohe came As
Federal Government was committed to
Weber began her career v • medleal and
X-ray tecnmolan Delon devoting herself to help urban communities respond to thele
the Murrey Count Herald, he newspaper Problems. Second that State and local
owned by her husband's family on they governments and the private sector
sold It last February. She credits newspapen. should work in partnership with the
bow oaten and the one for which she Federal Government on urban rovltall-
"would creta the basement In the morning ration strategies, Third, that Federalre-
great
write of her mB In the &ftftion. n." fora sources should be targeted to communl-
great pan of her istt education. ties and People reflecting the greatest
Currently, she is ugh the
a t •degree In g
tommunlcellon through tits state comma. Reeds.
City College In Worthington. Her coursework These principles have taken On. even
In the "competency -based" program Is but. greater Importance as our country at -
tressed with credit for life experienced, the tempts LO resolve Its grave economic
kind of program she rays she haps o edvo• problems, but they have clearly been lost
tate through her board sent". Problems. the shufne. Now, more than ever, we
In recent years Weber, the mother of three should make cities our Partners in we_
adult dons, seined on the BLytoa School nomlc recovery.
Board.gin Her her
wap In eduetheir far from
has Ince si Ger Boos finished hale eehacting. I ask that Ms. Neuhauser's article be
has Intensified. Inserted in the RELOAD, Tad ask my col -
"The quality of education In Aftmieson leagues t0 take note of her concerns.
Is good, that's • foregone Conclusion- honed Tne article follows:
on available evidence, she sold. "But It can
be Improved. -
Weber
One Crraa MveT Rssu[r a Tae
Weber said her major goal on the board NATIONAL ParaamT
Is to promote Individually Wtand programs (By Nary Nouhauser)
for students, keyed o heir strengths and on. As the first of the budgets of the Regan t
tenets from "the day they cross the thresh. AdMulstratlon slides through Congress, we
old Into kindergarten." wonder and fear what IIB ahead for our t
She said she had been deeply Impressed In claim
his Arca by the apparent success pilot Com• We have he distinct Impression that Im. g
purer teaching' programs have had with provement of cities U Co longer a national
Youngsters. They've found that even In priority but will be merely an option for y
ghetto areae the youngsters Are coming back states o Consider As they choose, We're i
after school" o continue their lesions, she afraid that some, i1 not many, of the states
said. may. not choose o mwmt themselves o
While "tallored" protams might Cast more, Improving our cities. Weber said the long-term social benefits If states were serious about Improving d
would justify the expense by changing the cities, they would n -examine historical Poi-
antl-eutherinrtan orientation many Btu. ICIN that have Contributed o the problems t
dents "Howdmuch of oar t toward school
soclet and U non -prod of their cities. Statutes Iltmt the abroad of P
Live because y Protlhot th he c o annex Adjacent area to um- fen
they're doing?.. , mid. -Its
pr prth obably too cess o revenues from tax base. tsoaces otict her then he
late for people Ilk $ you and me, but It's not Property tax, and particularly from those who
for the children. We've got o $tut with live outside the city llmlts, but use city sem- tl
them." Ice& State Appropriations for freeways en. m
As a conservative, she said she believes ad• courage mlddle•Income people o live outside w
donaW for a return o "bsolcs" have a point, the titles leaving those most In need of gov ca
but that their team that the schools aren't ernMent services And least able o pay for
succeeding are hued on a broader break• them behind. State lanes exempting "Train go
down of traditional respect for olden, that kinds of property from taxation put greater
young people don't appmelate the sacrifices burdens on rhe remaining property owners, it
eoclety make o educate them. People tend Recognizing that not All Stated have a the
o blame schools for this, but the emeses COMmltmenI towards Improving their cities. Tol
Isn't a return to the "area," Ane said. we mint seek • broatler appmach. The vi. %I,
Weber acknowledges her awn background Itilsy a American
lty ria hies Is not as luxury: u pe
probably explains why she "Cover got Into" priority. g
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Coles promote the emcient use of M.
sources. 711ey serve concentrated populn-
tiona. Claes have Institutions and Infm-
structure ln place.
While some Improvement$ may be neces-
sary, the basic building to service an existing
Population already has been done. Use of
existing resources and land saved undevel.
oped land outslde the cicle for other Im.
portant uses, such Aa agriculture, forestry,
energy exploration and recreation.
Cities shelter people who can't live any-
where else. Someday the poor and many
minorities may be able to live wherever they
wish. but right now the reality U that many
communities outslde the titles make no pro.
vision for them. They have no homing for
low Income people, They have no Jobs for
low-skllted people. They have no public
transportation or day care centers. Cities
Provide these services.
If we are to see that ova cities Continue
to provide services o the people who require
them, If we want o see all people have a
chance o better thele conmtlon, and If we
want o dee cities Continue to regain their
former. economic vitality, we must insure
that titles remain a national priority.
We must continue o pursue our national
goals o provide decent, safe and danitary
housing, o build healthy comonamuee
through the eUmlDArioa of slues and blight
and through enforcement of he Clear Air
Act and Clean Water Act, and to Achieve
self-supporting economies through Increased
employment Opportunities In he private
sector.
To accomplish these gcala title mast be
able to count on assured financial sselsonce
from the federal government.
Whether the form ts categorical programs
or block grants Is not the significant point.
Block grants have gnat advantage in in.
Crowd flexibility, reduced burdensome mg.
Illation and mon eminent administration.
However. whatever the funding souroe; It
mart be tied to a mmmlunent that our
C we a natlomf priority, because vital
titles tie necessary W the well being of the
Catton and the principles on which It esu
founded.*
Mrs. KASSEBADM. Mr. President,
his Past Wednesday night nearly 700
people attended the benefit dinner for
he Charles Edison Memorial Youth
Fund. The dinner honored the dlsthl-
uished Senator from Arizona, BARRY
GOLDWATER, who has been actively in-
oived In this Important program since
is Inception in 1969.
My colleague from Kansas, Senator
DOLr, had the Pleasure of serving as the
inner chairman. His Introduction of
Senator GOLDWATER was a well deserved
ribute, and I ask that his remarks be
Tinted In the RECORD.
The remarks follow:
OorawATso Senotu Dmerm
Think you, Cliff, for that very kind Intro.
ucuon. While we're bandog out Wh1p11-
Bon, can you think Of Anyone In this raaM
Do has done u much for the Republican
we" Cliff Whitey
BOMB of you MAY Cot know that Cuff bi-
n his political caner In Tom Dewey'$ or-
gnnlsatlon In New York. That's when he -
arhed to loss. But he's reeBlent, in feet.
IZ2Tca.
;SEC
Iowa City City Council
Civic Center
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
Dear Council Members:
308 North Hall
Iowa City, Iowa 52242
October 21, 1981
We would like to extend a special invitation to you to attend the
November 14th conference called "Hear the People," being held at Old Brick
in Iowa City. The conference is being co-sponsored by UAW of Cedar Rapids
and Eastern Iowa Human Needs Network. Peg Cass, the executive director of
the Iowa Women's Political Caucus of Des Moines, will be the moderator for
the open forum called "Hear the People." Hawkeye Cablevision will also be
broadcasting the "Hear the People" live. The purpose of the Saturday meeting
is to give people, from diverse backgrounds, a chance to come together and
speak out regarding the recent funding changes.
The afternoon will be divided into small working groups. The workshops
will focus on the issues that were discussed at the morning forum.
Our intent in the afternoon is to:
1. Prioritize the issues that people decided needed attention.
2. Make a consensus statement as to the direction that we need to
take during the 1982 legislative session.
3. Exchange information to facilitate networking.
People are being invited from Davenport, Des Moines, Cedar Rapids,
Muscatine, Tipton, Dubuque and Iowa City. They will be people from labor,
churches, social service agencies, educational institutions and low-income
backgrounds who wish to be heard because of a common concern for human service
legislation. Your viewpoint is also necessary. We would like to "Hear from
You."
If I can answer any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Deborah Prince
(319) 353-4908
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city of'ANLJVM
ME�VIOR
Date: October 23, 1981
To: City Council and City Council Candidates
From: The Iowa City Housing Commission
Re: Funding for Housing Programs
The Housing Commission has spent considerable time and effort studying and
determining housing needs in the community. Recommendations have been
provided to Council concerning allocation of CDBG funds and projects for
the CIP. Recent events have caused some concern that allocated dollars
from the 1982 calendar year CDBG dollars would be diverted to the North
Branch Dam Project. Further, that the potential for not funding proposed
housing programs in the CIP was being considered.
The .Commission held a Special Meeting on October 21 and 22 to obtain
current information and to reaffirm to Council goals and objectives as
they relate to housing.
The Housing Commission understands that there is' going to be a need to
rethink all program dollars. We would like to advise you what we had in
mind when we set the budget for these projects.
Since CIP money is not always identified as far as funding sources, we
understand the Council has these sources in mind:
FUNDING SOURCES
Tax Exempt Bonding
The Housing Commission is being asked by the Department of Planning
and Program Development to recommend sites for consideration by the
City Council for Industrial Revenue Bonds. It is conceivable that
some of the following programs could be greatly enhanced by such
financing opportunities. As the Commission is aware, up until very
recently, the City Council had a specific prohibition against
utilizing Industrial Revenue Bonds for projects involving
residential use. However, with the recent preliminary approval of a
mixed use development on Burlington and Linn Streets involving three
apartments, and with the proposal for a large apartment complex to be
built on lands adjoining the Small Cities grant area east of Gilbert
Street, there appears to be a willingness on the part of the City
Council to consider Industrial Revenue Bonds for residential uses.
General Obligation Bonds
General Obligations Bonds are issued by the City of Iowa City to
perform a number of Capital Improvement Projects such as street
replacements and improvements or the downtown landscaping program.
The present demand for "brick and mortar" CIP projects are far in
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excess of our bonding ceilings and make the above housing projects
less desirable unless, the benefit of recapturing expended monies is
seen as a positive benefit of financing the proposed housing
ventures. By this I mean, a newly constructed street, whether bonded
or not, is money spent and cannot be recaptured. However, if public
money is used to purchase land and that land is later sold to a
developer, the City stands to recapture all of the monies advanced,
or in the case of a writedown of property, a portion of the monies
advanced. This latter approach enables the City to utilize monies
twice. First for projects such as housing, which allow the
possibility for recapture, and secondly, for "brick and mortar," a
one time expenditure.
In -Kind Contributions
As indicated in the earlier project discussion of public housing, the
City of Iowa City has, in the past, offered a degree of in-kind
contribution to housing projects by offering City -owned property as
potential sites for public housing. A utilization of vacated streets
rights-of-way and the old water tower site are examples of a type of
in-kind contribution that did not give the entire value of the land
over to housing, but did enable the projects to be completed by
selling the land to a developer at values less than the marketplace.
Such arrangements could, of course, be continued in FY1982.
Projects such as congregate housing will require construction sites
of a size and dollar amount far in excess of those necessary to meet
our current modest public housing endeavors. Potential construction
sites are presently owned by the City and could be "set aside" for
housing in lieu of a cash outlay of capital improvement dollars as
requested in the FY82 budget. Land, so reserved for housing, could
then be either given to a developer willing to construct a City -
approved housing project for low and moderate income persons, could
be made part of a City -sponsored development project or could be sold
to a developer, either for profit or non-profit, with attractive
financing arrangements to make certain that the housing project is
economically feasible and acceptable to HUD, the State of Iowa, or
whatever additional sponsoring agencies are involved.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL:
1. That CD8G funds for FY82, specifically the $129,000 allocated for
Housing Rehabilitation and the $12,000 for Code Enforcement be left
alone, as they are, for those specific items, due to the fact that
Housing Rehabilitation deals specifically with improving the quality
of housing in our community, not only for the elderly, but ultimately
those houses will remain livable, restored, and not deteriorating.
Moved by Karstens, seconded by Farran, approved 4/0.
2. That the CIP funds for FY82, specifically the $250,000 allocated and
approved by Council for Assisted Housing be utilized for the
following purposes:
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CEDAR RAPIDS -DES MOINES
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PROJECTS
Congregate Housing
The recent workshop on congregate housing conducted by the
iHousing Commission helped define the problem of elderly and
andicapped citizens ndependeh
nt living and are notaready for lnursing care.alWorkshop
recommendations are' scheduled for review and action by the
Housing Commission task force on congregate housing and will
most likely require not only a commitment to act from the City
Council, but financial assistance in the form of loans, grants,
donations of City -owned land, or ongoing financial support.
Emeraencv Housino
The Housing Commission has expressed a desire to program for
support to persons needing emergency housing, especially
transients and abused children and spouses. In an attempt to
help define the problem, the Housing Commission has opened
dialogue with the task force of the Ecumenical Consultation of
IowaCity, an organization of Iowa City area churches who share
the Housing Commission's concern for providing emergency
housing opportunities. The Housing Commission has agreed to
convene a task force in early 1982 to study and recommend action
on the emergency housing problem.
Like the Spouse Abuse Shelter, it is conceivable that the
Housing Commission may be asking for a portion of the FY82-CIP
funds to be utilized in addressing the problems of emergency
housing.
The Housing Authority of the City of Iowa City has entered into
a contract with Hallmark Homes to construct 32 units of public
housing utilizing the Turnkey approach. Six of the units are
being built on land previously owned by the City. These lands,
three vacated street rights-of-way and a site that once held the
Iowa Cit
water
ttower
for a are now
nlieuofpropertytaxes, , revenue that ndid not co eo in before
the housing development.
Iowa City has received approval for an additional 20 units of
Public housing, however, without government assistance in
obtaining land, the cost of development and construction will
make further completion of public housing in excess of HUD
prescribed construction ceilings and therefore economically
infeasible.
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CEDAR RAPIDS -DES MOINES
L
/59 f/
fit:_
To assure the construction of additional units of public
housing, the Housing Commission will have to continue to
encourage additional support from the City of Iowa City in the
form of land donations or write downs of potential construction
sites already owned by the City, such as street rights-of-way,
parks, or other City owned property. Another method that is
being utilized in Phase II of the existing allocation of public
housing units is to have the City purchase buildable land in the
marketplace and resell the land to a Turnkey developer at a
write-down.
Moderate Rehabilitation Section 8
The City of Iowa City presently only has assisted tenants under
Section 8 in existing privately owned dwellings that are in
compliance with the Iowa City Housing Code. In calendar year
1982, the City will be broadening their assistance program to
include 30 units of Moderate Rehabilitation Section 8. To
qualify for Moderate Rehabilitation Section 8 rental
assistance, a property owner must be willing to make
improvements to an existing property in order to bring the
structure into compliance with HUD Section 8 standards; (for
Iowa City it will be our Housing Code standards).
To encourage the repairs, HUD will enter into a 15 -year
agreement to provide a Section 8 Rental Subsidy to the low
income tenants residing in the repaired structure. In an
attempt to offset the financing costs of the repair
construction, Moderate Rehabilitation rental allowance payments
are higher than that allowed for Existing Section 8. However,
current principal and interest payback rates on home
improvement loans will make the Moderate Rehabilitation Program
undesirable unless participating owners have other sources for
financing repairs, such as savings or life insurance loans. The
City will have to provide attractive loans to the property
owners lacking private funding sources similar to the owner -
occupied rehabilitation loan programs of the Community
Development Block Grant Program.
HUD Section 312 loans cannot be utilized in conjunction with
Section 8.
New Construction Section 8
The New Construction Section B program is similar to the
previously discussed Moderate Rehabilitation Section 8 program
with the major difference being that a private developer would
build dwellings with the expressed intent of entering into
Housing Assistance Payments with the Department of Housing and
Urban Development for 20 years such that low income tenants
residing in the newly constructed dwelling units would receive
MICROFILMED BY
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CEDAR RAPIDS -DES 110INES
159 s/
rental assistance payments to offset the higher rents
anticipated and approved by HUD for newly built dwellings. To
date, for the same reasons as expressed earlier in discussing
Moderate Rehabilitation Section 8, developers have been
disinterested in building new dwellings for Section 8
assistance since land acquisition and construction costs demand
fair -market rents in excess of those allowed by HUD.
It is conceivable that with donated or underwritten land costs,
and/or lower interest construction financing coming from the
City of Iowa City, private developers could be encouraged to
enter into the assisted housing program. In order to accomplish
this, the Housing Commission would have to recommend to the City
Council that loans, grants or donations of City land would have
to be considered to capture New Construction Section 8 housing
assistance from HUD.
Rehabilitation
Actual experience in the present Rehabilitation program over
the last four years indicated that, although we experienced a
high level of program success in being able to rehabilitate
existing single-family homes to the Housing Code standards, on
occasion properties are so in need of repair that it is not
feasible to rehabilitate them to the current code standards
with existing HUD Loan Programs or City -sponsored grants. It is
most difficult to turn away people in greatest need, therefore
we recommend that monies be set aside to purchase properties
infeasible for rehabilitation and with proper relocation of the
existing homeowners into sound housing, the former housing site
be utilized for public housing or other such appropriate public
purposes as neighborhood parks.
3. That the Housing Commission would encourage the City Council to use
Industrial Revenue Bonds for residential uses.
SUMMARY
We are willing to discuss with you any or all of the projects for
inclusion in FY82 and future projects and would like to pursue jointly
with you the various funding sources outlined in our report. Of course,
if we cannot capture all of the dollars estimated for this program year,
we would at least encourage you to give us a strong enough commitment to
pursue our priorities:
I. Congregate Housing
2. Emergency Housing
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CEDAR RAPIDS -DES 14011IES
L.,.
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6
3. Public Housing
As you have demonstrated in the past a willingness to cooperate with our
goals by offering to us City -owned properties, we would encourage you to
open up a dialogue with us on a possible site for Congregate Housing.
With the momentum to date, and with a strong commitment from the City
Council, we assure you that we will have a meaningful project proposal for
the Council this fiscal year.
bdw5/7-12
MICROFILMED BY
'JORM MICROLAB
CEDAR RAPIDS•DES MOINES
MINUTES OF STAFF MEETING
October 14, 1981
Referrals from the informal meeting were distributed for discussion
(copy attached).
The City Manager advised that beginning with the October 20 meeting,
agenda and information packets will be sent to City Council candidates.
The City Manager briefly discussed the possibility of a City publication.
A number of cities are beginning to use advertising to support such
publications. In the past we had decided against this method, but with
the shortage of funds this should be explored.
A copy of an article regarding how to be effective in using criticism, from
the Wall Street Journal, was distributed to the staff.
The Assistant City Manager advised that a memorandum would be out soon remind-
ing the staff that quarterly reports are due. These should go into the
information packet of November 10.
The City Manager advised that the meeting of November 10 would probably be
a long one. Optional items should not be included on the agenda.
The Human Relations Director advised that contributions to United Way are
still being accepted.
The Human Relations Director also advised that the personnel handbooks are
being distributed. Most will be out to employees today. These should be
made available to all employees.
The Assistant City Manager advised that the first meeting with AFSCME will be
next Thursday to receive their first proposal.
Pre ared by:
Lorraine Saeger
159.s
MICROFILMED BY
'JORM MICROLAB
CEDAR RAPIDS•DES I401NES
Informal Council Meeting
October 12, 1981
DEPARTMENT
REFERRALS
SUBJECT.
DATE
REC'D
REFERRED
TO
DUE
F
COMMENTS/STATUS
Small Buses
10-12
Transit
Contact Richmond, Indiana,
regarding success with small buses.
IDRBs
10-12
P&PD
Draft letter to Governor for
policy,eetcding Iowa City's position
Marcie Roggow
10-12
P&PD
Refer her project to Design
Review Committee.
MINUTES OF STAFF MEETING
October 21, 1981
Referrals from the Council meeting of October 20, 1981, were distributed
to the staff for review and discussion (copy attached).
The Finance Director advised that a special meeting would be needed on
Monday, October 26, to consider a resolution regarding industrial develop-
ment revenue bonds for The Brown Bottle.
The City Manager requested the staff to remind their employees that all
correspondence and other written material should be carefully reviewed
for spelling and grammatical errors.
The City Manager again mentioned the publication for the City which had
been discussed at last week's staff meeting. This publication would be
put out quarterly; twice a year the publication would concentrate on
leisure time activities, one would be a directory of all City services,
and the fourth quarter issue would be a summary of City activities for
the year. The City Manager is considering sending out an exploratory
letter to major printers in town to determine interest in this project.
The publication would be financed by advertising which would be solicited
by the printing company. If any staff members have any input regarding this
subject, they are to contact the City Manager.
I The Police Chief advised of a meeting of the Space Committee. Mr. Neumann of
R. Neumann and Associates will be present after the staff meeting to review
the progress of this project.
The Library Director announced that the Iowa City Public Library will participate
in a nationwide teleconference of the American Library Association in January.
Prepared by:
Lorraine Saeger
1595
MICROFILMED BY
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CEDAR RAPIDS -DES 140INES
Regular Council Meeting
October 20, 1981
DEPARTMENT
REFERRALS
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JORM MICROLAB
CEDAR RAPIDS -DES I10INES
\, 4
W
SUBJECT
DATE
RECD
REFERRED
TO
DATE
DUEIr
COMMENTS/STATUS
Informal Sessions
10-20
Assistant
City Mgr
Schedule before regular meeting if
not held on Monday.
Street Reconstruction - 200 block
North Gilbert
10-20
Public Wks
Expedite report to City Manage=
cost and basis for decision to
proceed. Manager send report to
Postponed to November 19 and 20.
Sheller -Globe Hearing
10-20
City Clerk/
City Mgr
Make Council Chambers available.
Glenn Roberts, and Larry Lynch.
Will be scheduled for informal
Jim Clark Apartment Project
10-20
PBPD
discussion November 9.
MICROFILMED BY
JORM MICROLAB
CEDAR RAPIDS -DES I10INES
\, 4
.r'
Notable & Quotable W s s -
B.S.'Satw,'ossistant s mtdy /or-
Poky timmlopment and research in the
. tiveiy. They "have to restore.the'merit
.: Principle to moribund civil service systems
stems
Department Of Housing and Urban
�• D�kpmea4.tn a statement released
•
so that good perfotmarlce by mu
: work nidpw
efs can be rewarded and poor
of the mn al.coq/erence'of ae.Musict-
.pal Finance' Officers Association la'
petfor.
.: mance. penalise, LA mrrelatlon practices
.mutt be revised so that city residents
. BaWn:'Afaatacharcftr:...:. , I.
With strong leadership; cities - can be,
are
not rePeatedly'vktimtre by maWDsUc
muafelpal . unions. "Contracting out"
Come tar more seU;retlant than they are ..
today. There.are numerous ways that Ino-
of i
sane services to the private sector results '
in cost reduction of 2D'fe to 307i,
vative cltle can balance their budgets;. re•
viWise their economic and Improve the—
and is
being dale by more and mare cities. Other
services. 6e"'pdvatlted". "load-
Quality, of Ilte for their citizens.
Not that .it' wW'be easy. bbr the short -
by
• sbedding" the functions to the private sec -
•
tetrn,.ltmeans that title must soberly as-
seas their pdoritles and eliminate those
tor, for example, recreation htltitle could
be sold oft to private firms or turned over
'
tmctlona that go wdl beyond the call of
grants to local civic and neighborhood asso-'
ciatlons to'operate them an a voluntary ba-
wane evm better chief executives and ex-
ercise tbcin aranagement skllls to operate
sis. Even,city streets can be given away to
local groups, who would assume responst-
their services moreetlleieotly and.ettec-..
bWty for cleaning,. repairing and patrogNg
them.... ., ... ,... ..... •. ... .
i
MICROFILMED DY
JORM MICROLAB
CEDAR RAPIDS -DES MOINES
Isge