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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-10-06 Correspondence 4~.. _ ~ - --- --- ---- - -- -- _ - - ---T._._-_.~ ~ __ _ _- - ~ -- - -- --- ----- --- ---_________~ ~2~y _ ~ ~_ ____ ___---____ _~ ____ _ __ __ _._..._ _~._fi _-_---- --- __ ~ ~ ~ DC[J Or 4 h ~~ ~a ~ ,!, -- --- f/1 UOY D~ //iQ`FIf7</ /io~ /~r/lL/Q dP ~ ~ ~ e ` on - -~ 7~ ~x e~a~• _~ ~r~'~ ~t..~ uie G~'rP~t. o F 13.~~~..J'~ ~~~ --o--rr~e~ ~C~rs ~t ~y.~ ~ D ~~ __ _ _ ~ _ ~ ~~ /l~~Gre ~ T ~~ / ~n ocu rc>m ~ ~ ._._-- ,. o r 51 i _.._ ---- ___~.___- - ~~~1Q - ~'~~~ ~ ..,_ _ _ _ _ -S~'~~ ~ ~ _.~_._.________~_.____-------- _ --- ~ ~' ~ ` e --~------ ---- -~'-,~ ~~~~¢ ~ ~ ;~', _ j Ms. Esther Drew '; ~ ~ ` r~ __ ___.-- ---___ t D 1311 Yewell St _______----~,_-----_^______,_._~,__--~_---_~~:~_: i__~5~____- ~ - i Iowa City, IA 52240-2728...±,= `~' ^-' - _ -- -- ,> }_- -- - Q;{I--- - --- ----- 1 Tti W -- ---- -- __~._ --- ~ ------------------------ -------------___---- ~n v __ _ - - --- Marian Karr From: 2C Realtor [arvind100_us@yahoo.com] Sent: Saturday, September 27, 2008 11:39 AM mesas-a~- 4 To: Regenia Bailey Cc: Sam Hargadine; Matt Johnson; Norm Cate; Jeff Davidson; Stephen Long; John Yapp; Council; Tracy Hightshoe; Roger Jensen; Darian Nagle-Gamma Amy Correia; Matt Hayek; Mike Wright; Ross Wilburn Subject: Iowa Police Station Attachments: Iowa Police.doc Hon. Mayor Regina Bailey and the city council, On Behalf of the Dolphin Lake Point, I would like to thank you, city council and the city staff for all your support. It is very hard to name few and is also not fair to ignore those who do the work, whom we never see them or interact with them. My each visit to the city hall is full of pleasure and encouragement from them. We are running into the problem of stigma attached with this property and the reputation that was created over the decades. Our main concern is of security and stabilization of the area. For this we were suggesting to have security gates with Knox keys and codes provided to the Fire, Police and Emergency services so the services are not interrupted nor delayed. The officers don't need to come out of the vehicles to enter the premises and this gates will be installed on private property and not city property. By this we were going to stop the unauthorized visitors and at the same time provide the security to those who reside here. Our goal is to provide the security where a 18 year female student can walk in the middle of the night from the library and do not feel threaten by any intruders. Here is our second idea to attain our goal. At this time we at Dolphin Lake Point would like to explore, if city is open to some suggestions, where we can built a 3 room Sub Police station building where police officers can work and will have down load capability or even city can park the ambulance, that will expedite services to the area surrounding us. 1. We will provide the land on the westside of our property, free of cost and built the structure on it with our in house construction crew to the city's specification. 2. City will bear the cost of sewage, drainage and water. 3. Dolphin will pay for bringing the electricity. This way we are attaining our security issue and the city will get free structure and can increase the efficiency in providing the services. If you or any person has any or better ideas, please share with us. At the end we all are working to improve and make life better for our citizens. My approach may be wrong or unique, my intentions are to resolve some issue with the help of the people who care for the city. I may be out of protocal or city procedures. for which I appologise. My intentions are to keep the transparent and get all the inputs, so we resolve this amicably and with cost curtailments. Well with my drawings, you will know that I am an amateur artist. At this time I am extending the invitation to those who have not seen the place, Please visit us. We are always open to idea and suggestions, this the only way can improve and better our self. With kind regards and appreciations. Arvind Thakore 224-622-1171 cell Project Manager Dolphin Lake Point 2401 Highway 6 East Iowa City, Iowa 52240 P & G IRAC Highway 6 east Proposed Police Station Ro Hollywood Blvd ~ `, Building 1000 Rnildin~ 1 ~i(1O Bldg 1400 Room 1 Room 2 Restroom Page 1 of 1 Marian Karr From: Regenia Bailey [bailey@avalon.net] Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 8:58 PM To: Marian Karr Cc: Jann Ream; Michael Lombardo Subject: re: letters regarding 523 Church Street Attachments: 523 Church St.; garden at 523 Church St.; garden on Church Street Please include these in Council correspondence. Thanks. ~eniA `~~~~ -_ _4- e,_ 9i2sizoos Regenia Bailey From: Timothy Holman [timothy-holman@uiowa.edu] Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2008 1:47 PM To: regenia-bailey@iowa-city.org Cc: GoIm1Kate@aol.com; northside@mchsi.com; mike-Wright@iowa-city.org; sewell@act.org Subject: 523 Church St. Mayor Bailey and all council members: It has come to my attention the city has decided the garden planted in the parkway between the street and sidewalk at 523 Church St. should be removed. The resident claims the neighbors have no complaints, so it appears there is no conflict involved. The resident further claims he will remove a 2 foot border of plantings around the perimeter and the taller grasses, which should eliminate any potential safety concern. This seems reasonable to the resident and also to me. I think the garden looks fine. I also have plantings in the parkway in front of my house at 420 Fairchild St. I did this because grass won't grow in the dense shade under a black maple tree. I have edged with brick and mulched the space between the plantings. I think it looks better than bare dirt or mud. Perhaps the city disagrees. It seems odd the city requires us to maintain the area between the sidewalk and the street, even though we don't own it, but then arbitrarily determines what is and isn't acceptable. The garden at 523 Church St. is attractive and in my opinion is an asset to the neighborhood. Perhaps the city government should work with the resident in question to alleviate any safety concerns while preserving the essence of the garden. After all, the city "works with" property owners around town who have residences that actually are neglected, with un-mowed lawns, vehicles parked in the lawn, trash in the lawn, indoor furniture in the lawn, cars parked across the sidewalk, etc. It seems this resident deserves at least as much consideration. Thank you. Tim Holman, MA College of Medicine University of Iowa Iowa City, IA 52242 319-335-6769 319-353-3006-fax pager: 1428 .. N~t~e.e. This 1.f7. Iaa~al~1~_h i~~,re ~ rn2~r1 irn~..lu~inc~ ~~:tr. h~ ~) ~~~ c i-~~i ~}~ . ~ ~ and ma ,) Y ( ~ ~ i ,: f, 2:7'10 2521., ~> cEyr,i rdent~=zl y k~~ Ic~f al i y~-~v, i ` any ~~etention, disseninat~ior~, distr~ii~~iti~€~, or~ cz~(aYin~; ;~~„ 7€~i7~, i~~r: sends=r Chat:. y~~~ havt= rr~c.eitiad 'i~hca me_ss~ca~a 'in er~°c~~ , tr I _ f y ,.. 9/25/2008 Page 1 of 1 Marian Karr From: Josh Kaine [eddie.eigenvalue@gmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2008 6:50 PM To: Regenia Bailey Subject: 523 Church Street Mayor Bailey, I'm writing regarding the street easement at 523 Church street. I'm not sure of the details-- there are messages on the sidewalk in chalk indicating that something maybe done to the garden covering the easement and asking neighbors to contact you. If it is at all possible for the garden to remain in place, please help make this happen. I'm assuming that there is some code violation coupled with complaints-- if a compromise can be worked out that preserves most or all of the garden on the easement space, that would be wonderful. If there's a technical reason that the garden has to be removed (broken water line, etc.), please let me know. I may be able to help move the plants and/or restore some of the garden after the fix is made. I walk my daughter to school each morning on the sidewalk right by 523 Church, and we very much enjoy walking through the "jungle". I've heard many folks comment on what a wonderful addition it is to the neighborhood. It would be a terrible loss to our community if this garden was eliminated due to a bureaucratic or purely policy/rule based decision. It is worthy of exception. I would go so far as to say that this garden is a work of art. It enriches our neighborhood, adding character and beauty. If you haven't visited the garden yet, please do so. It's impressive. If you have any questions for me, please let me know. Also, if there's any way I can help, please feel free to contact me. Thanks, JK Josh Kaine 413 Church Street 9/25/2008 Reaenia Baile From: Pascoe, Judith M [Judith-pascoe@uiowa.edu] Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2008 8:47 AM To: regenia-bailey@iowa-city.org; mike-Wright@iowa-city.org Cc: karen-howard@iowa-city.org; robert-miklo@iowa-city.org; Claire-sponsler@iowa-city.org; golm12kate@aol.com Subject: garden on Church Street Dear Mayor Bailey and Councilor Wright, I hope you will encourage the City staff to work out a compromise with Tim Volm, the enthusiastic gardener at 523 Church Street. When I attended the recent (excellent) presentation on the Central Planning District, it was noted that there is a shortage of park space in the Central District. One proposed solution was to encourage people to create small gardens in the spaces between sidewalks and curbs. Mr. Volm has been doing exactly this, while also trying to cultivate native Iowa roses. He seems perfectly willing to cut back plants that have grown too high or that might be obstructing drivers' views. I hope that City safety requirements can be satisfied without obliterating this charming garden All the best, Judith Pascoe 317 Fairchild Street Iowa City, IA 52245 Reaenia Baile From: c spons [csspons@yahoo.com] Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 9:48 AM To: regenia-bailey@iowa-city.org; mike-Wright@iowa-city.org Cc: karen-howard@iowa-city.org; robert-miklo@iowa-city.org; golm12kate@aol.com; judith- pascoe@uiowa.edu Subject: garden at 523 Church St. Dear Mayor Bailey and Councilor Wright, As someone who delights in walking past Tim Volm's front garden at 523 Church Street, I am writing in the hope that you will be able to encourage city staff to reach a solution that doesn't involve its complete removal. Gardens planted between curb and sidewalk mesh with a number of the goals of the new Central District plan, including boosting park space, enhancing the appeal of streetscapes, and increasing walkability, in this case by providing a buffer from the road--an especially important consideration for a street as busy as Church. While issues of visibility and safety may have to be addressed, the garden is in mid-block and so doesn't obstruct the views at any cross streets. Balancing the needs of drivers and pedestrians is an on-going urban challenge, and I hope that in this instance a happy compromise can be found that will let this lovely garden survive. Sincerely, Claire Sponsler 413 N. Gilbert St. ~~ r CITY ~F 1 ~ WA CITY Department of Housing and Inspection Services 410 Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240 November 11, 2007 Timothy Volm 523 Church Street Iowa City, IA 52245 Dear Mr. Volm, Enclosed is Notice of Violation concerning the many trees and plants that have been planted in the City right of way in front of your property at 523 Church Street. For your reference, I have also included copies of the code sections that apply and an aerial map showing you approximately where your front property line is. It is illegal to plant in the City right of way (that area between the sidewalk and the street) without a permit from the City Forester. This is to ensure that the trees or other plantings are suitable for the space available. Rae Lynn Schepers from the Forestry Department has inspected this right of way and determined that these plantings are not suitable. Several of the trees will grow to a large size and the grasses and other shrubs will obscure the needed clear vision for persons pulling out from their driveways. Bushes are planted to close to the street and the sidewalk and will eventually start growing out into these areas and cause obstructions. The existing ash tree has been declining for many years but the previous owners did not want Forestry to plant a new tree so it has just been trimmed as limbs die. Forestry is very willing to remove the tree, grind the stump and plant a new tree if you wish to do so. If there are other plantings that you would like to remain there, you will have to get permission from the Forestry Department. Otherwise, all plantings that have the potential to grow and remain over 24inches in height must be removed by the date stated on the Notice of Violation. You have a short transplanting window anyway because of the season so it is in your best interest to immediately start removing these plants and moving them elsewhere on your private property. Because of the hazards they may present, these plantings will not be allowed to remain over the winter. Please contact either Rae Lynn Schepers or Terry Robinson (City Forester) at 356-5107 as soon as possible. If you have further questions about this process, I can be contacted at 356-5120. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter. Thank you, Jann Ream Code Enforcement Assistant cc: Terry Robinson, Rae Lynn Schepers Tim Volm 523 Church St. Iowa City IA. 52240 September 9, 2008 Mr. Volm, Last summer at about this time we had a discussion about the plant materials you have growing in the City Right of Way in front of your home. As we discussed they were causing a significant sight block for persons backing out of you neighbors drive way and for vehicles traveling Eastbound on Church Street. You agreed to remove some of the plants, I believe you said you were getting ready to transplant them anyway and you also agreed to maintain the others so this situation would not occur again. We received a complaint on Friday that the plants have grown back up and are again causing a significant problem. I just returned from checking the area and found that the sight distance problem is quite severe and requires immediate action. I am referring this situation to Housing & Inspection Services but just for your information I am recommending to them that all the plant material between the curb and the Ash tree in the Right of way be removed immediately. This may be a secondary notification since I also plan on calling you to discuss this matter immediately. Sincerely, Terryl L. Robinson Superintendent of Parks & Forestry i r ~~ . s 1 ~ CITY ~F 1 ~ WA CITY Department of Housing and Inspection Services 410 Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240 September 10, 2008 Timothy Volm 523 Church Street Iowa City, IA 52245 Dear Mr. Volm, You recently received a letter from our City Forester requiring you to remove plantings from the City right of way. This letter is to clarify what needs to be removed from this area. The City Forester, Terry Robinson, is requiring that all plant materials be removed between the ash tree and the street -this is very clear. This office is requiring all plant materials over 24 inches in height in the City right of way be removed two feet back from the sidewalk. I have included a brochure which clearly states the City standards regarding planting in the right of way. Housing and Inspection Services is holding you to those standards but, because of past issues, the City Forester is requiring more -the complete removal of plant materials back from the curb to the distance of the ash tree. Your plantings both last year and this have seriously compromised and obstructed City right of way. The City sidewalk in front of your house has been reduced to a narrow path and traffic sight paths are dangerously obstructed both for traffic coming down Church Street and for neighbors trying to see traffic while backing out of their driveway. Besides removing the plant materials from the right of way, you must trim back plantings between the house and the sidewalk so that they do not in anyway grow over the sidewalk. Please remember that the City right of way is not your property. The City has standards about what might be allowed and we can and will exercise our right to determine what maybe allowed. Past experience has taught us that property owners who fill the right of way with plantings do not control them. Removal becomes our best route to ensure no future violations. The vegetation that is obstructing the sidewalk was due to be trimmed back by 9/1/2008. If you have not done this you must do so immediately or a contractor will be hired to do it. We understand that removing the plantings in the right of way will take some time but they must be removed by September 24"', 2008 or the City will remove them. I would be happy to meet you at the property if you have any questions about what needs to done. Please contact me at 319-5120. Thank you, Jann Ream Code Enforcement Assistant -~" W ~, ~_ CI T Y OF 10 WA CITY Department of Housing and Inspection Services 410 Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240 September 24, 2008 Timothy Volm 523 Church Street Iowa City, IA 52245 Dear Tim, Per our conversation today, September 24, 2008, you have until October 26, 2008 to bring the City right of way in front of your house into compliance. As we have discussed many times, compliance means removing all plantings 2 feet back from the curb except for grass or a low growing ground cover and all plantings from the curb back to the ash tree except for grass or a low growing ground cover. The area in between these two areas can contain plants as long as they do not grow taller than 2ft in height during the normal course of their lifetime or growing season. The exceptions are as follows: The pear tree and variegated elm tree can remain. The trellis with the climbing rose can remain. The banana tree can remain until it dies this winter. You asked about many other plants but as I told you, I am not going to start trying to spell out every individual plant that might be able to stay. I have given you the guidelines and the concept and that it what is required for compliance. However, as we also discussed, once you have substantially cleared out the right way and pared the plantings down to what you hope can remain, I am open to reassessing the situation. Do not take my willingness to reassess as a carte blanch to leave all those plants that you want in the right of way. You must remove the large majority of them before I can even begin to reassess the issue. If I do not see substantial improvement in the removal of excess planting in the right of way by October 26, 2008, a contractor will be hired to remove plants under my direction. The charges for such work will be assessed to you. I am always willing to meet you at the property to help you with any question you might have. I truly appreciate your cooperation in this matter. Thank you, Jann Ream Code Enforcement Assistant Page 1 of 1 Marian Karr ~~ ___ . _ _ From: Kathryn Johansen Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2008 4:38 PM To: 'Hepner, Kelly M' Cc: "City Council Subject: RE: Quick Questions Hello Kelly, Thank you for your recent email communication to the City Council. Council members do not receive their emails directly. Your message will be forwarded to them and accepted as official correspondence at the next Council meeting. If you wish to speak with Council members directly, please visit our website at wvr~.v.icgov.org. Click on the link to City Council and there you will find names, phone numbers, and addresses of all seven Council members. Thank you again for writing, Kelly. Best of luck with your class article. Sincerely, Kathi Johansen Administrative Assistant to the City Manager 319 356-5010 _. From: Hepner,. Kelly M [mailto:kelly-hepner@uiowa.edu] Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2008 4:24 PM To: Council Subject: Quick Questions Hi, I'm Kelly Hepner, a Journalism student at the UI and I'm writing an article for one of my classes focusing on rent prices in Iowa City causing students to find other ways to cut costs. I just have a few quick questions I would like to ask any council member based on the recent discussion of introducing more lower income housing. - What do you think is the main reason, if any, that apartment rent for UI students has become such a big issue reccently? - If lower income housing is introduced will it be accessible and convenient for students who need to live near campus because of transportation access? - What are the downsides, if any, in bringing lower income housing into Iowa City? - If the idea of lower income housing does not come to fruition, are there any other ideas to make housing more affordable for students? Thanks for your time! Kelly Hepner 9/23/2008 Marian Karr From: the3rdiowa@mchsi.com 4e 5 Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 11:04 AM To: Marian Karr Subject: RE: Iowa Policy Project Report: Building Strong Foundations Marian, I apologize. My full information is below. Garry Klein 628 2nd Ave Iowa City, IA 52245 319-354-2600 ---------------------- Original Message: --------------------- From: "Marian Karr" <Marian-KarrQiowa-city.org> To: <the3rdiowa@mchsi.com>, "Council" <Council@iowa-city.org>, "Michael Lombardo" <Michael-Lombardo@iowa-city.org> Subject: RE: Iowa Policy Project Report: Building Strong Foundations Date: Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:58:52 +0000 > Thank you for your correspondence. Council has established a policy that > they do not accept correspondence that does not include the full name of > the sender. I am unable to distribute this correspondence without that > information. Please resubmit with a full name. > Marian K. Karr > City Clerk > City of Iowa City > Population 62,380 > (phone) 319-356-5041 > (fax) 319-356-5497 > -----Original Message----- > From: the3rdiowaC~mchsi.com [mailto:the3rdiowa@mchsi.com] > Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 9:47 AM > To: Council; Michael Lombardo > Subject: Iowa Policy Project Report: Building Strong Foundations > City Council Members and City Manager, > I was reading an interesting report from the Iowa Policy Project (which > recently relocated to the Old Brick). > A link to it is here: > http://www.iowapolicyproject.org/2008docs/080904-FL- > housing.pdf > I believe it has some useful information to recommend about things that > can be > done to mitigate post-flood concerns: > Encourage mixed income and mixed-use replacement housing that > incorporates > sustainable building principles; > * Provide assistance locating temporary housing; > * Allow flexibility with late mortgage payments from flood victims; > * Use FEMA trailers to the extent necessary and allow flood victims to > live in 1 > personal campers and trailers on their owned lots to meet immediate > housing > needs; > * Advocate for an expedited FEMA buyout process; > * Encourage and incent the rebuilding of affordable rental and ownership > housing by tying expanded funding to specific affordability > requirements; > * Consider using manufactured housing; and > * Implement a Disaster Housing Tax Credit. 2 Karen Kubb ~` y 4e 6 Artist/Activist/Administrator 1425 Ridge Streets Iowa City, IA 52240-2720 (319) 338-1321 home • (319) 337-2112 work • kubbyC~pobo~:com 4..' '.-'..3 ~~~1 `~~~ September 29, 2008 4.,:~ `~.~ ~.:~, ---~ _ t A City Council, ~ ~ ~ ~ n~,,,•~ ---~R .i /'~ ~ V .~.... Last week, I was present during your discussion on affordable housing. My belie~is that-~. this discussion would have had clearer focus if it had taken place within the context of u~ suggestions by the un-named housing group's statement of consensus and FAIR!'s housing survey, alongside of the options outlined by the housing consultant hired by the city. These three sets of comments together will provide a great guide for you in determining housing policy for the City of Iowa City. I hope that a special informal housing meeting could be scheduled to have these three sets of comments in front of you. In the meantime, I will share some of my thoughts as it relates to your discussion on September 22, 2008 in the order of that discussion. 1. Changing the perception of higher density housing: This will be the biggest challenge before you. a. In new developments, the higher density portion of the development could be built first. This timing of development could be a condition of rezoning or of city subsidy for infrastructure. This way, single family residents know the full character of their neighborhood and don't fight the higher density after they have moved in. b. With infill development, you will have to find the courage and fortitude to vote for higher density. Political leadership and risk taking will be necessary. c. People need to come forward and support such infill rezoning requests to show our neighbors that there is a diversity of opinion about these density questions. 2. Mandatory inclusionary housing: a. There are many flavors of such ordinances. Building an ordinance that suits our area is essential. b. If you talk with some local developers privately and confidentially, you will find there is not as staunch opposition to a mandatory ordinance as you may think. Such an ordinance levels the playing field. This will be even truer if you can work regionally and coordinate such an ordinance between Iowa City, Coralville, and North Liberty to pass the same ordinance at the same time. This strategy creates great efficiency for developers-one set of rules by which to build. c. You can blend a mandatory ordinance with tailored incentives. Such an ordinance will mandate the obligation to provide affordable housing, yet allow discretion on the part of developers to pick the incentives that will work best for their current business plan and the particular development proposal. This concept can be lived out with or without mandatory inclusionary housing. In my opinion, this idea was the most important one to come out of the un-named housing group. We worked long and hazd on this one, making me pay the most attention to this azea of our discussions. 3. Obstacles to building affordable housing: a. There were quite a few factors mentioned-high cost of land, low vacancy rates, rezoning approval process, environmental factors, etc. b. Two not mentioned: i. City Council having the political will to pass re-zoning requests that increase density. "Pre-emptive re-zoning"-taking the initiative to re-zone areas to higher density-will take political courage. If this is done by engaging with land owners and neighbors, ensuring good landscaping and public amenities, it could be a core piece of changing community attitudes about higher density development and the people who live in them. ii. Working to facilitate the use of Federal tax credits to fulfill local housing objectives. If the city could be suggestive, provide assistance, and help in the application process, it might make this a number one strategy and wild success. 4. Discussion of HCDC priorities in the azea of housing: a. The allocation of CDBG monies is one azea where the city council and appointed officials actually have some control. It makes sense to spend these monies on priorities that the market is not accommodating. Communicating these priorities/expectations on the front end is only fair to the process. 5. Discussion of not supporting development of affordable housing south of Highway 6. a. This policy makes sense to me when it is coupled with increased investment per unit to be able to afford the higher land and development costs north of Highway 6. b. You might also support in-fill development at a higher investment per unit because if its advantages-lower infrastructure costs, closer to current schools, public transit, employment, and public accommodations. 6. Reaching housing goals: a. Once housing policies aze established, create measurable, annual goals and report about progress toward these goals. This is another basic and important tenant from the un-named housing group. b. Create benchmarks during the yeaz so that if we are not an track to fulfilling that year's goals, adjustments in investment of time and money can be made in order to reach them by the end of the yeaz. 7. Preventing any more HUD housing currently under contract from going into the private market. a. Cedar Wood went "off line" with NO city intervention. Please do~~it let this happen again. ~= ~_ .,~ b. Communication and encouragement should be started now to prevent any t~ J L~ further erosion of the number of HUD units in our community. ~ ~ _s, ~~ b ~-;~; -~ =~ 'A~ ©~ r:~ w 8. Creating a special class of developers with special privileges. a. I have no problem with this. If developers are willing to engage in this process with which the city has had little forwazd movement, they deserve a few financial incentives. b. I appreciated the Mayor's language on this topic- "public-private partnerships". c. Some items that could be provided in such a partnership might include: i. Fast tracking the process without giving up any of the public obligations in our codes. ii. Subsidization of infrastructure costs. 9. Earmarking of city funds for living out housing goals: a. I don't believe you have to wait to figure out your policy or specific goals to earmazk such funds. If you wait until you have everything figured out you will have to wait until the next yeaz to begin implementing your policy. b. How about $5 million per yeaz in bonding capacity in your next 3-year budget to fulfill housing goals? c. How about 15% of your next CIP to fulfill housing goals? 10. Collaboration with other area jurisdictions: a. This is a great goal for living out the need for housing policy to be regional. b. If this doesn't happen in the short run, please do not let this stop you from formulating and acting as an individual city. 10 yeazs after Iowa City adopted a sensitive azeas ordinance, Johnson County passed a similaz piece of legislation. c. Iowa City, as the largest metro area in Johnson County, is frequently a leader in such matters. d. Working hazd to push yourselves and others on the JCCOG Housing Task Force will pay off for all of us in the area of affordable housing. I offer these thoughts with the hopes that they may bring a few more specifics into the conversation; to bring a sense of urgency on these matters; so you know many of us care about these issues; and expect you to develop a set of policies and to direct staff to live them out whether or not any other jurisdiction has the strength or will to do so. I bring you encouragement and support to be the council that creates a change in this azea so that we have increased numbers of units of affordable housing in our city limits. Thanks for taking the time to read this. In peace, ~' °~ _ ~ -.~ ~ ~ a-'~ Karen Kubby ~ ~ ~ h ~ ~w .:~; ~:°~ ~ t+~J