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Home My WebLink About1979-02-06 Correspondence410 Melrose Court Iowa City, Iowa 52240 January 23, 1979 Iowa City Council Members Civic Center Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Dear Council Members: Although the Planning and Zoning Commission placed more importance on 'H'acility,lt according to the Press Citizen I hope the Iowa City Council will find "safety" to be the moreRportantf cctor in deciding on the closure of Melrose Court. Three accidents have occurred in the last two weeks and the road is now so narrow that two'stardard size automobiles must creep past each other. The other day a car whizzed by and I, in my van with t;rz—_,• small children, drove up in the snow bank to get out of the way. The sidewalk is mostly as wide as one person's footsteps so groups of pedestrian commuters have taken to the street. Although this is hopefully an atypical winter, the spring thaw very often creates the same problems except that the cars go faster. We're not a "safety -valve" street to relieve pressure on Melrose Avenue. You don't need to use a "safety -valve" on Sunday when 19972 cars took Melrose Court or between 8 and 9 pm, when 109 vehicles used it on September 19, 1978. No one will have to go terribly far out of their way except residents of our area who are accustomed to using both access routes. Do we have to risk injury to life and property just because people think they can save a few minutes on a short out? We are pleased that the Planning and Zoning Commission favored widening Byington, but please note, a stop sign will not discourage hundreds of drivers who would rather stop at a sign than go to a traffic signal. No turns at Greenwood affects only the smallest group of drivers - those closest to our own neighborhood and not those who travel between Riverside and Melrose Avenue. Thank you very much for your time. Sincerely, Debra Wolraich :3q MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS -DES MornEs ?g .Trnnwiry 1.079 '106 Melrose Conri, Town r'i tv. Town Members of the Town. Oi'ty rrn ncil Civic (!enter Town City, Tows. Deur Conncilors: T am writing in reaction to 'the pnblished recom- mendations of the Planning and 7,oninff Commission for dealing with the traffic problem in the Melrose Court area. T believe that the Corimission still does not fully grasp the extent of the problem. `rhe recommen- dations which it has marle to the Council. will not change the fact that you are requiring.- this extremely narrow residential street, which was originally designed as a cul-de-sac, to perform the function of minor arterial street. If one had any doubts about the con- strictions of the street, one should observe the 1'.1:ash pick -nu truck try to fvet thronl!h, meeting on -coming traffic•,. Admittedly, the snot this year is unnsnnl, bet the si.tnati.on e,upllasi.zes the narroiniess of the street and the limitations it has when bearing the nresent amount of traf.fi.e. Very truly /fil,n irs, 'Ph omni linl r1r1r1rN -� 3S MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS -DES MOVIES 5j3 Brookland Park Drive Iowa City, Iowa 52240 January 25, 1979 City Council Members Civic Center Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Dear City Council Members: As a resident of the Melrose Court area, I strongly urge the City Council Members to vote for the closure of Melrose Court. As indicated in the traffic study done by Dick Plastino in September, 1978, and as observed by anyone using Melrose Court, the high automobile usage of such a narrow street presents an extremely dangerous situation to both the area residents and others who use this street. I am very concerned for the safety of my :.3t grader who walks to Roosevelt School, for my husband who would like to ride his bicycle to work, and for all the many other children and adults who use this narrow residential street for walking and bicycling. The situation is made especially dangerous during winter months when piles of snow make the usable portion of the street even narrower. I realize closing Melrose Court would put additional traffic on other streets, but these are wider streets and are not strictly residential as is Melrose Court. And proposals made by the Planning and Zoning Commission, such as widening the intersection for eastbound traffic at Grand Avenue and Byington, should help alleviate any extra burden of traffic on other streets. I urge you to vote to close Melrose Court at the south end to protect the many walkers and bicyclists who use this very narrow, residential street. Sincerely yours, ,%� p�... ec'LGL LCL Dedra 0. Diehl MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS -DES 110I17ES rIJ City of Iowa City MO,r,R5?ANOUM Date: January 31, 1979 To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: Jim Brachtel, Traffic Engineer Re: Parking on Grove Street As directed by chapter 23-16 of the Municipal Code of Iowa City this is to advise you of the following action. ACTION: Pursuant to chapter 23-234 of the Municipal Code of Iowa City, the City Traffic Engineer will direct that signs be placed upon the north side of Grove Street so as to prohibit parking from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. This action will be taken on or shortly after 16 February 1979. COMMENT: This action is being taken to add Grove Street to the list of streets upon which parking prohibitions are being altered to enhance the City's ability to remove snow, etc. At the present time the south side of Grove Street has no parking anytime and the north side is uncontrolled. bdw3/13 ' NLE FEB 11979 J ABBIE STOLFUS CITY CLERK MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS -DES MORTES X37 1 i 11 MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS -DES MD vlES 444 /ffYl � FY '80 CDBG PROPOSED APPLICATION The City of Iowa City herein provides notice of the public hearing to be held: Tuesday, February 6, 1979 -- 7:30 p.m. Council Chambers Civic Center 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa r 1. The City Council plans to submit a fifth year application for Community Development Block Grant funds available under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. 1 2. A copy of the proposed Com -unity Development Block Grant application including activities to be carried out during the City's fiscal year 1980 will be available for public review from the Office of the City Clerk, Civic Center, 410 E. Washington Street, Iowa City, Iowa, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday beginning Wednesday, January 31, 1979. 3. Citizens may comment at the February 6 public l hearing or submit written comments to the City of Iowa City at the Office of the City Clerk until February 6, 1979. 4. Following the public hearing, the grant applica- tion will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Dated 26th day of January, 1979. /this ABBIE STOLFUS, City Cl k City of Iowa City, Iowa i 11 MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS -DES MD vlES 2y/ JORM MICROLAB 1979 COtVUNITY DUELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM Approved and Submitted by: THE CITY OF IOWA CITY, IOWA CITY COUNCIL John Balmer Carol deProsse Clemens Erdahl Mary Neuhauser David Perret Glenn Roberts Robert Vevera, Mayor CITY MANAGER Neal Berlin DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT Dennis Kraft COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY NEEDS Curtis Purington, Chairperson (August 1977 to November 1978) George Swisher, Chairperson (November 1978 to present) Horace Amidon Pat McCormick Kent Braverman Pat Owens Irl Carter Roberta Patrick Eve Casserly Milo Pecina Mary Clark Patrick Tadlock Jim Hall Trudy Ward Loren Horton Community Development Block Grant Division Department of Planning and Program Development City of Iowa City, Iowa r _ - MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS•DES I40INES I i I 7 i J I i _I J I J 1� 1 J i i I ' J 1979 COtVUNITY DUELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM Approved and Submitted by: THE CITY OF IOWA CITY, IOWA CITY COUNCIL John Balmer Carol deProsse Clemens Erdahl Mary Neuhauser David Perret Glenn Roberts Robert Vevera, Mayor CITY MANAGER Neal Berlin DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT Dennis Kraft COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY NEEDS Curtis Purington, Chairperson (August 1977 to November 1978) George Swisher, Chairperson (November 1978 to present) Horace Amidon Pat McCormick Kent Braverman Pat Owens Irl Carter Roberta Patrick Eve Casserly Milo Pecina Mary Clark Patrick Tadlock Jim Hall Trudy Ward Loren Horton Community Development Block Grant Division Department of Planning and Program Development City of Iowa City, Iowa r _ - MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS•DES I40INES T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S I. GENERAL INFORMATION Federal Assistance Standard Form (HUD 424) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Resolution Authorizing Application. . . . . . . . • • • • • • • ' • 2 Assurances (HUD 7068) . . . . • • • • • • • • ' ' ' ' ' ' ' 3 A-95 Review: State of Iowa Office for Planning and 7 Programming • • • • East CentrZ1 Iowa Council of Governments . . . . . . . 8 II. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING PLAN SUMMARY Community Profile (HUD 7062) . . . . . . . • • • • • • • • • • • ' ' 9 Summary: Community Development and Housing Needs (HUD 7063). . . .13 Comprehensive Strategy (HUD 7064) 20 A. General Strategy. . . . . . . . • 21 B. Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy. . • • • • ' ' 32 C. Community -wide Housing Strategy . . . • • • • • • • D. Strategy for Providing Community -wide Public Facilities" .36 E. Economic Development Strategy . • • • • • • • Map Showing Extent and Location of Low and Moderate •38 Income Persons ' ' ' ' ' ' Map Showing Extent and Location of Minority Group Residents . . . . 39 Map Showing Extent and Location of Substandard Housing. . 40 III. ANNUAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM Project Summaries (HUD 7066) . . . . . . . . . . . . • • . . . . . • 43 Cost Summary (HUD 7067) . . . . • • • • • • • • • • • • 53 Maps Showing Location of Block Grant Funded Projects. . . . . . • .57 Iv. HOUSING ASSISTANCE PLAN Annual Housing Action Program (HUD 7095), . 62 •64 Survey of Housing Conditions (HUD 7091) . . . . . . . . • • • Housing Assistance Needs of Lower -Income Households (HUD 7092). . .83 Three Year Housing Program (HUD 7093) . . . . . • • • ' 86 General Locations for Proposed Housing (HUD 7094) . . . . • • • i MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RANDS -DES 1101NE5 t COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT ABSTRACT The City plans to continue several ongoing CDBG programs utilizing CDBG funds between July 1, 1979 and June 30, 1980 to complete these programs. Neighborhood revitalization programs will continue through upgrading of the housing stock (minimum housing code enforcement, housing rehabilitation), decreasing deterioration and blight due to flooding (Ralston Creek flood control) and encouraging energy conservation (heat loss identification, housing rehabilitation and winterization). Renovation of the old post office as a Senior Center will be continued, as well as planning for programs and services for the elderly community of Iowa City. Detailed area plans for three neighborhoods on the revised subdivision ordinance will provide additional data for decisions regarding implemen- tation of the Comprehensive Plan. Monitoring of contracts and design review of proposed construction in the downtown redevelopment area will continue until the project is successfully completed. MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS -DES MOINES OMB Aoaroval No. 29-RO218 424-101 R4enhd Ly OSA, FSTARVAua/� Moos.. amt ClreWir 04 — 1 IIICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS -DES 1101nES FEDERAL ASSISTANCE i APPLI• a. NUMBER 1, STATE A. nUNB[R GNrS APPLI• B -79 -HN -19-000 b. DATE TIONAPPUM TION IOENTI• 1. TYPE ❑ PREAPPLIGTION b. DATE Year non1A day DF ACTION ❑ APPLICATION CATION y�rr wnaG da 19 /9 3 3U ryER ASSIGNED 19 ❑ NOTIFICATION OF INTENT (OPQ Logan P(Ainn''t�aP• 60.1 ❑ RUM OF FEDERAL ACTION Skwb 1. LEGAL APPLICANT/RECIPIENT S. FEDERAL EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO. a. AppliwtRer City of Iowa City 42-600-4805 b. omealutiM WI L . C. SIMA/P.O. soPR0. 410 E. Washington Street a. NUMBER 1 4. 2 1118 b. TITLE d. city Iowa City '• D01gb I Johnson DRAM IF,.. I. Mete Iowa I. ZIP ewe: 52240 red" Community Development Y L Called Pwnn (Name, Catalog) Block Grant/Entitlemen �e llokphoo, No.) Neal Berlin - Grants Hold Harmless) E 7. TITLE AND DESCRIPTION OF APPLIUANra PROJECT L TYPE OF APPLICANT/RECIPIENT t MSMM H -Community Adlaa ABm[T B-Inimb4 I-N11u Fauulloml Im111Ww ([HCj Fifth Year Community Development C•Subntala �I m[bin Ylm TNM N-0thw (S"effv)I Block Grant Program i QUAV I -&teal OlnUlet 0-1 011111 PurpaN D�VI[t Ewln nPyroy'iak kltn Q 9. TYPE OF ASSISTANCE A•Bnlo Omni D-Ialuuan S-Suppbmeatel grant E-0thw Ealn aalws C•Loap Priam talk'(.) 106 AREA OF PROJECT IMPACT (NA." of .01". ,wwtk., Il. ESTIMATED NUM- IL TYPE OF APPLICATION Sktea, ak.I OF PO SONS A•Nw C•It"111" E'Aulmaptellaw Iowa City IDEA 47, 744 6 R,nwel D c`nllnantlan Ewtn approD lala kllar 11 PROPOSED FUNDING 11. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS OF: 1L TYPE OF CHANGE (For lea or Jet) "Svwu Callan f-Othn ISP.eify)I a. FEDERAL $ 671,000 .00 a. APPLICANT b. PROJECT Iowa -1st distric Cit lDuration D-Datmliration APPLICANT .W E 0111llan a• STA{ •DD IL PROJECT START 17. PROTECT GATE 'oar wea4 fav DURATION Eetn app's d. LOW. .00 19 9 7 1 12 maath* Janak klkr(.) 0. OTN[R 264,500,Ip 1L ESTIMATED DATE TO YMr we." 4y 19. EXISTING FEDERAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER BE (AGENCY► 19 79 3 30 _ I. tmlL E aro 206 FEDERAL AGENCY TO NECUVE REQUEST (New. CGy, 11"U. RIP ods) 21. REMARKS ADDED Dc artment of Housine and Urban Development, Omaha_ Neh 6J;inr, 0 Yea M No 22. L Is 04 tad A q taoaledim end MIA, b. II rrqq.Ind by OMB OKnubt A -IS thin eoaalllullan w Mbmltled. Panama! b In. Nero• Ro.p.aea Yb Is YM pMPMNeltenfapNteatim an BW[UOM Merin, Is appropriate Arrinlhwnw ani all rats.' am atk[Me: 'Ponos allad,f THE baa gad nMd, 0111 deM.Ml W Neal State of Iowa Office of Planning APPLICANT dab autMlnF M IM lowraly bd1 gl and Programming CERTIFIES the aAlluot aM 1114 11PWHI 01110101YO) If Ma ❑ ❑ THAT► with the .rood amimnooe awbl- CO East Central Council of Governments gnu b aPprwd. 11 a. TYPED MME AND TIRE R 31011AMU L DATE SICKED 211. CERTIFYING year wow" 4p REPM IF SENTATIVE Neal G. Berlin City Mana 2A. AGLWY NAME 2L APPLIES- Toot, eaealA W TION RECEIVED IF 26 ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT 27. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE 2L FEDERAL APPLICATION IDENTIFICATION M ADDRESS 30. FEDERAL GRANT IDENTIFICATION Sl. ACTION TAKEN SL FUNDING Year neawth day H. Year newts day STARTING E3 L AWARDED o. FEDERAL S .DO 11. ACTION DATE P- 19 DATE 19 L APPLICANT .00 1L CONTACT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMA• TION (Naw, ed NkPAoao aawher) ]L Year n.th day L RULCIED L STATE .00 L RMWM FOR ENDING DATE 19 1. LOCAL •00 17. REMARKS ADDED AMENDMW L OTHER .00 13 d. DUEMED I. TOTAL 11 •00 0 L WITHDRAWN [1 Yen ONO 1L a. H tnUnl oboe MIM, eaJ mmenb Iwel,d Iwm [6111. Anu.n pan nn• b. FEDERAL AGENCY A-95 OFFICIAL UdoM. 11 yea mFanu k ba odu NnlUone d Part 1, OIt6 Olwubr A-96, (Nan, ad I.101hoo, goal FEDERAL AGENCY II Ma boa w b Mly waM. A -0S ACTION 424-101 R4enhd Ly OSA, FSTARVAua/� Moos.. amt ClreWir 04 — 1 IIICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS -DES 1101nES Hawkeye Area Community Action Program A MCKbCR AGENCY OF THE UNIILD WAY O] LINN PND JONN%ON COUNTILS AN LOUAL OPPORTUNITY AGENCY 106 eTH AVENUE S.C. CEDAR RAPIDS. IOTA 62401 THOMAS MISNIMEN 310.366.7631 Urzun v[ nI.ICT.. October 12, 1978 Curtis Purington Community Development Program j Civic Center -- Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Dear Mr. Purington; i I wish to restate, in writing, my thoughts expressed at the meeting, held October 5, 1978, regarding rehabilitation funds. t I would like to see the funds available to the total city of Iowa @Sty, not just specific areas. I understand a new proposed regulation will allow health and safety problems to be considered as a reason i--- to rehabilitate. Many elderly could be encouraged to apply for aid if it would help them continue to live in their own homes. It is very sad to deal with an elderly person who lives across the street from someone younger, who has a better income and is receiving re- habilitation money, when they are not eligible because of their i location. This should be considered before you reduce the program and rechannel the funds. Low income elderly are very suspicious of ''give-away programs" and need a one on one education in order to accept these programs. -% HACAP Winterization Fonda are tied to CETA labor which is often non- existent, or not really as capable as we need. If you would channel funds to another agency, such as the JohnsonCounty Council on Aging, to _ provide tools and hire a labor force of three people willing and able to do chore and winterization type work, HACAP would train them on application of the winterization material and provide the material for the clients meeting our guidelines. Attached, for your information only, you will find some Linn County 1 — Council on Aging statistics. I feel certain you would find Johnson County has the same types of problems. i Sincerely, w.� Marjorie Wetherill Housing Specialist Md:lb Enc. 9 H.CJI bD.NO OI OIIrI ClON6 IY ]l CIIE 1114AN. LU IN L111NC NT YICL /NI41OfNi ]LONLNCf. YI'11M[ -... 7[J !L[NLT.Y♦ NDIILx, f.I I,N LINN COUNTY JOIINAON COUNTY b[XiON 10U.T1 hI1CROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS -DES M01RES lx1 J•.UxfN IO NII Nx.Yf JOIIf/ f4V H1f VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION 1115 Gillwrl C,m,l _ OF JOHNSON COUNTY In%a(11v.1uwa 522 10 Phone 319.337.9680 A UNITED WAY AGENCY October 11, 1978 Curtis Purington % Community Development Program Civic Center 410 E. Washington Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Dear Mr. Purington: - As Director of the Visiting Nurse Association of Johnson County, I am made aware, almost daily, of the problems the elderly and disabled experience as they attempt to live with optimal inde- pendence and with minimal dependence on various government funds. Some of their greatest obstacles are routine maintenance of their dwellings, generating the funds to make modest repairs and improve- ments, and finally, locating competent person(s) to carry out any of these tasks. If existing housing rehabilitation programs could be expanded to assist according to proven need, irregardless of location within the town, our problem could be lessened. If a chore/repair service could be developed, based on a number of persons working less than full time and managed by persons who understand buldings, grounds, and all that they entail, the other problems could be addressed. (I believe retired businessmen have a model that could be drawn upon as one sought means of training and supervising workers. I do not know the organization's name.) Too many times we see clients go to a nursing home, not because we cannot manage their health problem at home, but because their simpliest household maintenance chores and repairs are beyond their capabilities. Therefore, our agency supports greater availability for housing rehabilitation and the development of a Household Support Unit for elderly and disabled of all ages. Sincerely, (Mrs. ) Kathleen Kelly', RN, MA Executive Director KK:ja 76 MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS -DES 11011JES P, /f tri' the �1NERIVAN ASSOCI:f' ION OF Ilf+'!'IIIII;II !'I*;ftSU.1�S, Int;. October 15, 1978 To: Curtis Purington, Chairman of the Committee on Community Needs From: Housing Committee of Johnson County Chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons In considering funding for the city housing rehabilitation - program, we request the following considerations and recommend some changes to more nearly meet the needs of the people. The 'Rehabilitation Housing Pro�ran should be continued. 1. All boundaries for eligibility within the city should be removed. 2. Consider some method of using Peer counselors. A group of trained older persons, as volunteers or employees on the staff, could assist the older persons with some of their housing -related problems. �J 3, our committee has been very concerned about the ways housing needs for the elderly are identified. In order to Justify the need for HUD funds In submitting projects the 1970 census figures for housing units and numbers of elderly, number in family and incomes are not adequate. This does not really give us Information which identifies the personal and health needs as -J they relate to the place they live. Counseling with some of the older people who have rejected the rehabilitation program seems ind7cated. 4• We hope the city would add flexibility to the program to permit as a priority items like insulation. Also included should be any repairs or modifications which consider the health and safety of the people. HUD does include this classification. i Our committee does consider than any planning for housing for the elderly must be accompanied by adequate funding for i chore and "in home" services. For this reason we do encourage the initiation of a chore service with the council on aging. Thea Sando, Chairman Housing Committee cc: Mike Rucharzak, City Housing Department Cora Pollock, President, AARP J _ 77 MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS -DES MOINES Civic Center Iowa City, Iowa 52240 arhirgtea Street November 20, 1978 Iowa City, Iowa 52240 To emphasize the point I want to make here I hays prepared a visual aid to illustrate — the rationale behind my request thot the Ceuxeil accept and approve reeesmendatisns fres 01.88,186) the Community Needs Committee that $ amount of $$$ bo allocAt,ed from the final $1.1 xillil of federal "Coammaity NTelopment Rlook Grant" tunas earmark" for "neiCkborheed site ix.. — proyementa" with my specific area of sensors beim sidewalk repair. Lest I some across as "just a dumb citizen"Z an fatly aware that Wv�g and aliewalk: are a special assessment to the adjacent property owner since I have been through that i — right here in River City. When I first moved to Iowa City we were outside the city limit: i apparently in the two-mile jurisdictional territory because we were annexed later and — axperienced the paving/sidowalk assessment bit. Thes, as new, I lived an a server let, as got hit beth ways. j Im plasmins, the city has mads prevision in the budgets for street malatenases and — ll repair as an on-going thing, but the matter of sidewalk is still relegated to the adjacent property Owner on an individual basis, It is m4 feeling that the same sox - sideration for sidewalk maintenance and repair should be given as for the naixtexases and repair of streets since they lie within tis area of city 4.7ed property. (Seo ^ MP of section anywhere in the city) Is two letters from the City in times pact thsy readily admit that they are to — IJ assume the cost of the eonor areasa but maintain that the adjacent property owner is responsible for upkeep of the sidewalk on city -owned land, I also an aware that the mexies for the street upkeep comes from tax nosey and realize what it will do to the levy if sidewalks aro to be included. It is essential that the streets be properly maintained to aid and abet mamle addiction to the autemobile; The times we are alivin, in - with itis energy crisis - and parking problems - are suggesting that people ase mass transit instead of care to got to where theyure going - whercif lies the crux of q crguxent. Granted for many people the buses do net provide .._ to -tie -door service and there is usually an area to walk to get to the nearest bus sto3 on Any given route. Let me state right here sad now that I an not a car owner, or driver. tkat most Of nay getting around is done by walking or 'Aging the available bus, 18 — MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS -DES 1101NES As I have previously referred to two letters from the City in times past I knew that I could personally benefit a little it this program was to get underway. There is one area I would like to address while I am dwelling am the subject of sidewalks and that is the question of liability. What I as ping to say may be opening np a can of worms bat we are inclined to interpret things to suit our convenience. I will tell you why those thoughts have some to me. While I know that I would mayor got to first base in any legal action .. five (5) weeks age I fell flat forward on my i belly - the fall being broken by the puree I was parrying and extending my arms when X realized it was happening. I was walking alone cad there was me one also in sight, A car did plan after I had managed to get myself to my feet and was brushing myself off. I mention this because the location it occurred might'be where city land lies adjacent to tho sidewalk. I didn't Oval sumine the walk to sec if there was a raised area at the seam that my too could have caught oa - I had not turned my ankle. I did net rush to seek medical opinion of the effects of the fall. I an here now with Re visible repercussions, haat 39014000 else sight not have handled the situation the way I did. This is tho question I rains - and wonder how, my insuranse company would interpret who is liable if someone would fall while walking on the area of broken cement in my sidewalk and decide t9 seek damages to sever medical expemso, etc. As I illustrate the aidewalka are within city b"arice since they ova 41 inside the sidewalk before the actual land the owmar can slain. I knew each year the City publishes in the newspaper that people have 24 hours after a snowfall to clear sidewalks and if complaints are received the City can have thea cleared and assess the adjacent property owner. I bring out these points to sake the city aware that while a property owner pays % amount 9f M in taxes - it would be difficult to place a dollar value on services the adjacent property owner provides the city in clearing THEIR aidewalka ands in the summer time. towing the pax'kiag/eurbing area ani the 4' strip an other side of the walk. So it isn't as though we'd be asking for something for nothing. I know the City is conscious of wherein lies liability because they say a city employee cannot to onto private property - I think this legis is used to rationalize the decision 79 MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS•DES Mo Ifl ES to require people to act gam'hage surbeiis. But water meter rwaiereo city polisemen, and firefighters by the nature of their work have to eater onto private property in - the performance of their duties. Regarding what I personally night gain if I got sidewalk replaced adjacent to my small piece of property - not even a full let altkought it is on a corner - 421x1051 - I have learned to avoid the area - it is walking hast other peoples' properties I would benefit most from. The conditions have existed 12-14 yearn since the need was identifiet- by the city so there is no follow-up or follow-through in their reaommendatiems so I 1- have just resigned myself to live with it. It 10 I would like to conslude this presentation by expressing disappointment that the i Cossdttee en Community Needs phasei out the Housing Rehabilitation Program. I expressed - my thoughta on that subject in a letter of October 90th to the Prose -Citizen whish they exercised their editorial discretion met to publish but I would gladly share those I - views with anyone whe is interested by supplying a copy of it as submitted. I an sur* there are others like myself who would have liked to have had the opportunity to take advantage of the program but warm for one reason or another hindered from being imcluded. You surely know that the fade have a way of setting up guidelines that make the projects unworkable almost from the beginning. I really don't buy Husharzakts reason "you practically have to force it an people," for ending th* program. Respectfully submitted. &a. Irene E. Murphy VERBAL ORDERS "DONT .1 rO" WRITE IT Me MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS -DES MOIRES r is IN ------ L - - - - - -- - - - — --- - -- - PARI(ING COFd~I13G _ }'ARK7NG CURBING _ twkite space - city property Solid black ink, Iiaea - 514ewalks ,sleiei ars:-_ t"yeret'prepn'rty STREET L.. .-.4,t. .4A. Ik that belears to I I ALLEY l -- p4uya va/ cu Ps rr, ��. fr mti:�:U%(vi3l"G- - \ I r I •'� I nl --ALI,Y u I I F t I I I I I PARKING/CUItBI1iG rensTMc /CU.^31TG SMEP SING 44_1 81 �i }i?i I � l MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS -DES MOIRES STR�.ET I'A1ti;IKG/CUR13vo, -- j n I r.: January 20, 1979 Ms. Julie Vonn Community Development Block Grant Program Coordinator Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Dear Julie, As we enter our fifth year of CDBG activities, it seems fitting to me that I pass on my impressions of our responsiveness to the needs of our citizens. From the perspective as Chairman of the Committee on Community Needs, I would like to comment on our past performance and speculate on the year to come. With increased involvement in the committees work, it appears to me that perhaps the most difficult aspect of our job is to actually get those citizens that are most directly affected by our efforts to give us their views and ideas. Yet this last year seems to have brought more and better input than before, We have received a variety of comments from many areae. Take for example the neigh. borhood site improvements. The neighborhoods as a whole have bben very involved, whereas, as individuals, they might be less likely to make themselves heard. Also, as we do our budget hearings and proposal considerations, there seems to be no end to the possibilities of projects and plans our neighbors would like to see implemented. -• Some of the less apparent and slower moving projects, such as the senior centdr and Ralston Creek improvementst would appear to bring less extensive public comment. Yet, with consideration given to thoughts of the entire year, there seems to have been a substantial amount of enlight. ening comment. I think we are most fortunate to have a large number of committee members who are willing to gather opinions and appraisals from the people they meet on a day-to-day basis. In what might first appear to be lack of formal citizen participation or interest, these - members acquire a large amount of input to help gmide and sustain projects. The only real shortcoming of the past year was our lack of information regarding the ineffectiveness of the housing rehabilitation program. Even so, we were most fortunate in having a conscientious staff willing to bring us the fact that their program was not doing all they thought it should do. Mike Kucharzak is to be congratu. lated on his integrity in putting the problem on the table and asking assistance in making housing rehabilitation more responsive to those most in need. 82 MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS -DES MOINES All in all, I would say we have done a good ,Job in the past year of getting the pulse of the people. We are fortunate to be in a town that has a great deal of what I would term a community spirit. I am sure many other small cities would be grateful to have the involvement of their citizens to the extent we are able to have ours. As I look forward, I am pleased that the Committee on Community Needs has people who will make every effort to talk and listen, so that we might make the most progress that is possible. I intend to encourage them and am sure they will continue to do their very best. I also intend to make our presence and availability even more apparent to all our citizens and anticipate even more involvement on everyone's part. JGS/vd Sincerely J. George Swisher FM MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS -DES MOINES 2. Summar of citizen concerns or criticisms of the Community evelopment Program and citizen participation plan. A. Concerns expressed at meetings of the Committee on Community _. Problems with traffic in two neighborhoods led CCN to recom- mend the inclusion of $50,000 in the fourth year CDBG budget to plan for trafficways in the Longfellow neighborhood and to correlate northside neighborhood information because of continued concerns expressed by residents. CCN members felt, at one point, that there was insufficient time for citizen reaction to the Comprehensive Plan and raised this question with the City staff. They also expressed concern in relation to funding for the Crisis Center. CCN raised the possibility of using CDBG funds for this purpose and requested staff investigation. Considerable concern was expressed both by CCN and other citizens regarding the Housing Rehabilitation Program. It was w felt there was a need to accelerate the program and to make it more attractive to elderly citizens. Problems with contacting citizens, the difficulty of hiring contractors and rumors about the program were all indicated by citizens as factors detracting from the program. Traffic problems in the downtown area and the continuing need " for bus shelters both there and in the rest of Iowa City was of great concern particularly to the elderly. An elderly housing survey pointed out the need for chore services and homemaker services for the elderly. These needs were also discussed by CCN. A tour by CCN of CDBG projects raised numerous questions on problems, cost and effectiveness of the various ongoing pro- jects, and CCN frequently questioned the delay in the Ralston Creek plan and project. When discussing projects eligible for CDBG funding for the fifth year of the program there was considerable difference of opinion with regard to priorities. A large number of projects were proposed for funding both from unused funds of the pre- ` vious three years and for the fifth year application. At public meetings on 10-4-78, 10-5-78, and 10-26-78 funding was requested for the following projects by citizens and Iowa City staff: Housing Code Enforcement, Housing Rehabilitation, Neighborhood Site Improvements, Ralston Creek Flood Control, Ralston Creek Maintenance, Neighborhood Traffic Controls, _ River City Housing Collective, Energy Conservation, purchase of Central Junior High School, the Senior Center, Archi- MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS•DES o-10114ES tectural Barrier Removal, minor housing repairs for elderly, Comprehensive Plan implementation, Rape Victim Advocacy, Emergency Shelter for Victims of Spouse Abuse, housing for transients, Nelson Adult Center for Retarded Citizens, land acquisition for street link -up, trunk sewer extension, general program administration. In discussing all of these requests for funding, CCN was concerned about the high cost of administration of these projects and the priority for funding planning activities which they felt should not come under general community develop- ment funding. In discussion of the Small Cities Program concern was ex- pressed for choosing an appropriate area. These are some of the highlights of citizen discussion and comments both at regular CCN monthly meetings and at public meetings held specifically to receive citizen input into ! t developmentprograms. Minutes of all meet- .. I future community p ings are available from the Department of Planning and Program Development. B. Concerns expressed at neighborhood meetings to review prelim - In February, 1978, five neighborhood meetings were held to receive citizen comments on the preliminary draft of the Comprehensive Plan. At these meetings citizens were concerned in particular about the eventual zoning of various areas, preservation and protection of older neighborhoods, and pos- sible establishment of historic districts. They did not want to see high density housing in many residential areas, com- mented on park -school sites, and traffic problems throughout the city. There was also general concern about preserving the environment and energy conservation. In addition, about 40 written letters and comments indicated similar concerns with the largest number referring to proposed increased housing density in specific residential areas. C. Concerns expressed at neighborhood meetings on site improvements. Comments and ideas were asked for at meetings and in surveys to prioritize needed improvements in five neighborhoods in the CDBG project area. Concerns were expressed with the state of alleys and sidewalks, traffic control, parking problems, improved street lighting, garbage and animal control, bus shelters and benches, mini -parks and tree replacements. M MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAP RAPIDS -DES r401r1E5 3. D. Concerns expressed by the Council of Elders. There are three main areas of concern: Representation on the Council of Elders and its role in policy-making, management of the Senior Center, and quality of space and programs in the Center. Basically, the Council of Elders feels the elderly should have a voice and be recognized as a viable and important advisory body for all plans and programs relating to the Senior Center. E. Comments on Environmental Review Records. Three letters (one favorable, two critical) were received after publication of the ERR for the north branch of Ralston Creek. Concerns dealt with the precedent of using park land for water detention, aesthetic impacts, safety features and the impact on Regina schools. A letter from Free Environment, who carefully reviewed the project stated: "Free Environment would like to express appreciation for the care the City has shown on the Ralston Creek storm water management project. City officials have proven through their handling of this long-running problem that a conscientious procedure can in the end benefit our community, while mini- mizing the inevitable adverse impacts of human activity upon the landscape." F. Concerns of the Ralston Creek Coordinating Committee. RCCC met several times during the year to monitor Ralston Creek projects. They expressed concerns over delays, flooding due to runoffs in small watersheds, a proposal by a developer to relocate a portion of the south branch of Ralston Creek, and the maintenance and cleaning of the creek bed. Almost all concerns and comments expressed by citizens address valid issues. Priorities obviously vary and occasional inconsistencies arise. An example is the expressed desire (in a City-wide survey compiled for the Comprehensive Plan) for more high density housing in the central city and adjacent to the University. When such higher density housing was proposed in various residential areas, opposition of the neighbors was almost unanimous. The old philosophy of "it's a great idea, but not next door to me!" was apparent. In addition, in some cases (e.g. objections to rezoning to residential of an isolated commercial area surrounded by residential zoning), M- MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS -DES MOIt1ES there was a resistance to change even if such change would obviously benefit the residents in terms of reduced noise, traffic, trucks and so on. However, many citizen comments were positive "glad you're doing something" and there was a great deal of constructive criticism. In response to all citizens letters, city staff reply as soon as possible. Questions are answered and proposals or criticisms considered for action by the city staff and responsible commissions or boards. For instance, CCN responded to a traffic problem in one neighborhood by asking for solutions from the Public Works Department and eventually making a recommendation to the City Council. The Committee followed-up to see what action was taken by Council, and when none eventuated, requested reconsideration by Council. Concern for the effectiveness of the Housing Rehabilitation Program resulted in discussions with the project director, and the alteration of the program toward one stressing emergency repairs and winterization for elderly property owners, since this was felt to be the greatest need. The problem raised frequently, particularly by Mr. and Mrs. Raftis, of homeowners outside the CDBG project area not being eligible for rehabilitation assistance, cannot be resolved at this i time. The City Council will probably decide not to increase the CDBG project area for the last year of the program. CCN discussed all citizen requests for CDBG funding at length, came up with priorities, and with the help of the city staff looked into alternative sources of funding for some projects, e.g, bus shelters, the Rape Victim Advocacy Program, housing for transients. After the neighborhood meetings on the preliminary draft of the Comprehensive Plan, numerous changes were made in the plan. Proposed housing densities were reduced in some areas and traffic routing proposals altered; all suggestions made at the meetings were discussed by the Comprehensive Plan Coordinating Committee and city staff. When some of the elderly in the community felt they were being bypassed in Senior Center planning, the Council of Elders was formed. This Council of Elders met with the City Manager to discuss their concerns, and were assured that they would have a i significant role in all planning and programming for the Senior Center. Letters were sent to citizens responding to the ERR publication, explaining the records and commenting on the statements made. _ In general ideas and comments received from citizens are discussed by the appropriate board or commission and City staff, and the citizens receive responses through letters or at meetings. In some cases recommendations for action were made to the City Council by CCN or City staff. M MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS -DES MOINES 4. Assessment of the effectiveness of citizen oartic Citizens of Iowa City are effectively involved in both planning and programming of CDBG projects, as well as monitoring and amending specific projects. The Committee on Community Needs (CCN) made up of fifteen Iowa City residents representing a broad cross section of the community, was appointed by the City Council to gather citizen comments about „ ongoing and proposed community development programs, and to make recommendations to the Council about these programs. Over the past three years the Committee has been increasingly active and effective. It is noteworthy that the City Council accepted CCN's recommendations on CDBG funding with relatively few changes. 14 CCN holds regular monthly meetings, monitors the performance of each project and makes recommendations on changes or investigations into delays to the City Council and city staff. CCN members are '"' individually involved in monitoring one or more projects and presenting updates on these projects at meetings. They talk to their neighbors and are active in neighborhood meetings for such projects as neighborhood site improvements. CCN members living in the neighborhood where improvements are planned, have been very helpful in transmitting neighborhood concerns and comments to the City staff throughout the lifetime of the project. Other CCN members are also members of the Ralston Creek Coordinating Committee and pass on input from residents living in the creek watershed. Radio talk shows, an automatic slide show about the ongoing CDBG programs, news releases, newspaper ads, and individual letters to residents have been effective in informing citizens and alerting them to public and neighborhood meetings. Whereas attempting to contact all area residents is time consuming it has resulted in excellent turnouts at meetings and response to surveys. When it became apparent that there were some problems with the !lousing Rehabilitation Program, many citizen groups such as AARP, CCN, the Housing Commission, as well as individual citizens made comments and suggestions to changes. As a result the focus of the program was changed. Some of the elderly in the community were concerned that Senior Center programs were being planned for not �y them. The result is a very active Council of Elders deeply involved in all aspects of development of the Senior Center. Citizen comments on the preliminary Comprehensive Plan resulted in extensive revisions of the plan and the comment from numerous citizens "you do listen." M MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS -DES MOIRES There are some groups of citizens that it is hard to reach. Some citizens resent anything that smacks of government interference, others find it difficult to speak at meetings or even in small groups. This is particularly true when there are highly articulate persons present - a frequent occurrence in a University town. Overall, however, citizens participate extensively in all phases of CDBG programs and many donate numerous hours of their time. Citizen participation in Iowa City is effective. RE MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS•DES MOVIES to 0 CBDG PROJECT A] MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS•DEs I40111Es U U I 'ncem;Lwto B, JORM MICROLAB City of Iowa Cfl«y MEMORANUUM Date: February 2, 1979 To: City Council From: Dennis Kraft, Director of Planning & Program Development and Julie Vann, CDBG Program Coordinator Re: Fifth Year CDBG Application & Grantee Perform Report Attached is the fifth year application (i.e. the final hold -harmless entitlement grant application) for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, available under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, and the Grantee Performance Report for CDBG fund use since program inception in 1975. FIFTH YEAR APPLICATION Schedule: Monday, February 5, during the informal Council meeting, the staff will be available to answer any questions the Council members have regarding either the fifth year grant application or the performance report. No specific time has been set aside for this discussion, therefore, questions must be brought up during the Council's discussion of agenda items. Tuesday, February 6, the City Council will hold a public hearing to receive citizen comments regarding the application document. Tuesday, February 13, the City Council will consider a resolution authorizing the City Manager to submit the application document to A- 95 review agencies and HUD. February 15 to April 2, A-95 review agencies will have an opportunity to review the documents and submit comments. April 5, the application and all A-95 review agencies' comments will be submitted to HUD. Zy/ MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS -DES MoINEs Summary of Community Development Program: Program Name: Energy Conservation Housing Rehabilitation Housing Code Enforcement Ralston Creek Senior Center Planning Downtown Redevelopment Administration General Administration Contingency *In the application (pp. 53-54) $8,775 listed in the contingency/local option under planning, in order to comply with Changes to Document Since 12-19-78: Budget Amount• $ 26,880 $100,000 $101,000 $213,070 $214,000 $ 40,775* $ 30,000 $125,000 $ 61,550* budgeted for planning is activities line rather than HUD requirements. Initially when budget information was compiled, the staff was using a projected grant amount of $670,000 (received from HUD). However, in January, we received notification that the revised projected amount of the grant funds available to Iowa City would be $671,000. The grant application has been put together based on that information. It is possible that the grant amount may vary by 2% between now and April 2. When the staff budgeted planning and administration costs, it was assumed that the 20% ceiling permitted by HUD was to be based on the five year program. However, under the new (March 1978) regulations, the 20% ceiling was to be applied to annual budgets. Therefore even though many of the previously approved projects had not yet been completed, subsequent grant funds were not to be budgeted for administrative costs. In order to allow the inclusion of each amount, it was decided to obtain HUD approval for program proceeds to be received when the hotel site is sold (one of the remaining urban renewal parcels). The inclusion of the $264,000 will allow the total budget amount to increase sufficiently so that less than 20% of the total budget will be used for administration and less than 10% will be remaining in the contingency/local option line. Because the Director of Public Works has updated engineering and land acquisition estimates for the Ralston Creek dams, which justifies budgeting money for that project, rather than returning it in the contingency line, and in order to keep the total of lines 16 and 17 on page 54 below the required 20%, the staff shows the additional program proceeds in a program activity called Ralston Creek. The additional budget for that program equals $213,070. IIICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS•DES MOINES 3 Based on the March 1978 regulations, HUD has designed an entirely new format for this year's CDBG application. The Community Development and Housing Plan Summary includes a Community Profile, Needs Statement and Comprehensive Strategy for solving the City's Community Development and Housing Needs. Detailed project descriptions are in the strategy section, pages 21-27 and 35. Project summaries can be found on pages 43-52. The Housing Assistance Plan (HAP) is similar to last year's and is in the final section of the application. GRANTEE PERFORMANCE REPORT Attached is the cumulative record for the CDBG program, since its inception. Pages 1 and 2 detail project funding and expenditures to date and for the life of the project. Project narratives indicate the status of each project and any problems encountered during its implementation. The main change in this year's format is the citizen participation section, where HUD now requires copies of written comments, as well as more detail on citizens' criticisms and concerns about CDBG programming and the City's responses to them. If the City Council finds no major problems with the Grantee Performance Report as it has been drafted, copies will be forwarded to A-95 review agencies (i.e. State of Iowa Office of Planning and Programming, East I Central Iowa Council of Governments, and the Johnson County Regional Planning Commission) and to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on February 7. bj5/2-4 MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS•DES MOIMES i CITY OF CIVIC CENTER 410 E. WASHINGTON ST IOWA CITY IOWA CITY IOWA 52240 (319) 354.180D NOTICE THE CITY COUNCIL OF IOWA CITY IS CONSIDERING APPOINTMENTS TO THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEE: COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY NEEDS Three vacancies - Two-year terms March 1, 1979 - March 1, 1981 It is the duty of members of the Committee on Com- munity Needs to coordinate communication channels between groups and citizens of Iowa City and the City Council and staff and then to responsibly respond to program proposals as solutions designed to meet the community's needs. Iowa City appointed members of boards and commis- sions must be qualified voters of the City of Iowa City. These appointments will be made at the February 6, 1979, meeting of the City Council at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers. The actual terms will begin March 1, 1979. This will allow a period during I which the appointees can become familiar with the duties of the Committee before assuming full I responsibility. Persons interested in being consid- ered for these positions should contact the City Clerk, Civic Center, 410 East Washington. Applica- tion forms are available from the Clerk's office upon request. ga"" & j ya4, Yi 2 sere� McCMM;ck, .230 E. Au;= d i MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS -DES MOINES 2qq