Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979-08-28 Info PacketDEPASi7-MEN'I OF IIOUSINh i:NIJ L1RFJ<I OF�..F.L UPMEN E • IIIIIIII �•� l AREA Or 171C uNIVAC BUILDING, 7100 WEST CENTER ROAD "FI •'� OMAIIA, NEBRASr.A 681 B6 ki GION %'II UOI. August 21, 1979 1 n.,nnn 9rr.q u,, %11-- "1 ea❑le Mr. Neal. G. Burlin REce/V E� AUG 2.3197 City Manager 9 Civic Center - 410 P.. Washington luwa Ci Ly, Iowa 51.240 Dvur Mr. BC1,1111: lu YI Iq � ul I I �� Inn 7.2*1 (It -79 -UN -19-0048) 1 am pleased to inform you that the Community Development Block Grant Program for Iowa City Is approved In the amount of $570,000. The prugram period is for 12 months, beginning September 1, 1979, and ending August 71, 1980. Our conditional approval of your application constitutes approval only of activities scheduled for the 1979 program year and is not to be construed as approval of new or continuing activities to be undertaken in Nucceeding program years. However, to the extent that no deficien- cles are noted In this letter with respect to activities to be undertaken In future years, you may assume that subsequent drplications that conform In the flan will generally be approved. Subsequent applications that conform to the Plan may nevertheless lie disapproved where substantial addJtional Information contained in the subsequent application, or recelved through monitoring or other sources, indicates that the aeLl- vlLlcs proposed are plainly inappropriate, Ineligible, or do not meet other legal requirements. The activities IdentA fled fur funding require ect-LaIn actlun by the CIty hvfuru funds can bo Obligated or utilized. TbV (Madidans fur rclensJ• ul fund -4 are glvvu under SOctlons 16(a) and 16(c) of the Funding Approval (Perm IIUD 7082). A request for the relense of funds for an aCLIVILy listed under Section 160-1) of the Funding Approval must be accompanied with the environmental certification (forms enclosed), Under Section 16(c), the City must meet the conditions of Section 570.607 of the regulations in order for IIUD to release funds for flood and drainage faciliLles for which other Federal assistance may be available (forms enclosed). Our review of your application, and subsequent telephone conversations with your Community Development staff, indicates that the disLributlnn of funds bunfiLing low/moderate income persons within the project area should be 64 percent, which is the percentage of low/moderate income MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS -DES 110111ES /7/60, project area rusidents Lu Luta.L project area poll tI.IALLoll. Enclosed IS a copy of your CeHL sUmlmry (Form (IIID -7067) with the revised cost figura; shown In Lhe right-hand column. Please make Lhe approprlato adjuHtmonL In yuur application recor.ls, including the acqu:l.sition Linc lu yuur prujvrt ::umuetry (Furth IIIID-7066). Enclosed with the Funding Approval is the Grant Agreement (three copins), which comprises Lite contract between HUD and the City. Please execute and return the original and one copy to this office within fifteen days. The Lhird copy is for your records. 'iltu Letter of Credit will be amended to reflect the funding amount for Fiscal Year 1979; however, if there is a need to delete or add signa- tures of Individuals authorized to draw on the amended Letter of Credit, or a change of depositary, the following documents are enclosed: Form IIUD 274, Designation of Depositary for Direct Deposit of Loan and/or Grant Funds 2. Standard Form 1194, Authorized Signature Card for Payment Vouchers on Letter of Credit. As Lhe (lousing Assistance Plan (IIAP) was a part of`the approved appli- cntlon, Jt Is necessary that appropriate action be taken to carry out the asalsted housing goals contained in that Plan. We view the HAP as a program of action, with the results being evaluated by what in fact happens and whether or nut Lhure is performance. For your informat:lmt and future reference, It was noted that there were minor omissions on yuur revised HAP forms submitted as additional information. On 'Fables L and II -1, the applicant's name, indications of a revision and the revision date were omitted. On Table I, Block 5, the date of surveys used was omLtted. You are advised to make the appropriate corrections. NO nddilloual submissions are necessary. The Omaha Area Office has established among its priority goals for this year the participation of minority owned business in the work generated by HUD -funded programs. In the past this office has received coopera- tion from program participants and I would like to take this opportunity to personally solicit your support and involvement in providing addi- tlunal opportunity for minority owned business in all HUD -funded nctivlties. Mr. Charles Jean -Baptiste, Director of Fair (lousing and Equal. Opportunity, will be available to assist you should you have any queslloon. Ills number is (402) 221-9906. Will, the ,p111'01/41 or Wo netivfties and the amount or fundLng, 1t Is expected Lhut you cnn cougtleLc the proposed activities within the program perlud glveu and within the estimated cost. The grnnt cnnnuL be Increased to cover Inst overruns. MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS -DES 110114ES ■ S : This year's grant award Is the. first increment of ;t multi-year funding, cuunnl Lun•nt by Lite U(•p;trUncnL to the City, SubJcet to Lhe avallabillty of fund:; and tho SnLlsfaccory performance of the Clty In carrying not It:. prugr;un. AS p:u•L of l.Ls application, the City submitted a detailed Schedule for completion of first year activities. 9'he City will be held accountable for its performance in meeting that schedule. If the - schedule is not adhered to, the second year grant amount will be either reducad or cancelled. I'loase cunLact your ConanuniLy Planning and Development Representative, :h•. William V. Shoemaker, at (402) 221-9461, if you have any questions or desire assistance .in connection with this letter or other items related to the program. We .look forward to working with you in meeting your community develop- nn_nt and housing needs. Sincerely, -4- Plat ituben Area Phtttager Ene.Lnsurus cc: Mr. Dennis Kraft MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS -DES MOIMES ■ 5 City of Iowa Cif- MEMORAIVDLJ111i/M Date: August 21, 1979 To: City Council From: Rosemary Vitosh, Director of Finance v Re: Feasibility of Selling GO Bonds Prior to Project Since the interest income on municipal bonds is exempt from federal income tax for bond holders, the Internal Revenue Code does have regula- tions which govern the municipality's use of bonds proceeds. Specific- ally excluded is that of reinvestment of bond proceeds in order to make some money on the deal. Any bond proceed used in this way does classify that bond issue as an arbitrage obligation which has no tax exempt status. This does not exclude the municipality from investing the bond proceeds temporarily until construction is completed and full construc- tion cost is paid. Such "temporary investments" can be made as long as the project is proceeding within the expenditure test and the time test guidelines as set forth in the Internal Revenue Code. These tests state that a substantial binding obligation must be incurred on the project within six months of the bond sale and that 85% of the bond proceeds must be expended within three years from the bond sale. Thus, a munici- pality is not allowed to sell bonds very far in advance of project implementation. jm2/10 /7/6 MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS.DF.S tIDIIIES . 1 City of Iowa C►"', MEMORANDUM Date: August 21, 1979 To: Dale Nelling, Assistant City Manager �J From: Rosemary Vitosh, Director of Finance �- Re: Implications of Not Building Parking Ramp B If construction of Ramp B, Block 64, was cancelled there is the possibil- ity of arbitrage problems arising for the entire Parking Revenue bond issue. The interest earned on municipal bonds is exempt from federal income tax for the bond holder unless the bond issue is an arbitrage obligation. The IRS defines an arbitrage obligation as a bon: issue of which all or part of the proceeds are used for investments which produce a higher yield than that interest rate being paid on the bond issue. In other words, the IRS will not allow a municipality to sell bonds so that it can turn a profit by reinvesting the proceeds. This does not exclude the municipality from investing the bond proceeds temporarily as long as project completion is proceeding within the expenditure test and the time test guidelines as set forth in the In- ternal Revenue Code. If Ramp B was not constructed then it would be necessary to invest the bond proceeds at a restricted yield rate. Then, at the time that the bonds are callable prior to their maturity dates, it would be necessary to call the bonds early to use up the excess bond proceeds on hand (for this bond issue 1990 is the earliest callable date). The City would have to be very careful not to cause arbitrage problems for the bond issue. If this were to happen, the City could be liable to bond holders for the loss of the bonds tax exempt status and such an incident would most likely cause irrepairable damage to the City's bond ratings. jm219 MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS•DEs MonlEs /7/7 ■ Date: August 24, 1979 To: Neal Berlin and City Council From: Dick Plastino, Director of Public Works Re: Informal Council Meeting August 13 Referral -- Advise How We Can Solicit Information From Citizens on Their Opinion of New Transit Routes Approximately three to four months after the new transit routes have been put into effect the Transit Division plans on installing tear -off addressed and stamped he so citizens may provide their opinion of the new transit routes. The long time delay is to allow persons to become accustomed to the new schedules and new routes so they may provide a reasoned opinioned about the new transit routes. Council should be aware that all hell is going to break loose for the first week after the new transit routes are put into effect. This is because not only are routes being changed but also the time schedule is being changed. In the Army they have a saying that no matter how often you tell people things there are 2% who don't get the word. Given the high turnover of citizens in Iowa City, we can expect that the percent- age who "don't get the word" will be higher than 2%. Even routes which have not changed (for example, East College) will have a different time schedule. We are providing abundant advance publicity, radio ads, and newspaper ads, but Council should batten down the hatches and prepare for the five or six days of upheaval while citizens are getting accustomed to the new schedules and routes. A basic rule is that people do not like change and this will be a big change in their lifestyles for a few days. cc: Rosemary Vitosh Hugh Mose jm4/3. MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS -DES n01DEs 1718 City of Iowa C1` MEMORANDUM Date: August 17, 1979 To: Dale Helling, Assistant City Manager From: Hugh Mose, Transit Manager Re: Press Release ✓' 0 Dale, we just received some information from the State DOT, Public Transit Division, regarding the State employee's transit pass program. The statistics show that the Iowa City/Coralville area is responsible for the lion's share of the participants. For the month of July, the first month in which the State paid 25% of the cost and the employee 75%, state-wide 1,313 bus passes were sold. Of this total Iowa City sold 598 and the City of Coralville sold 208. This means that of all the State employees participating, over 61% were riding the bus in Johnson County. In addition, participation in Iowa City far out -stripped every other city in the state, including Des Moines. I have attached a copy of the Public Transit Division newsletter Headway, for your further information. If the opportunity arises, please make this information available to the media. It certainly makes the transit systems in Iowa City and Coralville look good. jm5/14 MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROIAB CEDAR RAPIDS•DES HOIOES 1719 1 1 I V1 I �? A D W A Y ?'1Volume 2 Special Issue . July 1979 1 ?"Vd*&*� &,"t dw ff4e &ow The state employee participation in the bus pass program is BOOMING! Employees statewide are turning to transit to provide their transportation to and from work. There were 1,313 participants who signed up for July monthly bus passes. The breakdown for the state is: A k # OF SYSTEM NAME PARTICIPANTS Ames Cy -Ride 10 Burlington Urban Service 1 Cedar Rapids Transit 11 Clinton Transit 1 Coralville Transit 208 Council Bluffs (Omaha MAT) 1 Des Moines Metro Transit 359 Iowa City Transit 598 Marshalltown 1 Ottumwa i Sioux City g Waterloo q Intercity (Ames -Des Moines) 3 MIDWEST TRANSPORTATION Nevada 26 Story City -Roland 23 BROTHERSBUS n any 21 Carlisle 1 Indianola 17 Martinsdale 3 Norwalk 3 Pleasantville 6 Winterset 8 TOTAL 1,313 Kate Hoagland, Public Transit Division director of support services, stated that the program can handle approximately 2,000 employees per month. Even though the state has decreased its participation to 25 percent and the employee pays 75 percent of the cost of a monthly bus pass Instead of 50.50, the number of participants has INCREASED. Not only has the state's share changed, but there is no limit on the number of passes that can be sold monthly. Lest year no more than 1,200 participants could be In the program a one time. What happens If the money runs out before July 1, 19807 There are two opt(on (1) to discontinue the program or (2) ask the legislature to continue the program with a supplemental appropria- tion. FIICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS -DES ,I0RiEs a L City of Iowa C`"Y MEMORANDUM Date: August 17, 1979 To: Department and Division Heads From: Linda Schreiber Re: City Plaza Opening L The Downtown Association and the Arts Council are enthusiastic about the completion of City Plaza. To recognize the new facility, the City, the Downtown Association, and the Arts Council are cosponsoring a grand opening entitled "Arts Surrounds the Plaza" the week of September 22-29. The Arts Council has assembled an impressive list of performing artists who will perform a week long variety of events for all ages. Featured performances will include puppetry, mime, live theater, vocalists and a masquerade ball on the final day. The plans are to bring live perform- ers to the fountain and stage area during lunch hours and for evening performances. Donald Kau], Des Moines Register and Tribune columnist, has agreed to be a guest speaker for the plaza dedication on Saturday, September 22. I would like to have your input to assist with the planning for this occasion. Please give me a call with your constructive ideas. A ribbon - cutting ceremony is planned and perhaps a reception. Do you know of dignitaries, besides yourselves, who should be invited to attend the dedication? Give this some thought, it's not every day that we have the community support for City activities. Let's make this one really special! J04/23 MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS -DES Mo IIIES i7ao Im August 17, 1979 Mr. Gilbert I. Kelley, Manager Applegates Landing 1411 South Gilbert Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Dear Mr. Kelley: On March 20, 1979, the City Manager wrote to you regarding your non- compliance with the City's no -smoking ordinance. The inspection prior to the renewal of your liquor license showed that your restaurant still has not designated areas where patrons may enjoy the absence of smoke. Your liquor license has been approved for renewal, but you will be expected to comply with this ordinance as soon as possible. Please notify me when this has been accomplished so that I may inform the City Council of your corrective action. Sincerely yours, Dale E. Helling Acting City Manager Is cc: City Council City Clerk MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS -DES I10111ES 17A / N August 17, 1979 Mr. William Burhans, Manager Bull Market Restaurant 325 East Washington Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Dear Mr. Burhans: On April 11, 1978, the City Council of Iowa City passed an ordinance which prohibits smoking in designated places. The ordinance requires at least 25 percent of the permanent seating area be designated as a no -smoking area in bars and restaurants. Our office has received a number of complaints that your restaurant has not complied with this ordinance by designating no -smoking areas. I am enclosing a copy of the no -smoking ordinance for your information. Please bring your restaurant into compliance as soon as possible so that I may notify the City Council of your corrective action. Sincerely yours, Dale E. Welling Acting City Manager Is cc: City Council City Clerk B FIICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS -DES 1101NES 1 %e2 Fri., Aug, i0, 197 AVARIN :a8fC^r�TB�' TO THE IOIdA CITY COUNCIL PLEASE DO NOT SELL THE MI—PARK. 3 DES MOINES REGISTER GRIMM ! I� A al U� r �I've called 4 1 downtown Iowa City i the Dresden of urban': renewal and I stand ¢{ K by that. There was a 4 time, not long ago when It looked as r ..; though they'd played I y ' World War II there But in recent months they've started to put up things — houses, stores, parking ramps, malls — and It's no longer fair to refer to it In terms of a bleak, featureless landscape, What Iowa City is, is the girls bas ketball of city planning. They proved it again just the other night. They've just about completed a lovely tittle mall on three -and -a -ball blocks of the old downtown section of Iowa City. It's got benches and tables and shady spots and places to meet and talk, just like a downtown should have. it's nice. Serving as an entrance to this area Is a "mini -park," a simple widening of the mall concept to include a few trees and shrubs, along with a large, arresting mural on an overlooking wait. The effect Is truly lovely. -low& City's Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended ripping out the mini -park and replacing it with a building. The park, It said, would not he consistent with the city's tromp rehensive plan. In a way, l suppose, that's M.' sur• prising. Why would a beautiful place of charm and grace be consistent with Iowa City's comprehensive plan? 1 Imagine what the commission really wants to do on the park site is drill for oil. There's a chance, just a chance, that the park can be saved. It will require that sanity r.;'r'II •rCr mindlws subservience to a city plan. To do away with the mini -park, however, would not be planning; it would not be coning, It would be vandalism. J;�ID Over the coffee' y p 1 U I, E i ui1G � ti�197.4• ���� r MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS -DES MOIRES