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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-02-03 Correspondence CITY OF IOWA CITY, IOWA STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS Mayor Ernest W. Lehman February 3, 2004 We hear a great deal these days about visioning, planning for the future with a keen eye toward what a city, a corporation, a small business or any other entity will be like and how it will survive and continue to function over the next 5, 10, 25 years and beyond. With consistently limited resources, it is critically important that the decisions we make in meeting today's challenges reflect a genuine concern and responsible consideration for the welfare of our community tomorrow and for generations to come. We continue to look to the future as we strive to facilitate growth, development, and redevelopment in a fashion that will best serve not only our immediate needs, but also the needs of those who will succeed us. Following in the footsteps of recent Councils, we have expressed our strong commitment to emphasize economic development and sustainable growth initiatives. I think we have been, and will continue to be, successful in this regard. During the past year we have continued the use of tax increment financing, applying it judiciously in support of those development and redevelopment initiatives in Iowa City that will provide decent jobs, meaningful growth to our tax base, neighborhood and commercial revitalization, and industrial development and expansion. Certainly a showcase development will be Plaza Towers, now under construction on Parcel 64- lA, the last remaining undeveloped downtown urban renewal parcel. We waited a long time for the right development proposal to come along, and I believe this welcome addition will provide nearly all of what we and others have envisioned. Plaza Towers will offer a mix of uses, including both owner-occupied and rental residential units, overnight lodging and conference facilities which will complement those of the Sheraton Hotel next door, retail businesses including a grocery store, and other commercial uses. The project has been designed in both appearance and function to enhance the environment we wish to create and preserve downtown. By participating through the use of tax increment financing, or TIF as it is commonly referred to, we are aiding the developer in constructing an ediface of the highest quality, one which will be an attractive asset to our downtown and a property that will add significantly to our tax base long after the TIF debt has been retired. We have also approved the use of tax increment financing to support the revitalization of the Pepperwood commercial area South of Highway 6 East. This will assist the developer in restoring commercial activity intended to not only address the needs of the surrounding neighborhoods, but also to provide retail opportunities for serving the community at large. In addition to the two projects I just mentioned, we also approved the use of tax increment financing to facilitate a $9.5 million expansion by United Natural Foods and a $3 million expansion by Alpla last year. The former will result in 130 new jobs while the latter will add at least 35. These four projects alone will result in a combined added value of approximately $45 million to our industrial and commercial tax base, generating significant annual property tax revenue for the City long after our TIF obligations have been satisfied. These are just a few highlights of what has proven to be a record year for the value of new construction. In 2003 we issued building permits totaling nearly $170 million in value, eclipsing by more than 37% the total for 2001, which was previously the highest for a calendar year. This $170 million includes $72 million in multi-family residential construction, nearly $46 million in single-family and duplex residential construction, and over $36 million in construction of commercial and industrial facilities. As we pursue further growth and development opportunities in Iowa City, we will be looking at more vigorously marketing the Aviation Commerce Park properties as well as progress toward mgr/asst/state of city 2004 1 completion of the final phases of the Mormon Trek Road extension to connect with Highway 921. The latter will create industrial, commercial and residential development opportunities for nearly 250 acres west of the airport. We look forward to continued progress toward the 2005 completion of the Court Street Transportation Center. We are partnered with the City of Coralville and the developer in the design and ultimate construction of Camp Cardinal Road to connect Melrose Avenue with Highway 6 West, eventually adding over 450 acres of residential and commercial development in Iowa City and Coralville. In addition, we anticipate joining with Johnson County in extending Sand Road reconstruction south to Napolean Lane. A number of very successful capital projects in recent years have similarly involved cooperation and cost sharing among Iowa City and other local governmental agencies, the University of Iowa, and private developers. This Council has confirmed its commitment to such joint pursuits with other governmental entities and we are poised to take advantage of the potential economic benefits that can be realized. We will seek to identify these kinds of opportunities and will work with our neighboring communities in addressing a variety of interests. I believe this kind of cooperation is the wave of the future and will ultimately make local government more cost efficient. We have discussed the exploration of a joint emergency communications dispatch center for all of Johnson County. We have instructed the City Manager and his staff to be diligent in identifying potential joint endeavors, and further, to ensure that all our planning efforts reflect an area-wide perspective aimed at reducing duplication in local government services. In 2003 approximately 100 housing units were either built or acquired and rehabilitated by various local agencies, using over $800,000 in Community Development Block Grant, or CDBG, and HOME funds. These were made available to Iow- and moderate-income households. The challenge of scattering or more evenly distributing these subsidized units throughout the community will be addressed in the coming year. Our goal is to avoid creating pockets of subsidized housing or the perception that some neighborhoods are "low-income" neighborhoods, concepts that are potentially very harmful to the community at large. Nearly $300,000 in CDBG funds were allocated to a number of local public service agencies to offset land acquisition and facilities rehabilitation costs as they sought to expand and enhance their services to the community. CDBG funds were also allocated for microenterprise loans to several local businesses to assist them in creating or retaining jobs for Iow- and moderate-income persons and persons with disabilities. We continually receive excellent evaluations of our successful Community Development Block Grant programs and we take genuine pride in these achievements. In the coming year we anticipate greater success on the part of our real estate representative in marketing the Peninsula properties, and we anticipate further residential construction in that area. Our FY05 capital improvements program will likely include redesign and reconstruction of the North Dubuque StreetJFoster Road intersection, an improvement needed to facilitate the movement of traffic to and from the Peninsula and neighboring areas. The newly expanded Iowa City Public Library will be completed and fully operational this summer. We will be challenged with issues concerning the Iowa City Airport, and our decisions will be critical in charting the future operation of that facility and in maintaining it as an asset to the City. Further, there remains the issue of who will supply electrical power to Iowa City residents in the future. With the pending referendum in November 2005, we will continue to evaluate the implications of the preliminary feasibility study completed this past fall as part of our ongoing effort to determine if a municipal electric utility can significantly benefit local consumers. The single most important task in which this or any other city council engages is financial planning and budgeting. With the guidance of our capable staff we attempt to allocate our limited resources in the most efficient manner while leaving ourselves the flexibility to respond to unexpected changes in revenue or to unanticipated expenses. We have traditionally maintained a three-year financial plan and a Capital Improvements Program that projects out five years and beyond. Our plan includes maintaining a General Fund balance sufficient to meet our fluctuating cash flow demands as well as to respond in the short term to unanticipated major expenses. mgdasst/state of city 2004 2 This approach has served us well in the past and has been especially beneficial as we have responded to the unexpected reduction in revenues from the State voted by the legislature early in the current fiscal year. Because we anticipated and projected further reductions for fiscal year 2005 and adopted a revised two-year plan for reducing our expenses accordingly, we have been able to avoid the crisis situation in which some other cities find themselves as they now prepare budgets for the next fiscal year. The decisions we made in this regard have been very difficult and we have not been in total agreement in all cases. However, I believe that our financial planning strategies have enabled us to make better decisions, envisioning the long- term consequences of our actions and minimizing the negative impact on our overall service delivery. Anticipating and planning for the future, vital to successful government policy making, is a complicated and difficult charge. The future is not easy to predict and cedain decisions can be much less popular when their direct benefits are perhaps less immediate and are aimed more toward meeting future needs or averting future problems. In my early days on the Council, we confronted the issue of constructing a new water treatment facility and the major renovations to the distribution system associated with it. This was a $50 million project to be funded with a combination of debt and increased rates. It was decided to increase rates to a level that would suppod paying more cash up front, while borrowing less, thus lowering interest charges and reducing the overall cost of the project. Our projections showed that we could perhaps reduce those rates once the project was completed, a notion that was met with more than a little skepticism. Council was not in complete agreement on this financing question, but we were in agreement that the project's time had come and we had to move forward. Differences were put aside in the interest of the larger goal and that new facility is now fully operational. And by the way, water rates were reduced by 5% last year and we will soon be considering a recommendation for an additional 5% reduction. I use this example because I think it serves to illustrate how we might best confront the challenges that lie ahead. We have expressed our individual and collective commitment to re- creating an environment of mutual respect and cooperation. I believe that we are goal oriented and that we value one another's ideas and opinions. We recognize the difficulty and the complexity of our charge as your City Council representatives and we are prepared to listen to you, our citizen friends and neighbors, and to each other, knowing that none of us has all the right answers. We each have a vision of what Iowa City can be and, collectively, we can be a visionary Council. We will be tested in this time of diminishing resources and increasing demands as we confront the difficult issues facing us today. Certainly many of these represent the challenges of tomorrow as well. I am confident this community can look forward to a year in which its City Council will deal with tough issues in a sensitive yet firm manner, making decisions that will prove to be in the best long-term interest of all our citizens. mgdasst/$tate of city 2004 3 lowa Valley Habitat for Humanity P.O. Box 1241 · Iowa City, Iowa 52244 ° 319-337-8949 January 13, 2004 To: City Council members -~q CD o~ F-- Re: Upcoming planning matter Dear Council Members: Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity has constructed 28 homes over its nine-year life. We have recently upgraded the designs of houses to be built this year which will be much more attractive than in the past (1.5 story Cape Cod design). One other significant change is that we are able to build garages with our homes when required by covenants. We now face a serious dilemma here in Iowa City: We have received word we may not be able to purchase any additional lots in the Southeast section of the city due to concerns from the school district about bringing in more low/moderate income children to schools in that area. A review of the FY05 applicant guide to Iowa City CDBG and HOME Programs is particularly disturbing as new city recommendations suggest Housing projects that propose a location within elementary school districts that exceed the ICCSD an average of 20% low-moderate income enrollment may be denied for funding or support by the HCDC or City Council (a map shows more than approximately 60% of the city below Interstate 80 would be excluded from housing development). We will have a very difficult, if not impossible, time building more homes in Iowa City unless something is done to secure building lots that are affordable. Currently, there are only two vacant residential building lots available for under $35,000 (listed in the Multiple Listing Service) in the other parts of the city. And in order to keep our homes affordable for a working family the total selling price for a home should not be more than $65,000-$75,000! After this upcoming building season we will not have any lots in Iowa City in our inventory. Where are we to build? We request you consider four items in your upcoming planning session for consideration and possible adoption: 1) Creating some set aside for low/moderate income families in new residential subdivisions that are proposed. Without some provision in new subdivisions, few families earning under $75,000 will be able to afford to build a home. Without some thought to include the needs of all the income groups in the city's long-term housing plan, many service workers and blue collar families will be forced to either rent their entire lives or they will have to build elsewhere and commute into Iowa City. 2) Authorize city staff be given authority to assist in the identification and procurement of scattered site lots for 1-2 family home construction with some discretion for nonconforming or undersized lots. 3) A pledge to work cooperatively with the county in any future discussions of developments around the edge of the city to include a set-aside of some lots for home ownership for low/moderate income families (i.e. family of four earning under $40,135 per year). 4) Investigation of the possibility for the use of a residential TIF (which requires a set-aside for low/moderate income families) in future developments. Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity is committed to working with the major employers and lenders in town to create housing for those earning $8-$20 per hour. The families we select all have been at their jobs at least 12 months. Our families become homeowners only after 250-400 hours of donated "sweat equity". They also take on a mortgage of between $60,000-$65,000 over 20 years. We need your assistance to help create the American Dream for workers in this community. Habitat does not offer a handout, only a hand up in the form of affordable housing. We all know that a home is not just a place to sleep but it is place to raise kids in a secure environment without fear of rent increases or eviction. It is a place to maintain as an inheritance for one's family and it can also be a major savings account for retirement. A home is a family's security in many ways. We would be happy to discuss further ways to meet the housing needs of the working family. We look forward to a positive and growing relationship with the City government. ~~S incerel y, ~ ggut~ ~ " ~ BB roaadrdL;;sident z II ~ C~, o'~ i -<? · Marian Karr From: Sam Smith [concemed_iowa@yahoo.com] Sent: Friday, January '16, 2004 2:18 PM To: council@iowa-city.org Subject: Littering on City Property Dear City Council: I just watched Connie Champion litter on Friday, Jan. 16 at 1:50 pm in the city parking lot out back of the civic center (while jumping into a vehicle with Hike O'8onnell in view of Bob Elliott) . She (and her two witnesses) should either be fined like everyone else er made te pick up all the trash and cigarette butts in the parking lot. Perhaps you could remind her of the city cede on littering and that Council members are not above the law. Thank you Samuel R. Smith Iowa City, Iowa Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Hotjobs: Enter the "Signing Bonus" Sweepstakes http://hotjobs.sweepstakes.yahoo.com/signingbonus Vicky DiBona 4173 Dane Road SE Iowa City, IA 52240-8910 319-337-9819 1/17/2004 Dear Members of the City Council, My name is Vicky DiBona. I live in the South Central Planning District. Please consider this a friendly reminder of the city's plans for future development in this area. Namely the "Potential Trail and Wide Sidewalk System" as outlined in the South Central District Plan. As you are all aware the development out here is moving along. It would seem that now is the time to establish these green spaces. Forgive me if this work is already in motion but this is a wonderful opportunity for the City to create an important and beneficial natural green space and recreation area and having it slip by would be a shame. Are there agreements in place with the developers along the Mormon Trek Extension? Has any consideration been given to running the path along the back of these properties? The area I am describing would be the bottom of the slope created by Mormon Trek starting at the intersection of Dane Road and Mormon Trek & running toward 218. The reason for my question is that this area is already environmentally interesting and provides quite a bit of natural habitat. If done carefully these qualities could be conserved. Additional outside funding may be available for such a project. The Johnson County Conservation Board would, I think, be a good resource for information. If the trail in this area is to be a sidewalk running adjacent to the road are there any plans for plantings, etc.? Even if the city is unable to afford this type of development now, can anything be done to keep the doors open? Iowa City is making good progress on creating recreational/transportation trails. However many of these trails are bordered by commercial businesses, parking lots, storage facilities. I am sure that you would agree that when possible we can and should do more to conserve and create more natural spaces for people to be able to enjoy. These trails are a great opportunity. Than~¢~our time, Vicky ~na Page 1 of 2 Marian Karr From: Doug Boothroy Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2004 11:43 AM To: 'MEE2212@aol.com ' Cc: *City Council Subject: Response to Mike Emalfarb Mike, i'm the Director of the Department of Housing & Inspection Services for the City of Iowa City and have been asked to respond to your e-mail to City Council concerning the break-in at your apartment. The I.C. Housing Code does require that the doors and windows of all rental units are Iockable. I have been informed by the police department that your landlord(AUR) secured your apartment after the break-in, therefore, there is no current code violation. Concerning your comments about notification, the police made every effort to contact you but were unsuccessful because they didn't have correct contact information. The police department report indicates a note was left by the police in your apartment to contact them upon your return. Also, the investigating officer made several attempts to contact you. The officer called four different telephone numbers in Illinois with either no answer or a wrong number response and over a three week period stopped by your apartment several times to check to see if you were home. In the future when you plan to be out of town for an extended period of time, you may wish to use the police departments "home watch" service which is available to both property owners and renters and involves providing the police information about length of absence and telephone number(s) to use in case of an emergency. I've also talked to AUR about your notification concerns and they indicated being unaware of your absence. Also, they mentioned that your lease requires that you notify them of any absences over seven days(This is a common lease provision). I understand it is AUR's policy to contact a tenant in case of an emergency if they have been notified of an absence and provided with a telephone number. Speaking from the experience of having a break-in at my home, I know how upsetting it is to have your home violated as the result of a break-in, however, informing the police or the landlord or both about out of town plans would very likely have resulted in your being notified about the break-in. I will not be recommending any code amendment to require landlords to provide notification. ..... Original Message ..... From: Dale Helling Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2004 10:45 AM To: Doug Boothroy Cc: Marian Kart Subject: FW: (no subject) Doug, Would you or a staff member in HIS like to respond? Send a cc to Council. Thanks, Dale ..... Original Message ..... From: MEE2212~aol.com [mailto:MEE2212~aol.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 20, 2004 6:21 PM To: Subject: (no subject) Dear Mayor and Council members My name is Mike Emalfarb. I am from Highland Park, IL and a student at the University of Iowa. I currently live at 1/27/04 Page 2 of 2 510 south van buren street which is owned by Apartments Near Campus formally AUR. I left town on December 24, 2003 to Tampa Florda with the rest of my teammates on the football team to prepare to play florida in the Outback Bowl. My place was robbed over winter break on December 31, 2003. I didn't find out about this robbery until I got back to my apartment January 19, 2004.. Not only I find it awful that ANC did not contact me about the robbery they found it efficient to leave a note on the door saying that they fixed the door assuming I was there without giving me a phone call. The police notified ANC about this incident and ANC didn't tell me about it at all ever except for the note inside my apartment. The policeman told me that there are a number of robberies that happen from these apartments as well as many people I have talked to hate the company AUR or now ANC because they don't care about its tenants, they just look out for themselves. ANC does have what they call security cameras, that records periodically and they use the same tape every day to record damage to the building. I know its more than likely that they were recording on New Years ever because crime rate tends to be higher on that night than most nights, and Since they never called me about the robbery I'm sure the tape is erased with the evidence on it. My main concern is the safety of my self and the people who lease from ANC. They own the majority of apartments in Iowa City and people have no choice sometimes because they have to live somewhere and its almost like a monopoly of what they own where people are stuck with them. Because of all the robberies that happen I am asking the Council to adopt an ordinance that requiring landlords that own 10 or more units put more security measures into the buildings to make it safe for people to live in. Any body can enter the apartment building from the exterior doors and I think its best that there be some kind of lock that you can only open with a key from the outside and have a buzzer system installed in the building. As well have 24 hour security cameras in the hall ways so people know what is going on and hire nightly security men to watch these cameras to monitor and review them to see if any crimes do happen before they are erased. I lost 3500 dollars in valuables from this incident and that is not the main concern that bothered me. The main thing that made me frustrated is I wasn't contacted or notified about this incident. It was not a good feeling to walk into my apartment and see a note that my door was kicked in and I was robbed. They have no problem calling me when my rent is 2 days late, but they can't call the tenant about a robbery over Christmas break. I am trying to make sure I live in a safe place and everyone else lives in a safe environment. The landlord should maintain a secure environment and currently they are not securing one at this time. What current ordinances exist that require the landlord to maintain a safe and secure enviorment for their tenants? I would like to put this item on your next available agenda and if you can please notify me at your earliest convience. Thanks for your time Mike Emalfarb phone number (847-373-7799) 1/27/04 Marian Karr From: Chris O'Brien Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2004 10:53 AM To: 'elejohnston@hotmail.com' Cc: Steve Atkins; Marian Karr; Dale Helling; Joe Fowler; *City Council Subject: RE: Parking in downtown ramps Ms. Johnston, Thank you for sharing your questions and concerns regarding your experience from January 18, 2004. We currently allow for a five minute grace period for those choosing to park in our ramps. After this time, all users are charged sixty cents per hour. This grace period is given every hour for our users. In the set up of our system, the on-street metered spaces are to be used for short term visits, causing turnover in those spaces. In your case, you were trying to park on a Sunday. We do not enforce the on-street spaces on Sunday's therefore essentially providing free parking for those people choosing to park on-street. Due te this, the on-street spaces were full and you could not find an available space on-street. In most cases you would have been able to find an open space in the Burlington Street Let, however, with this being a Sunday, this let was full and the Capitol Street Ramp was your best choice. Please let me know if there are any other questions that I can answer for you. Thank you for taking the time te provide us with feedback. Have a nice day. Chris O'Brien Parking Hanager City of Iowa City (319}356-5094 chris-obrien@iewa-city.org ..... Original Hessage ..... From: Eleanor Johnston [mailte:elejohnston@hotmail.com] Sent: Sunday, January 18, 2004 7:39 PM To: council@iowa-city.org Subject: Parking in downtown ramps I am a newcomer to Iowa City, living here less than a year. I haven't visited downtown very often, but was drawn there today (Sunday) to visit the new Starbucks. I couldn't find a spot in a nearby metered spot en the street or the metered parking lot en Burlington Street, se I decided te go into the municipal parking ramp nearby and just walk across the street. It couldn't have taken me mere than 5 minutes to complete my transaction, and then I returned to my car and exited the ramp. I was surprised to learn that I was charged for one entire hour's worth of parking, $.60. This may not seem like a let, but as a matter of principle, and to encourage people to use ramps rather than metered spots, I would think the policy would be to pro-rate portions of the hour (like 20 or at a minimum, 30 minutes) rather than charging a patron for one entire hour~s worth of parking if they stay only 5 minutes into that hour. At least with a parking meter, you can put in less than one hour~s worth of parking if you just have a short errand. In fact, in the cities where I have lived in the past, and at the Mercy Hospital ramp here, if you spend 15 minutes or less you can exit with no charge. I would encourage the Council to be aware of the operating policies which have a huge effect on public relations, not only with citizens but with visitors. If the city actually is trying to promote ramp usage over on-street, I would suggest you make ramp fees less than metered fees. With no pro-ration, it is more expensive to park in ramps. And if closer metered spots downtown are free on Sunday, why do you charge people to park in further away ramps on that same day? To newcomer, your parking policies seem inconsistent. Thanks for your consideration of my opinion. Scope out the new HSN Plus Internet Software -- optimizes dial-up to the max! http://join.msn.com/?pgmarket=en-us&page byoa/plus&ST=l Page 1 of 1 Marian Karr From: Pamela Weest-Carrasco [carrafaml@mchsi.com] Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2004 4:16 AM To: cou ncil@iowa-city.org Subject: Rezoning for Indoor Sports Facility I am writing in support of the rezoning issue which came before the Council regarding the Indoor Sports Facility on the east side of Iowa City. I believe this facility benefits the city in two ways. 1) There are many groups fighting for training space during the winter months. This includes not only soccer (The Iowa Soccer Club and the Iowa City Alliance Soccer Club), but basketball and volleyball. The creation of this facility will add more training space for all these groups. 2) The city benefits because of the close proximity of Sycamore Mall, Hy-Vee, The Java House, etc. Parents can take advantage of the time their children are training to get their grocery shopping done, have some coffee at the Java House or pick up some soccer equipment at Wilson's in Sycamore Mall! More money being spent. The argument that their would be too much traffic with semitrailer trucks does not seem viable since the Iowa Soccer Club's training schedule is generally from 4-10 p.m. Monday through Friday. I would ask that you reconsider your zoning decision. Thank you. Pam Weest-Carrasco 1/22/04 Marian Karr From: Paul Weller [paul-weller@uiowa.edu] Sent: Monday, January 26, 2004 1:00 PM To: council@iowa-city.org Subject: Indoor soccer facility Dear Councilor: I recently read about the request by the president of the iowa Soccer Club te be granted a temporary zoning variance se that the eld R.H. Beggs Company warehouse can be converted to an indoor soccer facility. I strongly support this and am writing te encourage you te grant this variance. Hy sen is a member of the Iowa Soccer Club. In the present situation, in order for him te be able to practice in winter, my wife er I have to drive him either te Wickham Elementary, the Iowa City Recreation Center, er most often, Cosgrove. This last location involves a long drive, often made late at night. It is important that our sen practice throughout the winter, as he is on Iowa's Olympic Development Team and cannot remain competitive if he only plays during the outdoor season. I understand that there are concerns about traffic. However, most of the soccer traffic will occur between 5 and 9:30 p.m. times when most of the businesses in the area have completed their main shifts. Iowa City hah established a strong reputation for its soccer programs. This has been achieved through the tireless cenm~itment ef the coaches ef ISC, Alliance, and Kickers as well as the many volunteer parents who help organize and maintain the clubs. This reputation is also due in no small part te the far-sighted decision of the City to create a dedicated outdoor facility for the Kickers. It seems eminently logical that the Council should build en this foundation and work to further strengthen the City's reputation for soccer by granting the zoning variance. I sincerely hope that you will support the various soccer programs in Iowa City by approving this variance. Furthermore, I would appreciate it if you would let me know your position en this matter. Thanks in advance for your time. Yours sincerely, Paul Weller Marian Karr From: Jeff Davidson Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2004 11:20 AM To: 'garrett-kubik@uiowa.edu' Cc: *City Council; *City Manager's Office; Anissa Williams Subject: Clinton Street handicapped parking space Hello Garrett Kubik. Your message below was forwarded to me for response. A City staffperson field checked the parking space where you received your citation, and found the signage designating the handicapped parking space to be in order. The signage is installed according to the guidance listed in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, which is the federal standard for all traffic control signage. The signs along Clinton Street have a relatively neutral placement (i.e.; facing east rather than north or south) so that they can be seen from both directions. We do not use curb markings on public streets in Iowa City because they are a maintenance problem and are frequently not visible in winter when snow is present. You will occasionally see the handicapped symbol pavement marking, but these are not used consistently because of maintenance problems related to the less durable paints we are now required to use because of environmental issues. We have found signage to be the preferred method of designating handicapped parking spaces, and have received no other complaints about this location. Thank you for your message. Jeff Davidson, Traffic Engineering Planning. ..... Original Message From: garrett-kubik@uiowa.edu [mailto:garrett-kubik@uiowa.edu] Sent: Tuesday, January 20, 2004 8:29 PM To: council@iowa-city.org Subject: Dear Iowa City Council, My name is Garrett Kubik. I am writing to complain about the handicapped parking situation in front of University of Iowa Daum Residence Hall. I was charged and fined for parking in a handicapped parking space on the morning of January 19th. I had traveled from the north on Clinton Street going south. I pulled up to the parking space on the curb directly in front of the building. For ten minutes I unloaded things to and from my car. When I went to take my car to the Hawk Lot, I found a ticket under my wiper. I had no idea that the parking was for handicapped. I looked around and then found the signs. The signs face the East and do not face the North for oncoming traffic. I believe that this is a mistake. The signs should be turned so cars from the north can see them clearly. The parking boundary has white lines instead of blue which makes it even more unclear. There was not even a wheelchair painted on the pavement. I believe it would make more sense to have some sort of pavement 1 markings indicating the handicap zone. After I was ticketed, I watched several other cars without handicap permits park there and escape ticketing. I believe that something should be done to prevent future violations. Thank you for your time, Garrett Kubik Page 1 of l Marian Karr ~ From: Iowa Events and Info [bettycandrews@yahoo,com] Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2004 't 1:56 AM To: cou ncil@iowa-city.org Subject: IMMAWII Gala Reception, Friday January 30 at Hoyt Sherman Join us for the IMMAWII Gala Reception, Friday January 30. Hello. I have received many questions about the I'll Make Me a World in Iowa Gala Reception coming up this Friday, January 30, 2004. I hope these details help. Join us for an exciting opportunity to celebrate community and culture at the I'll Make Me a World formal Gala Reception, Friday, Jan.30, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the newly renovated Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland, Des Moines. Cost is $40 per person in advance and $50 at the door. You will have the opportunity to mingle with I'll Make Me a World in Iowa headliners: Emmy Award Wining Actress, Lynn Whitfield; and New York Times Best Seller Author, Omar Tyree; and enjoy a special performance from the Chicago Bluesman, Fruteland Jackson. The program includes the presentation of the 2004 Heritage Legacy A~vards which recognize outstanding African-Americans and businesses, and the Jazz of Effie Burt of Waterloo and the Bill Davis Band from Davenport. Ticket price includes wine and a special meal consisting of the elegantly served soul food favorites. Iowa First Lady Christie Vilsack and Dr. Mary Chapman, Vice President of Community & Workforce Partnership at DMACC will serve as hosts for the evening. The two co-chair the IMMAWII Advisory Board, which plans the event each year. Attire is after 5 to formal. All proceeds will go to support I'll Make Me a World in Iowa, which offers free programming highlighting the arts, culture and contributions of African-Americans in our state, through out the year. This is one of three major events being presented by IMMAWII this week end that support the organization's mission of highlighting African-American arts, culture, and contributions through education, awareness and preservation. The other two, Education Day, Friday January 30 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm and Celebration Day, Saturday January 31 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm are at the State Historical Building. To R.S.V.P. for the I'll Make Me a World in Iowa Gala Reception contact the Executive Director, Betty C. Andrews at 515-707-IOWA (4692), or bettycandrews~yahoo,com or visit www.worldiniowa.org. Clilck here tbr the l'ormal invitation. 1/27/04 Marian Karr From: Drew Shaffer [dshaffer@avalon.net] Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2004 3:54 PM To: doylesails@iowadsl, net; council@iowa-city.org Subject: cable complaint Dear Mr. Benjamin Doyle; Thank you for your conununication regarding Mediacom. The City of Iowa City has attempted to attract competition for several years by sending packets of economic and demographic information to any and all over builders the City could identify in the U.S. Over builders are companies that intentionally go into a con~munity and build their own infrastructure to compete with the existing cable company. Prior to the dot.com bust the City received a few inquiries. When the dot.com companies failed and the stock market plunged all inquiries ceased. Now that the stock market is back up perhaps interest will resurface. To date no inquiries have come forth. However, the City has and will continue to put forth efforts to attract competition. The matter of rising cable TV rates is of great concern to the City. Two weeks ago the City Council passed a rate settlement agreement that was worked out with Mediacom. This settlement reduced the basic service rate by $2.20 per month to $11.75 per month and is frozen in place until July of 2005. By Federal law the City can only regulate the basic service rate. The cable company is free to set all other rates as they desire. The City makes all efforts to ensure the cable company provides the best customer service. The City provides recourse in the event the subscriber cannot find resolution with the company through the Cable TV Division. The telephone number of the Division is listed on every subscriber's bill as the "Franchise Authority". The Iowa City Telecomn~unications Con~ission {ICTC} is a five member City Council appointed body that oversees all cable TV related matters in Iowa City. They meet once a month, every fourth Monday of the month at 5:30PM, in the City Cable TV office at 10 S. Linn St., Tower Place Parking Ramp on the third floor. This Commission reviews all cable TV complaints, which are then forwarded to the City Council. Once again, thank you for your communication. If you have any further questions or desire to discuss this matter further, please feel free to give me a call. Sincerely, Drew Shaffer, Cable TV Administrator ! City of Iowa City 356-5046 ..... Original Message ..... From: Benjamin Doyle [mailto:doylesails@iowadsl.net] Sent: Monday, January 26, 2004 7:23 PM To: council@iowa-city.org Subject: Mediacom's monopoly on cable service Dear Iowa City Council members- Mediacom apparently enjoys a monopoly on cable TV in Iowa City. The franchise agreement however is a 'non-exclusive' one. Why then are Ehere not competing cable services within the city? There would seem to be two reasons why Iowa City might actively court another competing cable TV provider. The first obvious one is that we citizens would be given a choice in the matter, and as a result, the competing services would lower rates and provide all-around better services. The second-- As disaffected Mediacom customers switch to DirectTV service, Iowa City just stands to lose more and more revenue as described in the Cable TV ordianance{s). 'The first reason however should be sufficient reason for Iowa City to encourage cable TV competion. Sincerely Benjamin Doyle 726 Iowa Ave Apt 3 Iowa City IA 52240 HOLLAND & ANDERSON LLP c. Joseph Holland 123 N. Linn St., Suite 300 jholland~icialaw, com P.O. Box 2820 Lars G. Anderson Iowa City, IA 52244-2820 landerson~icialaw.com Phone: (319) 354-0331 LeAnn Heun Fax: (319) 354-0559 lheun@icialaw.corn January 26, 2004 CD Ernie Lehman Mayor of CiW of Iowa Ci~ '~ Civic Center ~ '- 410 E. Washin~on Iowa Ci~, IA 52240-1826 Dear Ernie: I saw your January 21 memo to the Council in the Board packet. This relates to time limits placed on speakers before the Council. I am in whole hearted agreement with your suggestion that the Applicant in connection with a project be given a block of 15 minutes at the outset of a public hearing to present the Applicant's position on the Application. Some projects are simple or non controversial and will not require that much time. Others, such as Sand Hill, are complex and very difficult to discuss meaningfully in 5 minutes. Reading on down the memo, however, I am concerned about the additional time being based on the assumption that at the previous evening's work session the staff and representatives of the Planning and Zoning Commission will have presented their position. These work sessions are typically without any public input. This gives the staff and Commission members an opportunity to present to the Council one side of the issues, or at best their understanding of an Applicant's position - which may not always be an accurate understanding. Further, the regular formal meetings of the Council are televised, where these work sessions are not. The public has no opportunity to hear what was said at the work session, unless they attend in person. All too often, either the Applicant or, indeed, those who oppose an Application, come into the formal session feeling that the staff has already convinced the Council as to a position in a setting where there is no opportunity for comment or rebuttal by either the public or the Applicant. By the time of the work session the Council has received a written report from staff. It seems more appropriate to me that the staff and Commission's input at the work session should be to responding to questions about the report, rather than giving lengthy presentations advocating a certain position. I have been on both sides of this issue. As you know, I have represented both Applicants and citizen groups opposing a particular project and have appeared in from of the Council from both those perspectives. From either perspective it is frustrating and seems unfair to have accorded the staff an unregulated amount of time in advance of the public hearing to attempt to sway the Council to a position. The same procedure occurs at the public hearing in front of the Planning and Zoning Commission. By that I mean that at the work session on Monday night the staff has an unregulated amount of time to advocate for a position on an Application while the Applicant and members of the public can only observe and have no opportunity to comment or rebut mistakes. While that process probably comports with the letter of the law, I know it has left many Developers and Citizens feeling that the decision was made before the public hearing was ever held. I believe what you have proposed in your memo is a wonderful first step to leveling the playing field for all involved. However, I hope that you and the Council will look at this in the larger context and work to change the perception, if not the reality, and make the public hearing process truly public. Very truly yours, CJH:jbh Marian Karr From: Jack Young [jack-young@mchsi.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2004 2:45 PM To: cou ncil@iowa-city.org Subject: Airport Commission Appointment Greetings, Teday I am submitting my applicatien £er appeintment te the Iowa City Airport Cemmission. I am a lifeleng resident of Iowa City and have been invelved in aviation for many years. I am a self empleyed tax and business consultant, and operate rental preperties in eur community. Hy experience with client businesses include assisting a client with a sraall airport. I believe I bring a combination of business, aviation and convr~unity understanding that will be a benefit in resolving the current issues faced by the Commission. If you wish to visit with me about my application, feel free to contact me at home at 351-8867, or by cell at 530-0641. Thank you. Jack Young 1275 Deerfield Drive Iowa City, IA 52246 319-351-8867 fax 319-351-6428 Marian Karr From: Steve Bender [stbender@mchsi,com] Sent: Saturday, January 31, 2004 9:54 AM To: council@iowa-city.org Cc: Tom Bender Subject: Shakespeare Festival Liquor Permit City Council Members, I urge you to support the requested liquor permit for the Riverside Theatre Shakespeare Festival, held each summer in our city park. Iowa City is so fortunate to have a facility like the Shakespeare Festival Stage, and it's presence broadens the scope of the arts and culture our community has to offer. Current times are hard for the arts. The economy has caused many te curtail their entertainment spending and we are seeing a crisis in many small theater venues around the country. Ticket sales are down, as are charitable contributions. Theaters need te be creative in their appeal for contributors and patrons. The performances at the Shakespeare Festival are all "ticketed" events, and the intent is te make wine and beer available to ticketed patrons ONLY! This provides a reasonable measure of control in the sales of liquor. By supporting Riverside Theatre's request, you will be helping add to an already unique theater experience and help the only professional theater group in our con, unity add a little "something extra" in it's appeal te potential theater patrons. I thank you, in advance, for your support of this request. Respectfully, Stephen T. Bender, DDS, MAGD Riverside Theatre Beard of Directors Marian Karr From: ton clark & jody hovland [jodyandron@ear~hlink.net] Sent: Monday, February 02, 2004 8:53 AM To: cou ncil@iowa-city.org Subject: The alcohol policy for The Rivers[de Theatre Shakespeare Festival Dear Councilors: We are writing to you to express our hope that you will make every effort to support Riverside Theatre's proposal to sell beer and wine during The Riverside Theatre Shakespeare Festival. Not only would patrons enjoy this enhancement of an already wonderful experience, but the very limited and tightly regulated sales of alcohol during the festival would make a big difference to Riverside Theatre. Here are a few salient facts: *On the national level foundation giving to the arts is down over 25% according to Theatre Coz~munications Group-the professional organization for regional theatres *At the state level, our primary funding source, the Iowa Arts Council, will this year take another budget cut of probably another 10% *While private donors still continue to give as generously as they can, across the country arts organizations are seeing their levels of contributed income from the private sector drop-to the point where many long lived and respected arts organizations including theatres are closing their doors for good *Riverside Theatre has lost $25,000 in Grants from The National Endowment for the Arts-not because of a lack of quality in our programming but just because there isn't enough money to go around to all the worthy programs across the country *Ticket sales are down at virtually every entertainment venue in town In the face of all this, Riverside Theatre must find new revenue streams; not to thrive, but to merely survive. A few other facts about this partnership between Riverside Theatre and The City are worth noting: *Riverside Theatre pays approximately $7,000-$8,000 in rent to the Department of Parks & Recreation every year to use the Festival Stage *Riverside Theatre recently made a contribution of over $100,000 worth of seating to help make the Festival Stage the wonderful facility that it and to help the Department of Parks & Recreation realize even more revenues from rentals to private individuals and groups. *A conservative estimate of the profit from beer & wine sales during the festival is $6,000-$7,000-enough to make a considerable difference in the fortunes of a small arts organization *We are not asking for special treatment above and beyond other groups; we can only speak to our particular interest and need to make this happen by this su~ner-if The Council wishes to extend this level of support to other groups, Riverside Theatre would be happy about that as well. It would truly be a shame if the council did not seize this opportunity te enhance this terrific partnership with Riverside Theatre by finding a way to allow sales of beer and wine during The Riverside Theatre Shakespeare Festival. Thanks for your consideration and we look forward to working with you to realize this next chapter in this unique partnership. Jody Hovland Ron Clark Artistic Directors/Resident Artists Riverside Theatre, Iowa City, IA home/office (319) 338-8130 admin, office (319) 887-1360 fax (319) 887-1362 ~.¢ (~_) Page 1 of 1 Marian Karr From: HFADWAV[:@aoI.com Sent: Sunday, February 01, 2004 3:26 PM To: council@iowa-city.org Subject: Variance for Riverside Dear Councilmembers: I urge you to put the variance for Riverside Theatre to allow sales of wine and beer to patrons during the Shakespeare festival on the agenda for your next meeting. I think it will be in the City's best interests as well as the Festival's. It is unlike any other activity at City Park - and being able to include wine with the picnic before the play would be a great addition to the evening. Please support this variance. David Rust 915 E Bloomington St. 2/I/04 ,[--.-..~ 41 ~¢age 1 of 1 Marian Karr From: Schweser@aol.com Sent: Sunday, February 01, 2004 11:01 AM To: council@iowa-city.org Subject: Shakespeare Festival alcohol sales Dear council members, Please consider a variance to allow Riverside Theatre to sell beer and wine at the Shakespeare Festival in the park. Riverside Theatre has a long (25 year) history of being self-supporting, and has not come to the council for money, even when it has been in dire straights. With the funding cuts, and the economic climate resulting in lower ticket sales, theatres of this nature all over the country are closing. Beer and wine sales would be a great addition to the Shakespeare Festival, and would help with RT's budget problems. I don't see any problem with overindulgence, or with underage drinking, and those are the two main concerns associated with alcohol sales. From what I have heard, chief Winkelhake agrees. Every buyer must have a ticket, and people don't go to the theatre to get drunk. It would most likely increase the number of meals sold before the plays, and cut down on the number of people who bring their own wine and beer, which is considerable. That is all more income for RT. This festival is unique in this area, and staff has the ability to closely monitor alcohol sales. In addition to adding significantly to the ambiance, it may help save the festival. Finances have become a major issue.. Council bent over backwards to see that the Englert could start up, please do your best to see that Riverside's Shakespeare Festival continues. It would be a great loss to this community if it didn't. Julie Schweser 1 Acorn Court 2/1/04 Marian Karr From: Ron Logsden Sent: Monday, February 02, 2004 9:51 AM To: 'John L. Krstenansky'; *City Council Cc: Joe Fowler; RJ Winkelhake Subject: RE: No excuse for no service Mr. Krstenansky, The way it is currently set up is that the Police Dispatcher notifies the Street Department when the read conditions deteriorate to the point that the snow plows need to be called in. The dispatcher gets their information from the Police Offices who are out on patrol. The bus routes and main reads are given 1st priority when they are called in. I am always open for reviewing procedures te improve the services provided te our ce~nunity. Thank You, Ren Legsden Ron Legsden Transit Manager Iowa City Transit 319-356-5154 ..... Original Message ..... From: John L. Krstenansky [mailto:john-krstenansky@uiowa.edu] Sent: Monday, February 02, 2004 9:22 AM To: Ron Logsden; *City Council Subject: RE: No excuse for no service Hr. Legsden, Thank you, at least, for taking the time te reply. Perhaps you should work proactively with the streets department to make sure that bus routes are adequately serviced prior to start ef service. You are part of the city so this would seem to be a joint responsibility. Just a suggestion. At 09:12 AH 2/2/2004, Ron Logsden wrote: >Mr. Krstenansky: > >I would like to apologize for the inconvenience te you this morning caused >by our delay in starting bus service due to the ice. In consultation with >the Street Department who advised us te delay starting service and spot >checks ef the road conditions in the residential areas, we made the decision >to delay starting bus service until the read conditions improved. > >We attempted to notify all of the TV (KCRG included)and radio stations of >the delay and were able te make contact with a number ef them and got and >answering machine at others. We had 3 people here answering phones so I am >net sure why you were net able to get through on the phone. The lines were >very busy se it may have been that there were no phone lines available. > >Buses do very well in the snow, but do not get around well at all on ice. >The main reads were not to bad at 6:00 a.m., but many of the residential >street were still ice covered since the main roads were salted/sanded first >and the residential streets were net salted/sanded until around 7:00 a.m. or >after. We began running bus service at 7:00 a.m. when we determined that it >was safe to do so. Coralville Transit also delayed the start of bus service >for one hour. Cambus operates in the campus area on the main streets so >their situation is a little different than ours and Coralville Transit's. > >Again, I apologize for the inconvenience caused by the freezing rain >subsequent delay in service. > >Thank You, >Ron Logsden >Transit Manager >356-5154 Marian Karr From: John L. Krstenansky [john-krstenansky@uiowa.edu] Sent: Monday, February 02, 2004 7:52 AM To: council@iowa-city.org; ron-logsden@iowa-city.org; daily-iowan@uiowa.edu Subject: No excuse for no service I waited at the bus stop early this morning and no bus came. I had to go back home and tried to call the transit service, but there was no answer on the phone. I had to put on hiking clothes and walk the two miles to work. During that walk I ran across other pedestrian co~uters who said that they also were walking because the bus did not come. When I was passing through the university I noticed that CamBus was running without any difficulties. During that walk I also noticed no Iowa City Transit vehicles operating. There was much automobile and commercial traffic including even large panel trucks that were having no difficulty in getting around. When I get te work I checked the Iowa City Transit website but there was no notice of discontinued service and my wife says she heard no announcements en the television (KCRG) . Se the only conclusion that I can come to is that the administration of the Iowa City Transit Service is either unwilling er unable (or both) to perform its duties. First there was no good reason te step services, especially ena morning that perhaps even more people might want te use the service. Second, there was either ne or insufficient notification regarding this unwillingness te provide service. Third, the service was unavailable for dealing with customer issues regarding their unwillingness to provide service. I have lived in Chicago and Boston and relied on their public transit systems. For all of the issues that they have to deal with, they at least provide the service that they are in the business te provide. For a town that claims an elevated consciousness, the lack of utility of a public transit system is inexcusable. A two mile walk is ne big deal for me personally, but perhaps others are not as close, er in as good ef health, or have the appropriate clothing to make such a journey. At a time when so many capable individuals are looking for work, perhaps there should be some openings at the top of the transit authority hierarchy that might make the system operate as it should. Regards, John Krstenansky, commuter Melrose Avenue/Grand Avenue Traffic Study Members, including myself, of the Melrose Avenue neighborhood are grateful to Councilor Vanderhoef for suggesting this traffic study, and to the Council for allowing input from the neighborhood. The consultant, Earth Tech, did an excellent job in coordinating the suggestions from the neighborhood, the City, and the University of Iowa, and in developing the final plan. Taking everything into consideration, this one-way system is the best compromise for the smoothest-flowing traffic in the area, even though it creates some hardship for people from the East end of Melrose wanting to travel West on Melrose (as they first have to go around the system) and there is also some increased difficulty in reaching Lucon Drive from South Grand. The plan is a bit more complex than just a single one-way circle because, for example, there will be two-way traffic on South Grand. This two-way section is most-importantly needed for access to the Emergency Room by emergency vehicles from the West (though if the University had not, over the years, closed off other access routes to the ER this might not have been necessary). The plan was needed to address a very congested traffic area. Its success as a free-flowing operation in the future will depend on not purposefully attracting additional traffic there. For example, no more buildings or ramps that attract large numbers of cars should be built in this area (other than the already planned ramp expansion). Specifically, the University should not build a ramp in the surface-parking lot west of the Athletic Learning Center (Lot 14), as this would attract many more cars into the area, thus negating the well-thought-out plan for smooth-flowing traffic on these City streets. There are many other places for the University to locate ramps that would avoid such a negative effect on this congestion- sensitive area. In the future~ it would be helpful if the University worked closely with the City concerning any planned changes within this area, e.g., new buildings, road closures, etc. In particular, the University should avoid building, or irrevocably altering, structures/streets in the area that would result in closing future options for improving this traffic system. For example, a system based .-~ three lanes rather than two lanes might be needed in the future. The University should also improve the entryways to their properties at the East end of Melrose so that traffic is not obstructed by cars backing out onto Melrose or stopped on Melrose waiting to turn into those properties. One specific additional suggestion is that Eastbound traffic from Lot 14 should exit on Melrose Avenue not South Grand, so that cars exiting the lot and heading west do not have to cross various lanes of traffic on a five-lane South Grand. If such precautions are exercised, this carefully-crafted plan should improve traffic in the area for the future. Finally, I hope that if this system is updated in the future, that once again, neighborhood representation will be included. As a P.S., I would note that there is an error in the report in that it designates me from the non-existent Lucon Drive Neighborhood Association, whereas I am the representative for the Melrose Avenue Neighborhood. Thank you, Jean Walker 02/03/04 Shelter House Community Shelter & Transition Services February 3, 2004 Mr. Steve Atkins and Members of the City of Iowa City Council 410 East Washington Street lowa City, IA 52240 Dear Mr. Atkins, Mayor Lehman, and Members of the Council: As you are aware, we at Shelter House believe that our current facility located at 331 North Gilbert Street is woefully inadequate in terms of space and allowable beds. We have been working informally with you and your staff to try to locate City owned property which might serve as a building site for a new facility. Of the three sites identified, it is evident that the one which extends bet~veen Gilbert Court and Highland Court will best suit our needs and conserve our resources. At this time, we wish to formally apply to the City of Iowa City to purchase that property and build our new facility upon it once the water department's operations are relocated to their new facility. We currently have a $230,000 CDBG award to apply toward the purchase of the land. This grant needs to be applied to the purchase ora building site by June 1, 2004. We, however, seek your guidance as to the correct procedure in submitting a formal application and would ask that you please advise us as to our next step. Thank you very much for your consideration and assistance in this matter. Respectfully submitted, Executive Director, Shelter House 331 North Gilbert Street · RO. Box 3146 · Iowa City, Iowa 52244-3146 · 319-351-0326 THE CHURCH IN IOWA CITY 1014 SUNSET. IOWA CITY. IOWA 52246 21 January 2004 City Council of Iowa City 410 E. Washington St. Iowa City IA 52240 Dear Council Members: As you may know by now, we are very pleased with the unanimous decision made by the Planning and Zoning Commission on January 15th to amend the Commercial Office (CO-1) code to allow us, the smaller churches, to have an adequate place to meet. Our current plan is to close on the 2040 Keokuk property with our bank on January 27th. As we are presently meeting in three different homes on Lord's day (Sunday) moming, and with the cold weather here, we would like to start meeting at the new property as soon as we take ownership and can get the building ready to accommodate all the children and adults. Therefore, we are requesting that you approve this code change at your next Council meeting. We are hopeful that you can also compress the required three readings of the code change into as few sessions as possible. This would thereby allow us to have full approval for the use of 2040 Keokuk as a place of worship for the church in Iowa City. Respectfully, Duane Brenneman Robert Nelson en President Vice-president Secretary 319.430-6410 319.341-9495 319.337-2236 02-03-04 TENTATIVE AGREEMENT CITY OF IOWA CITY AND IOWA CITY ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS IAFF, AFL-CIO LOCAL 510 January 20, 2004 The parties hereby agree to the following changes in the Collective Bargaining Agreement to be in effect from July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2006 (FY05 and FY06) 1. A contract duration of two (2) years. 2. An across-the-board wage increase of 2.75% at the beginning of FY05. 3. Increase annual Holiday Pay as provided in Article VIII from $250.00 ($25 per holiday) to $310.00 ($31 per holiday) effective in FY05. 4. An across-the-board wage increase of 2.75% at the beginning of FY06. 5. Increase each step in the annual longevity payment schedule under Article XXVIII, Section 2 by $50.00 effective in FY06. 6. All other terms and conditions of the Agreement remain unchanged. For the City: / For IAFF Local #610: Dat Date