HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-01-17 CorrespondenceState Historical Society of Iowa '"
The Historical Division of the Department of Cultural Affairs
~amzary 3, 1995
The Honorable Susan M. Horowitz
410 E. Washl-gton Street
Iowa City, IA 52240-1826
RE: St. Mary's Rectory, 610 E. Jefferson, Iowa City, Johnson County
Dear Mayor Horowitz:
We are pleased to info~-i~ you that the above named property, which is located
within your contraunity, will be considered by the State National Register
Nominations Review Committee for nonauation to the National Register of
Historic Places on February 10, 1995. The National Register is the Federal
Government's official hst of historic properties worthy of preservation. Listing in
the National Register provides recognition and assists in preserving our Nation's
heritage.
Listing in the National Register provides the following benefits to historic
properties:
--Consideration in the planning for Federal, federally hcensed, and federally
assisted projects. Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of
1966 requires Federal agencies allow the Advisory Council on Historic
Preservation an opportunity to comment on projects affecting historic
properties listed in the National Register. For further i-formation please
refer to 36 CFR 800.
--Eligibility for Federal tax benefits. If a property is listed in the National
Register, certain Federal tax provisions may apply. The Tax Reform Act of
1986 revises the historic preservation tax incentives authorized by Congress
in the Tax Reform Act of 1976, the Revenne Act of 1978, the Tax
[] 402 Iowa Avenue
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
(319) 335-3916
[] Capitol Complex
Des Moines, -Iowa 50319
(515) 281-5111
[] Montauk
Box 372
Clermont, Iowa 52135
(319) 423-7173
Susan M. FIorowitz
Page 2
January 3, 1995
Treatment Extension Act of 1980, the Economic Recovery Tax Act of
1981, and Tax Reform Act of 1984, and as of January 1, 1987, provides for
a 20 percent investment tax credit with a full adjustment to basis for
rehabilitating historic commercial, industrial, and rental residential buildings.
The former 15 percent and 20 percent investment Tax Credits (ITCs for
rehabilitations of older commercial buildings are combined into a single 10
percent ITC for commercial or industrial bnildings built before 1936. This
can be combined with a 15-year cost recovery period for the adjusted basis of
the building. Certified structures with certified rehabilitations receive
additinnal tax savings because owners are allowed to rednce the basis by one
half the amount of the credit. [The Tax Treatment certified structures with
certified rehabilitations received additional tax savings because owners are
allowed to reduce the basis by one half the amount of the credlt.] The Tax
Treatment Extension Act of 1980 provides Federal tax dednctions for
charitable contributions for conservation pnr~oses of partial interests in
historically ~portant land areas or stn~ctures. For further i,~formation
please refer to 36 CFR 67.
--Consideration of hlatorlc values in the decision to issue a snnCace coal
n~ini,~g permit where coal is located, in accord with the Surface Mining and
Control Act of 1977. For further information please refer to 30 CFR 700
et seq.
--Qualification for Federal grants for historic preservation when fun~ls are
available.
Owners of private properties nominated to the National Register of Historic Places
have an opportunity to concur in or object to listing in accord with tke National
Historic Preservation Act and 36 CFR 60. Any owner or partial owner of private
property who chooses to object to listing is required to submit to the State Historic
Preservation officer a notarized statement certifying that the party is the sole or
partial owner of the private property and objects to the listing. Each owner or
Susan M. Horowitz
Page 3
January 3, 1995
partial owner of private property has one vote regardless of what part of the property
that party owns. If a majority of private property owners obiect, a property ~ not
be listed; however, the State Historic Preservation Officer shall submit the
nomination to the Keeper of the National Register for a determination of the
eligibility of the property for listing in the National Register. If the property is then
detenni,~ed eligible for Ilsting, although not formally listed, Federal agencies will be
required to allow the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation an opportunity to
comment before the agency may fired, license, or assist a project which w~l affect
the property.
The State Nomination Review Committee wi~ review this property for possible
nomination to the National Registe~ on February 10, 1995. The meeting dill take
place at the Jordan House, 2001 Fuller Road, West Des Moines. A meeting
agenda is enclosed.
If you wish to comment on whether the property should be no,n~n~ted to the
National Register, please send your comments to thla office. Comments must be
received prior to the scheduled meeting date.
Should you have any questions about the National Register of Historic Places, or
about thia nomination in particular, please feel free to contact me at the Historical
Building, 600 Locust, Des Moines, Iowa, 50319 - (515)281-8837.
Sincerely,
David Crosson
State Historic Preservation Officer
/el
State Historical Society of Iowa
The Historical Division of the Depai-tment of Cultural Affairs
FIRST QUARTERLY MEETING
STATE NATIONAL REGISTER NOMINATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE
FEBRUARY 1995
Welcome to this meeting of the State National Register NominatiOnS Review Committee. If
you are representing a particular nominated property, please be sure to.sign our public
register. You may, if you wish, request to speak in favor of or in opposition to that
nomination. You can simply be available to arewet any Committee questions if you wish to
do so.
Refreshments will be available for all who attend Committee meetings. Slides are used to
better aid the public in following Committee prigs. Each individual nomination usually
takes from fifteen minutes to half a/1 hour for full consideration. The CommiRee Call
determine to nomlnat~:, to defer judgement or to reject any particular nomination. Accoted
nominations are forwarded for National Park Service review and listing on the National
Register of Historic Places.
9:00 a
Donuts and coffee
OLD BUSINESS
9:30 a
Minutes/Announcements
NEW BUSINESS
10:00 a
10:15 a
10:30 a
10:45 a
The Committee will vote on whether to accept the minutes from the November 18,
1994 meeting.
Big 4 Fair Art Hall
Wickham-De Vol Home
St. Mary's Re. eton/
BREAK
[] 402 Iowa Avenue
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
(319) 335-3916
[] Capitol Complex
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
(515) 281-5111
Montauk'
Box 372
Clermont, Iowa 52135
(319) 423-7173
(Contlm!ed)
Agenda
February SNRC Meeting
Page Two
11:00a
11:30a
11:45 a
12:45 p
l:00p
1:30 p
2:00 p
Fourth Street Historic District
The Sankot Motor Company
LUNCH
Wood, W'filiam Kennlson, Home
West Branch Commercial Historic District (Boundary Increase)
Sylvan Theater Historic District
AD$OURN
Mayor Susan Horowitz
Civic Center
410 E. Washington
Iowa City, IA 52240
Dear Mayor and Council Members:
January 6, 1994
I am planning to open a coffee house at 521 E. Washington and,
have come upon a stumbling block regarding handicapped
accessible parking. According to ADAAG Guidelines, regarding
parking - 4., 4.6.2, Location., "Accessible parking spaces serving a
particular building shall be located on the shortest accessible route
of travel from adjacent parking to an accessible entrance..." The
required parking spaces for this building are in the rear making it
nonaccessible as the ground is one level higher than the front of the
building. We have a large front concrete patio and driveway
adjacent to the front entrance of the coffee shop which is ideal
parking for our handicapped patrons. I have been told that City
Code prohibits parking in that location. For a variety of reasons
(see the attached correspondence), I believe this one handicapped
accessible parking space located on this patio/drive would be in
accordance with the code.
However, since there is so much controvery regarding situations
such as mine, I ask that you please amend the code regarding
handicapped accessible parking or clarify the wording so that otller
small business persons do not encounter the same roadblocks as I
have.
I would appreciate your making this request a priority and seeing to
it that the Planning and Zoning Department makes it a priority on
their agenda also.
Sincerely,
EncJosure
cc: Doug Boothroy
December 23, 1994
Doug Boothroy
Civic Center
410 E. Washington
Iowa City, IA 52240
Dear Doug:
To recap the conversations at our meeting Tuesday, havingA"ake~into
account the 10% reduction allowed by you, the combined parking
spaces required to date are 9, 3 for the residential and 6 for the coffee
shop, one of which must be handicapped accessible.
I have enclosed a parking plan for the lot at 521 E. Washington which
shows 8 spaces. The other 1 required space is on the property at 517 E.
Washington, plan also enclosed. I own both houses. These parking
spaces are in addition to the 7 required by the usage at 517 East
Washington. Parking requirements for the main level could be 1 plus
depending on the usage. When a use is determined for this area, the
parking requirements will be dealt with at that time. Whatever parking
needs are required for that usage could be accommodated by the City
Parking ramp at the corner.
This house at 521 E. Washington was built in 1915. The commercial
zoning boundaries were established in 1962 permitting a commercial
property to abut a residential property. The Iowa City Zoning Code
(1993) Sec. 36-58(h), Sec. 36-58 (c)(3)a.3., and Sec.36-76(j) all are
applicable in allowing for handicapped accessible parking near the front
entrance of the coffee shop.
If you feel there are conflicts between the State Code and City Code
regarding the location of handicapped accessible parking, please refer to
the zoning code, Sec. 36-91 f) (3) Fees - No fee shall be charged for an
appeal or application filed by any officer, department or board of the
City. We would be forever grateful if you as head of the building
department would make this appeal on behalf of the handicapped
residents of Iowa City.
Sincerely,
Nila Haug
cc: Dale Helling
Kevin Burt
Dave Foster
Enclosure
James Harris
219 Ronalds Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52245
January 12, 1995
FROM;
Members of the City Council of Iowa City
Mr. Stephen Atldns, City Manager
Jim Harris, member of the Housing Commission
Request for funds for contracted services to assist recipients of housing
vouchers and certificates to succeed in finding suitable dwelling units
The assisted housing program has been operating with close to 50% of awardees unable to find
suitable rental dwellings units. This has been the case for several years. I am aware that, via the
CDBG, Life Skills has contracted with the City for the services of one half Lt.e~ for the past three
years. The CCN was very reluctant to continue this even for FY'95 for understandable reasons.
I wish to request that the Council allocate from the City budget $35,000.for a contract with Life
Skills for FY'96 to continue and expand these services. With all the effort we have put into cTrY
STEPS, this seems a modest move toward the City's objectives.
The federal housing assistance program has been a godsend all these years. At present we m-e not
able to render sufficient assistance to make major reductions in the number of awardees not able to
fmd suitable dwelling units.
It is clearly more economical to contract with a known entity like Life Skills rather than to expand
the City s staff and alter the present limitations on such asslstance.
I have discussed this with Ms. Fox, director of Life Skills. That agency will provide the full time
services of one housing assistant for $35,000Jcontract year, targeting to assist 70 families.
Methods of operating by Life Skills are well known to the City Staff. They are accustomed to
providing outreach services, flexibly defined.
I did not realize that the Council was to start the process of budget detertidnation titis next week. I
shall be pleased to meet with the Council when appropriate to present this proposal in person.
Many thanks.
Susan Horowitz, Mayor
Iowa City, Ia.
Dear Susan,
I am writing to inform you of my ongoing interest in the
development to a tract of land known as the peninsula. Although I
do not presently own the property we are close to reaching and
agreement. Because the budget for the next three fiscal years are
up for your review I would like to call to your attention two
items which are pertinent to me.
In the section of the proposed budget marked Capital Improvements
Program lgg$ through 20011 call your attention to page S line 3
Foster-West of Dubuque. I would like you to consider moving this
date back to where it was at FY 97 instead of the proposed FY 98.
Also that on page 6 of this same section line 25, North River
Corridor Sewer, that th4s item be left as it is proposed for FY
96,
I thank you for your consideration on this particular matter.
Sincerely yours
David )!aso
'A P A R T M E N T S
January 16, 1995
Mr. Stephen J. Arkins
Civic Center
410 Washington St.
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
Dear Steve:
It is my understanding that the Council will be considering
employing additional people in order. to read the water meters on a
monthly basis. It seems to me, that not only do we not need to read
the meters monthly, but we could set up a procedure whereby the
meters are read once every three months, even though bills are paid
monthly. It would work like this. A monthly average usage of each
meter would be determined. Each mon.th during the first two months of
the three month cycle the customer would pay 105% of the average
monthly cost. Then, after reading the meter for the third month's
billing, the true cost would be determined and the third bill of the
cycle would be adjusted. This would provide the City with a monthly
cash flow -that you indicated was desirable, would give the customers
an accurate measure of usage every three months, and would reduce the
amount of time spent reading meters. One of the reasons cited for
reading the meters on a monthly basis was to detect water leaks
early. Although it is not the responsibly of the City to detect
leaks beyond the meter, it certainly can be a very helpful service to
the customer. However, even with monthly meter readings, there would
be a considerable time lag for the customer to find out that there
may be a leak. A better way to handle this would be through an
education program where the city provides each customer with hints on
how to detect leaks, how to make minor repairs and what the monthly
cost would be for a variety of leaks like a faucet that drips every
second, or a stool that continuously runs a small amount of water,
etc. Spending $90,000 more to read meters to help people save
perhaps $10,000 to $15,000 (I'm guessing on this amount) of wasted
water would appear to be money not well spent. Brochures costing
approximately $12,000 (16,000 meters times 75 cents) probably could
be developed to carry out the education program. We would be saving
$78,000 ($90,000 minus $12,000) and probably would help people save
more water than the monthly meter readings would. This idea is, at
least, worth considering.
I'm nob sure what is going on in regard to the proposals for the
water and waste water treatment plants. There are a few rumors going
around, but it would be better if we could hear officially what is
developing. I am convinced that planning can take place that will
permit the city to put in place rate increases similar to what I
suggested at the December 6th council meeting. When do you think an
Seville
scotsdale Park place Parkside I~lanor westgate Villa
6 Lime Kiln Lane, N.E. · Iowa City, IA 52240 * (3q9) 354-24q0
Emerald Court
update can be presented to the public?
learning how the plans are developing.
I am 1ookin~ forward to~'.
Let me correct some errors in the materials I gave to you and
council members at the December 6th council meeting. I am enclosing
a sheet with the correct information. In essence, the erroneous
information indicated a higher monthly water bill than would have
actually occurred in our proposal for the years 1999, 2000, and
2001. In row'three at the bottom of the sheet, the fi~/res for 1999,
2000, and 2001 should be $41.91,. $44.01, and $46.34 rather than
$44.01, $44.86 and $54.23, respectively. Therefore, the figure
107.6% on .the very last line should be 77.4% rather than 107.6%. I
have re-checked all of the figures with oniy two other errors, each 3
cents or less. Sorry for these errors, but we did it in a hurry to
get it ready.
Sincerely yours,
Edwin~. Barker
Edwin K. Barker
6 Lime Kiln Lane, N.E.
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
History of Water/Waste Water Rate Increases,
Iowa City, Iowa
Usage: 750 CuFt Per Month
(Not Including Sales Tax Or Refuge Pick Up)
1986-1991
1985 1986 1~87 1988 1989 1990 1991
Water Bill $ 5.68 $ 7.38 $ 8.17 $ 8.59 $ 8.59 $ 9.10 $11.35
% Increase 29.9% 10.7% 5.1% 0.0% 5.9% 24.7%
Waste Water $ 3.58 $ 6.63 $10.47 $12.68 $12.68 $13.45 $14.77
% Increase 85.2% 57.9% 21.1% 0.0% 6.1% 9.8%
Combined $ 9.26 $14.01 $18.64 $21.27 $21.27 $22.55 $26.12
% Increase 51.3% 33.1% 14.1% 0.0% 6.0% 15.8%
Previous to 1986, increases were made only in 1981 (twice), 1970 and 1966.
Information readily available went back to 1966
Typical Residential Monthly Combined Water/Waste Water Bill
Usage: 750 CuFt Per Month
(Not Including Sales Tax Or Refuge Pick Up)
Row 1:
Row 2:
Row 3:
City's Initial Proposal
City's Second Proposal
An Annual 11% Increase
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Row 1 $26.12 $35.83 $55.73 $57.12 $59.69 $61.80 $63.41 $64.15
Row 2 $26.12 $35.83 $46.19 $48.93 $55.93 $60.97 $67.04 $67.04
Row 3 $26.12 $28.99 $32.18 $35.72 $39.65 $41.91 $44.01 $46.34
Per cent increase between 1994 and
Row
Row 2:
Row 3:
2001:
145.6%, most of which occurs in the first 13 months.
156.6%, half of which occurs in the first 13 months.
77.5%, with the increase spread out evenly.
PARK ASSOC~TION
SENIOR CENTER
28 S. Unn Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
THIS PUBLICATION WAS FUNDED IN PART BY THE DEPARTMENT
OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES' ADMINISTRATION ON AGING
GRANT, "ENHANCING PARK AND RECREATION AGENCIES'
AWARENESS OF OLDER ADULTS' HEALTH AND LEISURE NEEDS",
#90-AM-0615, AND THE LEISURE AND AGING SECTION OF THE
NATIONAL RECREATION AND PARK ASSOCIATION.
Copyright, 1994
National Recreation and Park Association
2775 South Quincy Street, Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22206
703.820.4940
F .AX, 7.0.3,67.1,.6772
INTRODUCTION
In 1993, the National Recreation and Park Association's (NRPA) Leisure and Aging Section
(LAS) received funding from the Administration on Aging for a 17-month grant project entitled,
"Enhancing Recreation and Park Agencies' Awareness of Older Adults' Health and L~isure Needs".
One of four components of the grant was Grass Roots Action and Advocacy. The purpose of
this component was to provide communities with information and support to assist older adults in
learning about the value and benefits of health promotion/wellness and exercise/fitness. Best
Practice Pro,rams in Leisure and A~in~ was developed to.assist all service providers in offering
diverse, high quality programs, services and activities to older adults. Descriptions and details of
innovative programs and activities are provided for replication by other communities.
In 1992, a Comprehensive Leisure and Aging Study was conducted by NRPA and the
University of Northem Colorado Recreation and Gerontology Programs. This study sought informa-
tion on budgets, staffing, community and user demographics, current programs and services,
collaborative projec{s, popular programs, etc. from older adult service providers in recreation and
park departments and senior centers nationwide. Of the 638 responding agencies, a handful were
identified as either having well rounded programs and services for older adults, or the potential for
improving programs and services. In return for NRPA providing technical assistance, copies of
publications' produced under the auspices of the grant and granting permission to include their
program in a best practice manual, the identified communities supplied specific program information
about one or two selected programs. The information has been compiled in this manual in a format
designed for easy replication by communities of any size, geographic location, per capita income or
cultural identification.
It is hoped that communities will incorporate modifications of these programs into the current
offering of programs and services in an attempt to attract new patrons, increase the variety of
programs offered, and generate an awareness of the needs and diverse capabilities of older adults.
Many thanks to the following communities for contributing demographic, statistical and
programmatic information: Columbus, OH; Garland, TX; Iowa City, IA; Irondequoit, NY; Kennewick,
WA; Lakewood, CO; Portland, ME; and Wethersfield, CT. Special {hanks to the program
coordinators, directors and staff of the communities included in this publication for supplying
comprehensive information, statistics, sample forms, and data about their programs,. services and
communities,
Senior Center Television (SCTV)
Iowa City-Johnson County Senior Center Iowa Ci~ IA
25
Co,111ilWlllJl~)~ Ilackqround
Iowa City, founded in 1839, was Iowa's first planned community. It was chosen
as the capital of the territory and then the state because of its location. The
original economy was dependent on the purchase and sale .of furs, which
disappeared as the farmers arrived drawn by rumors of cheap, fertile land. To
this day, the industries of Iowa are agriculture related. The foresighted founders
of the city chartered the university as they campaigned for Iowa City to be the
capital. As it turns out, the capital was moved to Des Moines, and the University
was moved into the former statehouse. Today, Iowa City is a company town and
the company is the University. The majority of the population of almost 60,000
attends, is employed by, or is in business because of the University of Iowa.
Demoqral, hit~
Population statistics for Iowa City are as follows: Caucasians comprise 90% of
the population, African Americans 2.5%, Asians 5.6%, Hispanic 1.7%, and
American Indian and Eskimo, less than 1%. The median age of Iowa City
residents is thirty-three. 6,500 Iowa City residents are over the age of 55. Per
capita income in Iowa City is $13,277 (1989 dollars).
~iN~iOn
The Iowa City Senior Center mission is to ensure that individuals 55 years and older
have the opportunity to participate in a dynamic array of activities, programs and
services which stimulate personal growth by providing social interactions and an
exchange of skills, talents and creativity. From its inception as a multipurpose
community focal point, the programs and services are evolving to a more holistic,
healthy aging model.
The Iowa City Senior Center is housed in a four-story 28,000 square foot ,centrally
.located 90-year old beau arts facility that offers sophisticated programs designed to
meet the concerns and interests of a very diverse population. This trend was initiated
in the late 970 s when the need for programming for older adults was just recognized
1 '
in Iowa. In Iowa City, three things existed: a vocal visible group of older adults; an
abandoned federal post office; and lots of Community Development Block Grant money.
Once the City com[nitted to the canter as a facility, its pride in the level of quality of city
programs dictated that the building would be staffed and maintained in a manner which
would ensure that it was second to none.
Mfaffilmq
There are 5.5 permanent staff- a Coordinator, a Volunteer Specialist, a Program
Specialist, 1.5 Maintenance workers, one Secretary, a part-time temporary
26
receptionist and a part-time Green Thumb worker - at the Iowa City Senior
Center. Practicum students, work study students and 600 volunteers contributed
28,000 hours of service to make the center work last year.
Proqrma Budqo!
The Center has a budget of $d~~. ,000. Twenty percent of this money comes from
the county so non-city residents may have equal access to the Center. The
budget covers staff, facility and support services, but not programming costs.
Participant fees, grants and gifts cover program costs. The Senior Center has
involved the university community, agencies and the city in their ventures.
Partnerships have allowed for program and service expansion and enhance-
ment.
~ollabornfion#
The Iowa City Senior Center works collaboratively with the following groups:
a local fitness club, Visiting Nurse Association, local restaurants, local
dance studios, county extension office, musical instrument dealer, local
hospitals and AARP.
The mission of Senior Center TV (SCTV) is to promote a positive concept of aging by showcasing
programs, activities and services of interest to older residents and an extended audience.
SCTV videotapes educational, cultural, scientific, service and entertainment programs that occur at
the center. The types of programs are as varied as the participants who use the center and the large
population they serve via Channel 26 and 29 (local cable channels). Although the programming
reflects the mission of the center to cater to an older adult population, much of the programming is
relevant and of interest to persons of all ages. Examples of this include: Celebrating Iowa City's Gifted
and Talented Adults; The Spedal Events Series; the Nutrition Series; Building. Bird Houses; The
Fabulous Friday art openings; and live musical presentations. In addition to airing these programs,
copies are made for the Senior Center's Third Age Library to be checked out by individuals who do
not subscribe to cable.
Since opening in 1981, the Senior Center has consistently offered a wide range of programs and
activities for older adults designed to stimulate and satisfy interest and curiosity, and to enhance
personal growth. In any given week, one can find classes and activities in the arts, literature, health
and fitness, cr~fts, nature, self-sufficiency, current issues, socialization, technology, plus special
events. Due to a limited number of trained volunteers and equipment, SCTVis currently taping and
editing four in-house programs of the 35 offered each month. Because they have no channel of their
own, they depend on Channels 26 and 29 to broadcast their programs.
SCTV History:
The Senior Center commission set as one of their five year goals to conduct more outreach
to improve the image of the Senior Center in the community.
A volunteer with videotaping experience offered to help the Senior Center get into taping.
He researched equipment needs and prices, and made presentations to the Senior Center
commission on needed equipment.
PATV (Public Access'IV) had been anxious to work with older adults and offered to assist
the project. They organized a separate ten-week training session for volunteers and
reserved time on a regular basis at PATV studios for the volunteers.
Ten volunteers were recruited and trained to videotape and edit in-house programs to air
on Channel 26.
The Senior Center Commission approved an initial expenditure of $3,000 from the Gift
Fund to purchase a camera, monitor, microphone, lights and other minimal equipment.
The ten volunteers began immediately to tape in-house programs and air them on Channel
26 and occasionally on Channel 29. Many programs were being taped, but sat on the shelf
waiting for editing and credits, due to limited time allotted for Senior Center use of editing
equipment at PATV.
In 1990, SCTV requested money for editing equipment. The Senior Center Commission
approved another $3,000 for an editing system, video cart and other minor equipment.
The first work-study student was hired in September, 1990. SC'I'V continues to rely on
these students to oversee the program.
SCTV has since moved to a larger spaca in the Senior Center on the second floor. The
Commission approved another $10,000 expenditure from the Gift Fund for equipment
upgrading and additions.
Two of the original volunteers currently work with eight other volunteers on taping four in-
house programs a month, airing them on Channels 26 and 29. They also produce their own
program which focuses on issues related to growing older called Mature Focus, and co-
produce an informational program with Channel 29 called From the Mezzanine.
Future plans and goals are to:
· obtain and program their own channel with Senior Center programs, movies and informa-
tion of interest to older people;
· obtain enough equipment to ensure a quality product;
· secure the services of a permanent city employee who will supervise a work study
student and oordmate volunteers;
C '
· train older volunteers in all techniques of video from pre- to post-production;
· offer older volunteers, through involvement in SCTV, the opportunity to learn new
technology, apply old skills, build self-esteem, and fill a need in the community;
· videotape activities at the Center and air them on cable 'IV for those unable to get to the
Center;
· produce original programs which cover topics of interest to older people and others;
· offer videotaping technique classes to older people who purchase camcorders for
27
28
personal use;
,respond to the needs of other service providers, by offering publ'c service announcements
to the older adults in the community;
· build a video archives of historic importance highlighting older people and important
topics in the county;
°produce promotional tapes in a timely fashion which can be used on air or in speaking
engagements;
· provide videotaping, at a nominal fee, for other service providers to enhance their
outreach efforts; and
· increase the capacity to offer a full day of programming including: daily talk show;,
educational films; movies with older adults as the protagonists; in-house programs
presented live; information on local agencies and services for older adults; etc.
Trends are toward interactive TV.
SCTV was selected by the Iowa Department of Elder Affairs to receive the 1994 outstanding program
or special project award for volunteer service to the State of Iowa, and a 1994 Mature Media Merit
Award in the category of TV Reporting for Mature Focus.
Target Audla~e
SCTV is intended for three audience groups: homebound older adults or
older people who could not attend a program at the Center; older people who do
not use the Center, but can benefit from the information; and the general
population to enhance their knowledge and understanding of and sensitivity
towards older adults and aging issues.
There are no fees charged for the SCTV program- only Center programs
are videotaped. Costs include purchase and maintenance of equipment, salary
of the volunteer specialist and stipend for the work study students.
Because this is a volunteer program, the Center's volunteer specialist is
ultimately responsible for SCTV. She recruits SCTV volunteers, and hires/supervises
temporary and work-study students.
Currently, SCTV has one 10 hour/week temporary employee who oversees the
department, and one 10 hour/week work-study student who assists the temporary
employee with volunteer training and daily word. Efforts have been made to recruit
community volunteers to work with SCTV, but this has not been as successful as the
staff had hoped.
Ideally, SCTV needs a permanent full-time employee who would stay with the job
several years to mainta n continuity w th equ pment and volunteers. The individual who
is hired to run sc'rv must possess very specialized video pre- and post-production
skills, be proficient in the use of a video toaster, possess administrative skills and be
able to coordinate and train older volunteers. It has become difficult to find a temporary
29
or work-study student with the necessary skills to fill this position. When SCTV staded,
minimal equipment was available. In the last few years, the program has become more
sophisticated and high-tech. The end result is that the finished product looks more
professional - more like real television. However, this has created the need to hire an
individual with specialized skills to run the program. It is more and more difficult to find
an individual with this skill level willing to work for less than $6.00/hour.
Anyone can produce their own television with a minimum of equipment:
ol video camere ( super VHS produces a professional quality finished product)
· 1 editing system or access to one
· a character generator or access to one
oa tripod
oa microphone
,lights
,necessary cables and other miscellaneous connectors
,access to a channel to air programs
SCTV currently has 2 S-VHS video cameras, 1 used three-tube Sharp camera,
1 S-VHS editing system, 1 Amiga 2000 computer ~th video toaster and on-board time-
based character generator, 3 mini-omni lights with stands, 2 lavelier microphones, 1
hand-held microphone, 2 tripods, 1 audio recorder/player, miscellaneous cables,
connectors and adapters.
Training is provided when participants choose to volunteer with the Senior
Center program. Individuals who volunteer with SCTV receive the most extensive
ongoing training of any volunteer program offered at the Center. SCTV volunteers are
first asked to enroll in basic video training workshops at PA'P¢. These volunteers are
then able to use PATV equipment that is not available at the Senior Center. After basic
training at PATV, the work-study video specialist offers group and one-on-one training
to SCTV volunteers in all aspects of pre-production, production and post-production.
This includes script writing, story boards, effective camera techniques, editing, com-
puter graphics, lighting and audio techniques. More experienced SCTV volunteers
share in the training of new volunteers by pairing up with them to tape and edit in-house
programs.
Initially, a series of classes, beginning with camera techniques and proceeding
to production and post-production were organized. Currently, instruction is almost
always one-on-one, with the volunteer deciding in which area they need help. Occasion-
ally, group refresher classes are given on "How to Create the Right Audio Environment"
and "How to Use the Camera's Audio Equipment", general instruction on the toaster,
overview of camera techniques, etc. Newvolunteers are assigned t(1 workwith a current
volunteer on camera techniques, then they work with the same or another volunteer on
taping in-house programs several times until comfortable with the camera. At that point,
the new volunteer schedules one-on-one time with the video planner or work-study
student to begin instruction on editing and then the toaster. Experienced volunteers
also work with new volunteer. s and with each other at the edit bay and with the toaster.
30
Mark~.o arid AdverfiMHO
The Senior Center publishes its o~ monthly newspaper, which is utilized
when reciting older volunteers, ~enever new equipment has been pur-
chased, and to adve~ise when ~nter programming will be aired on the ~o Io~1
access ~annels.
The Center tries to share info~ation about SCW in Io~1 newspapers as
often as ~ssible. Feature a~icles have been ~en about SC~ at least once
a year bemuse television by"senior citizens" is seen as unique and novel by the
media. The Io~1 media enjoy ~vering SC~ as a volunteer oppo~uni~ during
National Volunteer Week.
The Senior Center and SC~ am self-promoted as a paA of the ~
programming with beginning and ending credits, voice~vem, etc. The Center
and SC~ have been the feature stories on SC~s o~ Mature Focus and on
Iowa Public Television. The Io~1 ~ Guide lists SC~ programming weekly.
See ~pendix
therefore, a City department, and istechnically supported bythe Citygovemment's
television department. This department does provide some technical support,
some assistance taping large productions and airs SCTV programs, but does not
lend financial support. The City Council has approved funding for the work-study
student, but not for the SCTV program.
The Senior Center currently has no funding for SCTV. All equipment has
been purchased with money from the Center's Gift Fund. An application has
been submitted to become a part of the re-franchising of the cable company,
which should be completed by fall, 1994. Although the request for funding for
a part-time staff person was denied, the Center may receive $20,000-25,000 for
new equipment from a fund reserved for replacement costs.
80uroa for h~lru~rVgp~aker~/01u~eers
The video planner and work-study students from the Communications
Department at the University of Iowa are non-older adult volunteers. Other
sources for support come from Student Video Productions, Rublic Access
Television, Government Access -Television and local television stations.
Older adult volunteers are usually recruited through the POST, the
Center's monthly newspaper. Offering classes on how to operate camcorders
has also attracted new volunteers. At the end of these classes, the participants
are treated to a tour of the SCTV studio. This usually generates at least one new
volunteer every timel
Guests who appear on Mature Focus and From the Mezzanine are either
individuals offering a class oractivity at the Center or are Center participants who
have a skill or talent to share.
31
See Appendix
The Iowa City Senior Center is a city-owned 18,000 square foot building
which is completely accessible and air conditioned. All Center programming
occurs within this building, making it easy for SCTV volunteers to get their
equipment to the taping site.
SCTV is housed in a 330 square foot room on the second floor of the
Senior Center. All the equipment is stored there, and this area ser~es as a studio
when needed. This set-up is not ideal, as the room is not sound proof, there is
no control room, studio lighting, etc.
The following are suggestions and recommendations from the Iowa City
Senior Center Director: Any organization can produce their own television
programming. You 'need to have local access stations in your area to air your
programs. It is particularly helpful if local access is supported by your community
for the assistance they can give you. If you do have an access cerlter in your
community, this would be the place to begin. Public access' role is to help
individuals and community groups produce television. Most access centers
provide training, equipment and staff support for little or no cost.
For mor~
Bette Meisel
Iowa City/Johnson County Senior Center Director
28 South Linn Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
319.356.5220
319.356.5009 (FAX)
Water Meter Readins Proposals
January 17, 1995
Edwin K. Barker
Addendum to Letter To Steve Atkins Dated January 16,
1995
Read Meters
Once A Month
Read Meters
Every 3 Months
Additional Employees
$90,000 / 3 people /
40 hrs / 52.14 weeks =
$14.38 per hour
$ 90,000
Fewer Employees
-$30,000 (A guess)
Auto Expense
Postage
16,000 meters x $.32
x 8 months = $40,960
$ 40,960
Paper Per Billing
$.10 x 16,000 meters x
8 months (Just a guess)
$ 12,800
Educational materials
16,000 meters x $.75
$ 12,000
Other Costs ? ?
Totals $143,760 -$ 18,000
Savings:
$143,760
$ 18,000
$161,760
Just to be conservative, let's say that it would cost $130,000 less
to read the meters once every three months than it does to read them
each month. The annual water department revenue is approximately
$3,656,100~ If operating costs are reduced, or .in affect not
increased, by $130,000, we are saving an average of 3.56% on each
customers water bill.
This procedure assumes using a coupon system for the two out of three
months that the meters are not read whereby customers would pay their
monthly estimates without receiving a bill. This is how we save
$40,960 per year in postage.