HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-02-24 Info Packet CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION PACKET
(~ITY OF |OWA (~ITY February 24, 2005
www.icgov.org
IP1 City Council Meetings and Work Session Agendas
IP2 City Conference Board Meeting February 28, 2005
IP3 Memorandum from the City Attorney: Student Government Proposal for "Non-Voting
Student Member of City Council"
IP4 Letters regarding Gilbert-Linn National Register Nomination
IP5 Memorandum from the City Clerk: Summer Schedule
IP6 Memorandum the City Clerk: City Council Packet Distribution
IP7 Memorandum from the City Manager and City Clerk: Work Session Discussion Items
I MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
IP8 Memorandum from the Mayor: Participation in Board and Commission Meetings
IP9 Memorandum from Council Member Dee Vanderhoef: Approved items from Paratransit
Committee meeting
IP10 Memorandum from the City Manager: Small Bus Experiment
IPll Memorandum from the Transit Manager to the City Manager: Big 10 Wrestling Tournament
IP12 Letter from the Director of Traffic Engineering Planning to Lexington Avenue residents
between Park Road and River Street: Lexington Avenue Traffic Calming Barricade
IP13 Memorandum from the Senior Housing Inspector to the City Manager: Response to letter
from Greater Iowa City Apartment Association to City Council, dated February 15, 2005
IP14 Housing and Inspection Services Customer Service Survey: February 2005
IP15 EClCOG Meeting Thursday, February 24, 2005 [From Mayor Pro rem Wilburn]
IP16 Police Department Use of Force Report: January 2005
IP17 Minutes [Approved]: Economic Development Committee: February 1,2005
IP18 Minutes [Approved]: Scattered Site Housing Task Force: December 13, 2004
Februar~ 24, 2005 Information Packet /continued/ 2
PRELIMINARY DRAFT/MINUTES
IP19 Public Library Board of Trustees: January 27, 2005
IP20 Public Art Advisory Committee: February 2, 2005
IP21 Airport Commission: February 10, 2005
IP22 Scattered Site Housing Task Force: February 14, 2005
IP23 Scattered Site Housing Task Force: January 24, 2005
IP24 Scattered Site Housing Task Force: January 31, 2005
IP25 Airport Commission: February 16, 2005
~ City Council Meeting Schedule and
~ Work Session Agendas February24,2005
CITY OF IOWA C~TY
www.icgov.org
· MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28 Emma J. Harvat Hall
6:30p City Conference Board Meeting
Separate Agenda Posted
Council Work Session
· Planning and Zoning Items
· Student Government Proposal for Non-Voting Student Member of City
Council
· Gilbert-Linn National Register Nomination
· Agenda Items
· Council Appointments
· Council Time
· Summer Schedule
· Electronic Packets
· Work Session Discussion Items
· Identification of Priorities for Discussion
· TUESDAY, MARCH 1 Emma J. Harvat Hall
7:00p Regular Formal Council Meeting
FUTURE MEETINGS AND AGENDAS J
I
TENTATIVE
· FRIDAY, MARCH 4 Emma J. Harvat Hall
12:00p Luncheon Meeting with Area Legislators
· MONDAY, MARCH 21 Emma J. Harvat Hall
6:30p Special Council Work Session
· TUESDAY, MARCH 22 Emma J. Harvat Hall
7:00p Special Formal Council Meeting
· MONDAY, APRIL 4 Emma J. Harvat Hall
6:30p Council Work Session
· TUESDAY, APRIL 5 Emma J. Harvat Hall
7:00p Regular Formal Council Meeting
· MONDAY, APRIL 18 Emma J. Harvat Hall
6:30p Council Work Session
· TUESDAY, APRIL 19 Emma J. Harvat Hall
7:00p Regular Formal Council Meeting
· WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27 Coralville CityHall
4:00p Joint Meeting
Meeting dates/times/topics subject to change
FUTURE WORK SESSION ITEMS
Regulation of Downtown Dumpsters
OFFICE OF THE
IOWA CITY ASSESSOR
JOHNSON COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
DENNIS BALDRIDGE
ASSESSOR
CAROLYN BURKE
DEPUTY
BRAD COMER
DEPUTY
February 23, 2005
Dear Conference Board Member:
The meeting of the Iowa City Conference Board for the public hearing on the Iowa
City Assessor's FY 2006 budget is scheduled for Monday, February 28, 2005 at 6:30
P.M. at the Iowa City Civic Center.
Enclosed for your review before the meeting are:
1. The Agenda.
2. A copy of the January 31, 2005 minutes.
3. A revised salary survey showing longevity.
4. A copy of the FY06 Itemized Budget.
If you have any questions about the budget please feel free to phone me at the office
at 356-6066 or at my home at 688-2661.
Sincerely,
Dennis Baldridge
Iowa City Assessor
913 SOUTH DUBUQUE STREET · IOWA CITY IOWA 52240
TELEPHONE 319-356-6066
February 23, 2005
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
The Iowa City Conference Board will meet at 6:30 P.M. on Monday February 28, 2005
at the Iowa City Civic Center. The purpose of this meeting is to hold a public hearing
on the Iowa City Assessor's proposed budget for FY 2006.
AGENDA:
1. Call meeting to order by the Chairperson.
2. Roll call by taxing body.
3. Act on minutes of January 31,2005 Conference Board meeting.
4. Public Hearing on budget.
5. Adopt budget.
6. Other business.
7. Adjournment.
Dennis J. Baldridge
Clerk, Iowa City Conference Board
IOWA CITY CONFERENCE BOARD MINUTES
January 31, 2005
City Conference Board: January 31, 2005, at 6:34 P.M. in the Council Chambers at
the Iowa City City Hall. Mayor Ernie Lehman presiding.
Iowa City Council Members Present: Bailey, Champion, Elliott, E. Lehman,
O'Donnell, Vanderhoef, Wilburn.
Johnson County Supervisors Present: Harney, M. Lehman, Neuzil, Sullivan.
Iowa City School Board Members Present: Morgan, Wallace.
Others Present: Baldridge, Burke, Comer, Atkins, Helling, Dilkes, and Karr.
Tape Recorded: Reel 05-12, Side 2.
Chair Ernie Lehman called the meeting to order and clerk Baldridge called roll and
stated that a quorum was present.
The City moved to accept the minutes of the last Conference Board meeting, March
1, 2004, the Schools seconded and the motion carried 3/0.
Iowa City Assessor Baldridge presented his FY '06 Assessment Expense Fund
budget. The increases are $17,200 for a five percent cost-of-living increase in
salaries and $9,600 for a five percent merit increase for the assessor and two deputies,
$2,050 for an increase in FICA, $9,090 for an increase in health insurance costs, $100
for and increase in publications and subscriptions, $700 for an increase in schools and
conferences, and $200 for an increase in dues. Reductions were $7,250 for a decrease
in IPERS, which had a one year increase last year for Board of Review, $5800 for a
decrease in postage, an alternate year expense, and $1300 for a decrease in printing,
also an alternate year expense.
Funding for the Special Appraisers Fund of $42,504 is requested. The Special
Appraisers Fund adds $1500 to the car replacement fund, $2500 to the computer
replacement fund, and $2500 to the leave contingency fund.
A discussion was held about the five percent cost of living increase before the City
moved to change the increase to three percent, the Schools seconded, and the motion
passed 2/1 with the County dissenting.
After discussion about the merit increase, the Schools moved to approve the budget
for publication with a five percent increase and the County seconded. The City
moved to amend the amount to four percent, but there was no second and the motion
passed at five percent, 2/1 with the City dissenting.
The County moved to set the public hearing for February 28, 2005 at 6:30 P.M. at the
Iowa City City Hall, the City seconded and the motion carded 3/0.
There being no other business it was moved by the City and seconded by the Schools
to adjourn 7:07 P.M.
Dennis Baldridge
Clerk, Iowa City Conference Board
SALARY SURVEY
Assessor Chief Deputy Deputy Assessed_Value 2000 Year
~.ank Jurisdiction Salary Salary Salary (in millions) Population* Appointed
~ Polk County $96.683 $90.178 $67.346 23.585 374,601 1984
2 Cedar Rapids $86,388 $82,274 $62,873 6,920 120 758 1983
3 Ames $86.254 $64.970 50.731 1980
4 Pottawattamie County $82,891 $66,312 $66,312 87 704 2004
5 Johnson County $77.420 $63.539 3,622 48.786 2002
6 Davenport $74,954 $71.663 5,622 98.359 1979
7 Sioux City $74.081 $59.265 $51.857 3.125 85. D13 1980
8 Dubuque (City) $73.969 $60,046 3,204 57,686 2001
9 Cerro Gordo County $73.500 $58.800 1.215 17275 1979
10 Story County $73.440 $59.365 1,644 29,250 2004
11 Muscatine County $73.144 $48.647 $40.406 2.131 41 722 1992
12 Linn County $72,210 $64,998 $54,252 4,237 70943 1985
13 Black Hawk County $72.100 $54.100 $50.650 6.481 128.012 1991
14 Scott County $71.561 $64,855 $57,284 4,166 60~309 1983
15 Dubuque County $70.639 $56.511 2.046 31 457 2005
16 Woodbury County $69,830 $48,880 998 18.864 1987
17 Iowa City $69,560 $59,130 $50,470 3,140 62,220 2002
18 Marshall County $63,508 $49,411 1,628 39,311 1977
19 Dallas County $63.063 40.750 2004
20 Warren County $60,900 2,120 40.671 1996
22 Mason City 557.200 1.250 29.172 1982
24 Clinton (City) $56t180 1.009 27.772 1982
*City population has been deducted
from counties with a city assessor.
ITEMIZED BUDGET - ASSESSMENT EXPENSE FUND FY 2005 FY 2006
ITEM # EXPENDITURE
SALARIES
36 CITY ASSESSOR $69,560 $76,690
37 FIRST DEPUTY 59,130 651190
37 SECOND DEPUTY 51,730 59,880
40 REAL ESTATE CLERK 40,040 42,040
40 CLERK/APPRAISER 33,330 35,000
40 CLERK/ACCOUNTING 35,830 37,620
36,37,40 LONGEVITY 2,675 2,675
TOTAL SALARIES $292,295 $319,095
OTHER EXPENDITURES
39 BOARD OF REVIEW $10,500 $10,500
41 EMPLOYER SHARE: FICA 23,170 25,220
42 EMPLOYER SHARE: IPERS 26,200 18,950
43 HEALTH INSURANCE 62,290 71,380
44 MILEAGE & AUTO 1,600 1,600
45 OFFICE SUPPLIES 3,500 3,500
46 POSTAGE 7,000 1,200
47 TELEPHONE 1,000 1,000
48 PUBLICATIONS, SUBSCRIPTIONS & DUES 600 700
49 PRINTING 1,800 500
50 APPRAISAL SERVICE 600 600
51 INSURANCE 3,500 3,500
52 SCHOOLS & CONFERENCES 7,800 8,500
53 APPEALS TO COURT & LEGAL FEES 27,000 27,000
54 EQUIPMENT PURCHASE 3,400 3,400
55 EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE 200 200
56 UNEMPLOYMENT 2,000 2,000
57 CONFERENCE BOARD 0 0
58 EXAMINING BOARD 30 30
59 BOARD OF REVIEW EXPENSES 200 200
60 DATA PROCESSING SERVICES 14,000 14,000
61 SOFTWARE MAINTENANCE 14,000 14,000
62 DUES 1,400 1,600
63 BONDS & WORKER'S COMPENSATION 1,200 1,200
TOTAL OTHER EXPENDITURES $212,990 $210,780
TOTAL BUDGET $505,285 $529,875
UNENCUMBERED BALANCE -$45,353 -$49,294
TO BE RAISED BY TAXATION $459,932 $480,581
BUDGET - SPECIAL APPRAISERS FUND FY 05 FY 06
MAPPING & APPRAISAL $11,081 $10,881
CAR REPLACEMENT 3,171 4,671
RE-APPRAISAL FUND 15,202 14,452
LEAVE CONTINGENCY 7,500 10,000
COMPUTER REPLACEMENT 2,500 2,500
DP SOFTWARE PURCHASE 7,500 0
TOTAL $46,954 $42,504
UNENCUMBERED BALANCE ($31,583) ($16,509)
TO BE RAISED BY TAXATION $15,371 $25,995
GRAND TOTAL TO BE RAISED BY TAXATION $475,303 $506,576
MAXIMUM LEVY ALLOWED
MAXIMUM ASSESSMENT EXPENSE FUND 2,095,675,841 X .00027 $565,832
IPERS & FICA FUNDS $44,170
UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION & TORT LIABILITY $4,000
MAXIMUM FOR ASSESSMENT EXPENSE FUND $614,002
MAXIMUM SPECIAL APPRAISERS FUND 2,095,675,841 X .000405 $848,749
MAXIMUM ALLOWED WITHOUT STATE APPROVAL $1,462,751
MAXIMUM EMERGENCY FUND 2,095,675,841 X .00027 $565,832
(requires State Appeal Board approval)
MAXIMUM THAT COULD BE RAISED BY TAXATION FOR FY 2006 $2,028,583
PRIOR YEARS LEVIES AND RATES
EXPENSE FUND SPECIAL APPRAISERS FUND
FY AMOUNT LEVIED LEVY RATE AMOUNT LEVIED LEVY RATE
1995-96 303,281 0.20446 30,000 0.02023
1996-97 319,513 0.2045 17,000 0.01088
1997-98 318,270 0.19946 52,834 0.03311
1998-99 318,699 0.19269 184,357 0.11146
1999-00 341,910 0.19784 352,508 0.20398
2000-01 359,341 0.19823 180,293 0.09946
2001-02 396,829 0.20636 6,442 0.00335
2002-03 403,136 0.20694 4,426 0.00227
2003-04 412,379 0.20818 10,051 0.00507
2004-05 470,398 0.22926 15,728 0.00767
2005-06 480,581 0.22932 25,995 0.01240
I 0 W A C ! T Y
RANDUM
Date: February 22, 2005 ~)
To: City Council
From: Eleanor M. Dilkes, City Attorne
Re: Student Government Proposal for "Non-Voting Student Member of City Council"
I have reviewed the student government's proposal for a non-voting student member of the City
Council. The proposal states: "The responsibilities of the student member of the Iowa City City
Council will be analogous to other members of City Council, as per the Iowa City City Council
Charter, with one exception: the University of Iowa student will be a non-voting member of the
Council." The proposal as worded is problematic because a person who is not elected to the
position of Council Member cannot, for any purpose, be a Council Member under State law and
the City Charter.
The proposal was presented as being similar to the position of the student representative to the
Ames City Council. Attached is the Ames resolution for appointment of a student liaison to the
City Council of the City of Ames. I understand from the Ames City Attorney that while the official
title of the student is "Student Liaison" the person is referred to as the "Student Representative".
I am told that this student sits at the Council's dais and participates in Council's discussions
without voting on all matters before the Council.
There is not a legal impediment to establishing a "student liaison" to the City Council similar to
that established by the Ames resolution.
I will be available at your work session to answer any questions.
Attachment
cc: City Manager
Assistant City Manager
City Clerk
eleanor/rnem/student-rep.doc
02/02/05 WED 12:05 ~AX 5152395142 CITY OF A~IES
mp~ ~ Pho~ ~
I
IOWA
Oovo~mo~t o~ S~8~t ~od7 and wi~ ~o s~dents
i~uos o~co~oa ~ac~ to s~do~ ~d tho Ci~;
~~, it ~ dOto~ed ~at ~o appo~ent o~ a perso~ to so~¢ ~ a dcsi~a~d s~d~t
liaisoa to ~ Ci~ ~o~cil w~ se~o woll to ~p~ovo co~caUo~
~e ~dent at Iowa S~te U~versi~ m ~e posi~on of non-yegg eX-o~cio S~dent Li~son~ ~e ~s
~Oc~on Tw'o. ~o Smd~t Limso~ or desi~t~ alternate,
~ Co~cil ~Chi~g Co,oil work s~siom.
~ , ~. ~o ~c~ ~Co~c~ sh~ s~ ~i& ~ ;t o~h co~c~ Work session ~or a~
S~ent Lia~on ~ ~ve a repo~ on s~d~t-ci~ rela~ons, ffn~ess~.
~ar ~d ~ecial me'e6ngs on ~sues relating to ci~-~d~t mla~ons or on ~Y ag~da item, spea~ng
d~ ~e ~me a~ o wed for pub ~c comm~ ~d at ~e ~e allo~ed for Co~ m~b~ comm~ at
cOncl~on of~e Co~ m~. ~e S~dent Li~son sh~ be ~ a~d~ce at ~ Co~c~ wo~
s~sio~, ~d ~y be ~te~ to ~it at ~e work session ~ble for it, s Concemi~g'ci~-s~dent'~sues..
S~on~ive. ~e S~d~t ~son sh~l~de ~o~oa to smd~ ~ ~is~eS ~t wo~d
~t ~em~
~. Selection ora person to be appointed by the City Council as Student Liaison shall be
the'President °fthe government of the Student Bodyor his/her designee. AperSon to be apPointedbythe
CityC°uncil as alternate' shall be app°inted bythe President ofthe Government ofthe S~udent Body, Tke
.Alternate shall attend meetings of the Ames City Council in place of the Student Liaison V~hen thc Student
Liaison is abs~ent from the City, ill, or for some other reason unable to attend the City Council meeting.
The Alternate sha~l~ become the Student Liaison in the even{ tho person appointed as Student Liaison ceases
to bo a registeredas at least a half-time student at Iowa State University, or is rc~noYed from office by
resolution of the City Council. · ' '
~. The President of the Government of the Student Body shall be responsl~olo for
advertising for the positions of Student Liaison, if a designee is desired, and Alternate, creating an
application form, and facilitating resumes and cover letter collection.
02/02/05 WED 12:06 FAX 5152395142 CITY OF ^MRS ~002
Section Bight. The criteria for selection of persons to be appointed as Student Liaison and
Alternate shall be:
a) a registered student, enrolled at least half-time, at Iowa State University whose address
is also in the City of Ames, Iowa;
b) a student with leadership, communication skills, desire to serve, and applicable
experience;
c) a student whose schedule will permit the appointee to attend every meeting o£the'City
Council, including during the summer months of Sune, July, and August;
d) a student dedicated to serving in the best interests of the relationship between the City of
Ames, Iowa and the students of Iowa State University who live in the city.
SectionNine. The Student Liaison shall notifythe City Clerk if he or she will not be able to attend
a City Council meeting, and arrange for the Alternate to attend in his or her place.
Section Ten. Upon the recommendation of the President, or an initiative of the City Council, the
Student Liaison may be removed for any oftha following reasons:
a) two unexcused absences;
b) faflur~ to competently act as a liaison between the city and students;
inappropriate behavior at Council meetings;
d) inappropriate behavior outside of Council meetings that is detrimental to the interest ofthe
students and the City.
Section Eleven. The President of the Govermnent ofthe Studcnt Body shall be~n interviews for
the position of Student Liaison, if a designee is desired, and Alternate on a schedule that allows an
opportunity for the City CoUncil to make the appointments not later than May l, 2003. The President of
'the GSB shall act as the interim Student Liaison, and his designee as Alte,mate, until May l, 2003.
Section TWelve. The Student Liaison and Alternate shall serve a te~n~ of one year, from May 1
to May l, of each year.
~i~L~hiI~iy.~. The Mayor shall make arran~qements with the President of the Government of
the Student Body for the prompt and orderly completion of these actions.
Done this 25th day of . February , 2003~~
'.. '.' Diane iL Voss, City Clerk Ted Tedesco, Mayor
'..R146
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY MemorialUnion
Ames, Iowa 5oo~
Government of the Student Body 294-1585
FAX 5~5 294-5239
www.gsb.iastate.edu
SENATE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE STUDENT BODY
SENATE MEETING JANUARY 26, 2005
SENATE RESOLUTION 2004-3-052 SR
TITLE: Supporting Community Relations Across Iowa
WHEREAS: The University of Iowa Student Government (UISG) recently passed a proposal
endorsing a proposal for an ex-officio student member to be placed on the Iowa
City City Council, and
WHEREAS: The City of Ames and the Government of the Student Body (GSB) have had a
similar partnership for several years, and
WHEREAS: This partnership has been invaluable in furthering our mutual goal of improving
communication between entities, and an important first step in our continuing
mission to improve overall community relations, and
WHEREAS: Other communities in Iowa with large university populations should be able to
reap similar benefits, be it therefore
RESOLVED: That GSB supports UISG's proposal for a nonvoting member oftbe Iowa City
City Council, and be it further
RESOLVED: That GSB calls for the Ames City Council to also issue its support for U1SG's
proposal, and be it further
RESOLVED: That copies of this resolution be sent to all members of the Ames City Council,
all members of the Iowa City City Council, UISG President Lindsay Schutte,
UISG Vice-President Jason Shore, and all other appropriate print and broadcast
media.
January 26, 2005
ALLIGER, H. MILES, D. PERKINS, K. Rock, W.
Aaest~air at. ate Vote Co~t
Spealer q the ~enat~ate ~ ~ " ~sult
Date: February 23, 2005
To: City Council //'~ i ,,/v~/
From: Eleanor M. Dilkes, City Attorney
Re: National Register Nomination for Gilbert-Linn Street Historic District
In this week's information packet you will find a copy of my letter to Lowell Soike, Deputy State
Historic Preservation Officer, dated February 17, 2005 and a copy of the City Manager's letter to
Anita Walker, Executive Director of the State Historical Society of Iowa. My letter verifies the list
of property owners provided by Mercy Hospital as well as reiterates the City's position that the
only pending nomination is the revised application submitted under cover of September 21,
2004. The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) has granted the City Manager's request
that it delay the forwarding of the nomination to the National Park Service to allow Council time
for consideration.
Mercy Hospital has been communicating with SHPO, and SHPO has requested that the City, as
applicant, participate in those discussions. Both Karin Franklin and I participated in a phone
conference on Tuesday, February 22, and have agreed to participate further as requested for
the purpose of clarifying the City's position.
cc: City Manager
Assistant City Manager
City Clerk
Karin Franklin, Director of Planning
eleanor/mem/SH Pcornmunication.doc
February 17, 2005
Dr. Lowell J. Soike
Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer
State Historical Society of Iowa
600 East Locust Street BY FAX AND REGULAR MAIL
Des Moines, IA 50319-0290
Re: National Register Nomination for Gilbert-Linn Street Historic District
Dear Dr. Soike:
I have reviewed the list of properties contained in the original Gilbert-Linn Street Historic District
and property owners provided to you by Mercy Hospital. I have checked the records of the Iowa
City Assessor to determine the current owners of the properties and have noted any necessary
corrections. The list, as corrected, is enclosed herein. It is an accurate list of the properties and
property owners in the original district.
As explained in the City Manager's letter of today to Ms. Walker the Council would like the
opportunity to discuss the SNRC's recent recommendation. That recommendation is
inconsistent with the City's position that the only pending nomination is the revised application
that was submitted to your office under cover letter of September 21, 2004. That position and
the history of this matter was outlined in my letter to you of October 28, 2004. In addition, prior
to submitting the revised application, the City's Director of Planning, Karin Franklin, spoke with
your office to confirm that the revised nomination would supersede the original nomination. She
was told that the cover letter should state that it was a revised nomination which superseded the
nomination submitted and reviewed in July, and that this is how the State would treat it. As
directed by your office, the City's cover letter to you of September 21, 2004 stated: "It is our
intention that the Gilbert-Linn Street Historic District nomination enclosed shall supercede the
previously nominated district for this area."
Please feel free to call me if you have any questions concerning the enclosed.
Very truly yours,
Eleanor M. Dilkes
City Attorney
Enclosures
cc: Anita Walker, State Historic Preservation Officer (w/encl.)
Steve Atkins, City Manager (w/o encl.)
Marian Karr, City Clerk (w/encl.)
Karin Franklin, Planning Director (w/encl.)
City Council (w/encl.)
Tom Gelman, Counsel for Mercy Hospital (w/encl.)
410 EAST WASHINGTON STREET · IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240-1826 · (319) 356-5000 · FAX (319) 356-5009
HSTATE
ISTORICAL
IOwA C E..Vof 7 ! -:
A Division ofthe Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
February 18, 2005
Eleanor M. Dilkes,
City Attorney
City of Iowa City
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City, IA 52240-1826
RE: National Register nomination for Gilbert-Linn Street Historic District
Dear Ms. Dilkes:
Thank you for you letter on the above referenced matter. In keeping with your letter of October 28,
2004, our office had placed on the agenda for review by the State Nominations Review Committee only
the City's revised nomination submitted September 21, 2004.
Circumstances were altered, however, when on November 16, 2005 an owner within the district
appealed to the National Register Office of the National Park Service in Washington D.C. in accord with
National Park Service regulations, that the Iowa SHPO be required to forward the original nomination.
We were required at that time to forward the original application and did so. Upon delivery of the
required nomination, the Keeper of the National Register wrote our office a letter dated December 30,
2004, wherein the Keeper suggested "that the June nomination, which the review board has already
approved, be completed to include the info,nation discussed above and that it be made available to
members of the board at the February meeting to assist them in reconsidering the boundary of the
district." This guidance was then followed.
If you have any further questions, please feel fi:ce to contact me by phone at 515-281-3306 or by email
at Lowell. S oike~,,iowa, gov
Lowell J. Soike, Ph.D.
Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer
Cc: Anita Walker, Director, Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
Gordon Hendrickson, Administrator, Public Trust Division, State Historical Society of Iowa
Beth Foster Hill, National Register Coordinator, State Historical Society of Iowa
Steve Atkins, City Manager, Iowa City
Karin Franklin, Planning Director, Iowa City
Marian Karr, City Clerk
,-"-City Council, Iowa City
Tom Gelman, Mercy Hospital Legal Counsel
600 EAST LOCUST STREET, DES MOINES, IA 50319-0290 P: (515) 281-511 l
February 17, 2005
BY FAX AND REGULAR MAIL
Anita Walker, Executive Director of the State Historical Society of Iowa
State Historic Preservation Officer
600 East Locust Street
Des Moines, IA 50319-0290
Re: National Register Nomination for Gilbert-Linn Street Historic District
Dear Ms. Walker:
I understand that at its meeting on February 11, 2005 the State National Register Review
Committee made a decision to recommend that the original application rather than the revised
application for the Gilbert-Linn District be submitted to the National Park Service. In order to
allow the City Council time to consider, and if necessary, respond to the SNRC's
recommendation, I request that your office delay forwarding the application to the National Park
Service until the City Council has had a chance to meet and discuss this matter at its next
informal meeting. The next meeting of the City Council is February 28, 2005. In order to allow a
reasonable time for any requested response, we would request a delay in forwarding the
application until March 7, 2005.
Thank you for your assistance in this matter.
Very truly yours,
cc: Dr. Lowell Soike, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer
City Council
' Eleanor M. Dilkes, City Attorney
Karin Franklin, Planning Director
Tom Gelman, Mercy Hospital Legal Counsel
eleanor/Itrs/awalker2-17-05.doc
410 EAST WASHINGTON STREET · IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240-1826 · (319) 356-5000 · FAX (319) 356-5009
I-1' STATE
ISTORICAL
ISOClETYof
A Division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
February 17, 2005 ~
Steven J. Atkins
City Manager
City of Iowa City
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City, IA 52240-1826
RE: National Register Nomination for Gilbert-Linn Street Historic District
Dear Mr. Atkins:
Your letter regarding the above referenced historic district has been referred to me for reply. Your
request for a delay until March 7, 2005 in forwarding the nomination to the National Register Office of
the National Park Service is reasonable and we are in agreement with it.
Sincerely,
Lowell J. Soike, Ph.D.
Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer
Cc: Anita Walker, Director, Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
Gordota Hendrickson, Administrator, Public Trust Division, 'State Historical Society of Iowa
Beth Foster Hill, National Register Coordinator, State Historical Society of Iowa
Eleanor M. Dilkes, Iowa City Attorney
Karin Franklin, Planning Director, Iowa City
'-'"City Council, Iowa City
Tom Gelman, Mercy Hospital Legal Counsel
600 EAST LOCUST STREET, DES MOINES, IA 50319-0290 P: (515) 281-5111
DATE: February 24, 2005
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Maclan K. Karr, City Clerk
RE: Summer Schedule
A number of you have informed me of summer absences and questioned when a
discussion of the Council summer schedule could be scheduled. Please bring your
calendars to the March 1 work session for that discussion.
Traditionally Council has made some changes in the schedule due to absences, holidays,
etc. In the past Councils have opted to change only one month at a time, while others
have made adjustments in the June through early September schedule at one time. Your
current schedule for meetings are as follows:
June 6, 7
June 20, 21
July 4 (holiday), 5
July 18, 19
August 1, 2
August 15, 16
September 5 (holiday), 6
September 19, 20
Work sessions that fall on a holiday are generally rescheduled to just prior to the formal
meeting. Staff is generally able to work with any meeting adjustments given ample
notice. Special meetings will be called as necessary.
U:sumraerschedule.doc
I 0 WA C I T YIP6
RAND[IM
DATE: February 24, 2005
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Marian K. Karr, City Clerk t%g~
RE: City Council Packet Distribution
Currently City Council agendas and weekly information packets are available by 3:00 each
Thursday on the internet. In addition City Council Members has a choice of receiving their
packets in one of three ways:
1. Access on internet
2. Picking up hard copy
3. Picking up CD's
Recently we have made a number of enhancements to the CD version. Each CD:
· contains one weekly packet only
· copying is much easier and done with one click
· can be loaded and read on any laptop
I believe these changes address a number of problems previously had by Council and does allow
the CD to be available to the general public as well for a $3.50 fee.
During this transition period a number of you have been receiving the weekly packets in more
than one distribution method. Realizing it may not be possible to have one method that meets all
seven of your needs it is my hope that I could provide one packet to each Council Member a
week. Please contact me regarding your specific needs.
S:electronicpackets.doc
RANDUM
DATE: February 28, 2004
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Steve Atkins, City Manager
Marian K. Karr, City Clerk
RE: Work Session Discussion Items
City Council has requested a list of pending items identified for upcoming work sessions. The
attached list is in response to that request and was developed by:
· Researching work session and formal minutes over the last 13 months
· Incorporating items identified by the City Manager
· Transferring "Future Work Session Items" from the bottom of the tentative meeting schedule
· Carrying over "Identification of Priorities for Discussion" from each work session
Three items has been scheduled for the February 28 work session. Items and dates will be
addressed time permitting unless Council wishes to identity certain dates and/or items.
We recommend that this list be attached to all future work session minutes as a reference. In
addition we recommend the discontinuing of "Future Work Session Items" located at the bottom
of the tentative meeting schedule, and the "Identification of Priorities for Discussion" on each work
session agenda. Items can be added to the list with the concurrence of three Council Members.
Work Session Discussion Items
Joint meeting with Airport Commission
Timeline on North Side Fire Station
Funding priorities for the next budget
Meet with Historic Preservation
Downtown Alleys and Clean Up
Alcohol Regulation Review - May 1
Budget
$ for community events
$ for human services
social service funding policy
Fire Inspector/Deputy Chief
Housing Inspector - fee increase
Recycling Coordinator
ClP reviews
Gilbert/Hwy. 6
Restroom-Festival Stage
Railroad Overpass - 1st & Mall
Use of private donations/naming of capital facilities
Scattered Site Housing Report
Development of affordable housing (and purchase, how to make easier)
Development Code - from P&Z around May 1
Meeting with Planning & Zoning on philosophies for zoning/City Codes
2/28 Summer Schedule
Evaluations Annual in May
2/28 Electronic Packets
2/28 Non Voting Student Member of Council
Police Staffing and priorities
Peninsula Project update
Ombudsperson-type city review committee
Increasing family/youth/school programs
Work Session Discussion Items
Page 2
Deer Control process and alternatives
Application and review process for Boards and Commissions
Planning Needs and use of consultants
Traffic Calming Review
Iowa Avenue Carts
Existing business issues
Sidewalk vault issues
U :worksessionitems.doc
Date: February 22, 2005
To: City Council
From: Mayor
Re: Participation in Board and Commission Meetings
From time to time the question arises as to whether Council Members should or should not
attend a board or commission meeting, and in particular, what level of participation should there
be by a Council Member attending such a meeting. While we have no formal rules, it has been a
longstanding practice that we are generally cautious about a Council Member attending a board
or commission meeting, and in particular, interjecting his or her opinion into the discussion and
debate by that board or commission.
It would seem that it is in our collective best interest as a City Council to be aware of and
involved in the activities of our boards and commissions. Minutes are available as well as our
ability to call and talk to any board or commission members as we would individually see fit.
However, I would express caution to any Council Member in attending a board or commission
meeting, and in particular, whether that Council Member would choose to comment about a
particular agenda item. The comments of an individual can often be misinterpreted as the
position of the City Council, and therefore have an adverse effect on the deliberations of the
board or commission. Our boards were created to provide us with advice and counsel, as well
as formal recommendations concerning community issues. That advice, counsel, and
recommending process is then presented to the Council collectively. Our individual votes in a
final vote tally is an expression of our acceptance, rejection, and other preferences concerning
an issue that has been reviewed by a board or commission.
I do not want to discourage attendance at board and commission meetings, but I would
discourage very much any verbalization; that is, offering comments to a board or commission
concerning a particular item. This can only lead to misunderstanding and confusion as to a
message that is being sent to a board or commission member individually. Occasionally there
are also multiple boards and commissions reviewing an issue, and any information directed to
one board or commission should necessarily be directed to another.
I will place this matter on an upcoming work session for discussion.
mgr/mem/boardscommissions2.doc
IOWA CITY~
RANDUM
DATE: February 18, 2005
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Council Member Dee Vanderhoef
RE: Approved items from Paratransit Committee meeting
These was approved by the Paratransit Advisory Committee on February 18~.
Johnson County Paratransit Advisory Board
Minutes
November 19, 2004
Goodwill Industries Plant, 1401 First Ave., Iowa City
Present: Members: Dee Vanderhoef, Lyrme Stamus, Mike O'Donnell, Sally Stutsman for Mike Lehman,
Chris Reynolds, Terrence Neuzil Ex-Officio: William Gorman, Systems Unlimited; Nancy Snider
Overstreet, Goodwill Industries Others: Tom Brase, SEATS Director, Nathan Gould, job shadow with
Neuzil
1. Callto Order:
Chairperson, Dee Vanderhoef, called the meeting to order at 11:00 A. M.
Introductions: Sally Stutsman was standing in for Mike Lehman and Terrence Neuzil introduced Jay
Gould.
2. Chairperson's Report:
The chair reported that it is now clear that the transportation bill will not go through until May or
June. Before the legislature recessed at election time T~21 got a six month extension. Congress will
probably go forward with eleven other funding bills. The Transportation bill will not be voted on until
after these are done. All the committees will be reformed in January after the election. It is not
known who will be on the conference committee then. The chair will keep the committee members
posted on developments.
Although the next item does not pertain to transportation the chair wanted to get the word out about
the following. This past summer executive members from ISAC and the Iowa League of Cities put
together a proposal for Property Tax Reform. According to Stutsman this has been adopted by both
statewide organizations. The proposal is available on the Iowa City Web site. Stutsman said this was
a good idea and it should also be put on the county web site. This is the starting point for property tax
reform.
Gorman asked what the nuts and bolts of the proposal are. Vanderhoef explained that there are
changes, most controversial of them is that non-profit organizations will be taxed on land but not on
improvements and it would allow cities and counties to tax on services provided to the agencies; (ex:
police, fire dept.). Here there are two options, one is to be able to opt out of it and two is to tax for
services provided. Stutsman added that part of the rational is the need to take a realistic point of view.
There are so many non-profit agencies now and if services are provided to them that they need to find
revenue to support the services.
Vanderhoef added that two non-profits in Iowa City already voluntarily pay for services, Emma
Goldman for police services and the University for fire protection. At this point Gorman said that the
agencies being taxed will build that into their reimbursement request to the government, so the
government would pay that back to the non-profit and then what good would the tax do? Stutsman
answered that this reform would put the money where the service is provided, that the cities could not
tap into Federal dollars to do what is essentially their job. She added that this issue would have
much discussion. There followed more discussion on the tax reform proposal dealing with changes in
assessment, in taxing farm properties and mobile homes.
3. Director's Report
a. Carry on Policy: The approval of the policy was delayed until the next meeting when ,copies of
the policy would be distributed again. There were no new suggestions at this time.
b. A report on ADA policy and how SEATS goes beyond the requirements for paratransit
service. The director explained that most people are aware of this and he wants people to be
familiar with the service. This does not pertain to the rural service. Some of the things in which
SEATS does to go beyond the requirements are:
1) Manually pin subscription fides so the rides are more convenient for people going to and from
work and that ADA suggests a higher charge for this service.
2) SEATS goes beyond the ~ mile of fixed route service that ADA requires and provides service
for all areas within the cities limits.
3) SEATS service is door to door service for all riders. This is a special service that brings up
funding for waivers. Most other paratransit services reserve door to door service for waiver
service. Waiver service provides increased funding. The director added that both Gorman and
Snider Overstreet contacted him about M.R. waivers and he appreciated their help.
4) Iowa City provides reduced fare (1/2 fare) for low income riders which is great but SEATS is
the only transit agency in the state that has it.
The director urged the members to read through the ADA policy handout and learn what SEATS
provides and how it goes beyond ADA policies. He asked for comments:
Stamus complimented the service SEATS gives. She recommended that in the future reports and
handouts be printed on both sides of the paper to save paper.
Vanderhoef commented on the additional door-to-door service SEATS gives and made the point
that the new carry on package policy was needed because having to deal with packages affects the
time at each stop. If the driver has one or two people that require extra time it can affect later rides
or cause the need for more drivers.
Discussion on Carry On Policy
O'Dounell asked if there had been a package policy before. It was established that there is not one
in the Riders Guide.
The director gave the committee the mai or points of the policy: that the weight cannot be more
than 25 pounds and a package cannot be so large and awkward that it blocks the driver's view.
The maximum number of bags or packages was not established but it can only be as much as the
driver and passenger can carry in one trip.
There followed a discussion on home delivery by grocery stores.
Neuzil mentioned the problem of storage on the buses. The director said there is storage space on
the new buses and on the older buses the packages are put behind the seats.
At the Chair's suggestion the committee agreed to submit the policy to Ron Logsdan and Joe
Fowler of Iowa City Transit for approval. If they say it meets the contract it will go back to the
committee at the next meeting for review, discussion and approval.
4. Old Business:
a. Approval of last meeting's minutes: Gorman moved and O'Donnell seconded approval. The
motion carded unanimously.
b. The director said that all the SEATS employees got picture ID cards and will wear them or
carry them. He passed around his 1D as an example. The I.D. cards were made by Tom
Hansen from Emergency Management and were provided at a low cost. The drivers are still
instructed to introduce themselves to their riders. Reynolds and Vanderhoef confirmed the
necessity of drivers introducing themselves.
c. Driver name signs (first names only) were made and laminated. These are attached in the front
of the bus to be visible to the riders. Vanderhoef said that this is important if riders have a
comment or complaint so they can identify the driver.
d. The director also told the committee that the drivers and staff have recently had ergonomic
training.
6. New Business
There was no new business.
7. Open Discussion:
There was no open discussion.
8. Next meeting date: the next meeting was set for January 21, 2005
The meeting was adjourned, moved by Neuzil, seconded by O'Donnell.
Carry-on Package Procedure Policy
Date: February 18, 2005
Revision: Number 1
Approved:
Purpose: To reasonably limit the time and weight of carry on items to prevent injury or unreasonable delay for
an expected drop-offor pick-up. Provide a safe environment for all SEATS passengers.
Policy: Any item that is too large to see around and/or too awkward for one person to carry through the
vehicle doorway without continued readjustments will not be transported with a rider. SEATS will
transport only what the driver and the passenger can carry on the vehicle in one trip with a maximum
often plastic grocery bags to a total weight of twenty-five pounds. The driver will not carry on any
item weighing more than twenty-five pounds. Items transported on SEATS vehicles will be the sole
responsibility of the rider.
Procedure: When taking a request for service for a ride going to or from a known store the person
taking the request will be responsible for informing the passengers of the policy at
the time reservations are made.
Riders will have to take the responsibility of having the packages that are not allowed on a SEATS
vehicle delivered to their home by other means than with SEATS. For packages that are acceptable,
the driver will take the packages to the front door entrance and set them inside, but the rider is
responsible for putting the items away.
In the instance where an abundant number of packages, or excessively heavy, and/or large or
awkward items are present, the driver will notify dispatch of the situation. The driver will wait five
minutes at the pick-up location for the rider to make other arrangements for the delivery of the
packages. When dispatch is notified, the dispatcher should offer other alternatives such as the store
delivering the items or holding the items until the rider can come back to get them. If the driver has
the time and ability to transport overweight, awkward or multiple items and this is a first time
occurrence for the rider, the driver can do it but must inform the rider that it will not be allowed again
and explain this policy to the rider.
Dispatchers will be responsible for providing instructions to the drivers. Dispatch will complete an
incident report so as to document the incident.
SEATS management will be responsible for contacting the individual of the incident and discussing
the situation with them. Management will inform the rider of potential consequences of the situation
and repercussions should the situation develop again.
I have read and understand Carry on Package Policy and Instructions:
Staff's Signature Date
Date: February 17, 2005
To: City Council
From: City Manager
Re: Small Bus Experiment
Iowa City Transit has purchased a 1998 Gillig bus. This is a smaller bus and is ten feet shorter
and narrower than the standard bus you see operated on our routes. The bus was previously in
service in California and is rust free. The passenger capacity is thirty seated compared to forty-
three on the larger buses.
At the present time Transit Maintenance employees are upgrading the bus to be compatible with
the rest of the fleet. When this is complete the bus will be placed into service at night and on
routes with lower ridership.
This bus was purchased for $10,000. A full size bus is approximately $280,000. We will let you
know how our experiment works.
cc: Joe Fowler, Director Parking & Transit
Ron Logsden, Transit Manager
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
Date: February 22, 2005
To: Steve Atkins, City Manager
From: Ron Logsden, Transit Manager
Re: Big 10 Wrestling Tournament
The University of Iowa is hosting the Big 10 Wrestling Tournament this year on
Saturday, March 5 and Sunday, March 6. Iowa City Transit is going to offer free rides to
and from Carver Hawkeye Area and downtown to anyone who shows the bus driver their
ticket to the wrestling tournament on Saturday. We do not run service on Sunday. We
did the same promotion when the NCAA Wrestling Tournament was in Iowa City a few
years ago.
There is a two-hour intermission on Saturday, and this promotion will offer an
opportunity for people to go downtown to eat and shop between sessions.
Cc: Joe Fowler, Director of Parking and Transit
IP12
February 17, 2005 -~ ~l&
CITY OF IOWA (~ITY
410 East Washington Street
Lexington Avenue residents between Park Road and River Street ~owa City, Iowa 52240-1826
(319) 356-5000
Re: Lexington Avenue traffic calming barricade (3 [ 9) 3 $6-5009 FAX
Dear Resident: www.icgov.org
In April 2001 the City Council agreed to the installation of a traffic calming barricade on
Lexington Avenue which would remain in place between the months of March and November.
This action was taken at the request of the Lexington Avenue Action Committee following a
survey which indicated 71% of the residences on Lexington Avenue were in favor of such an
installation. In 2002 a follow-up survey was conducted with 65% of the residences on Lexington
Avenue indicating they were in favor of the three-season barricade remaining in place. Since
this time, the barricade has been installed in March and removed in November each year.
The February 15, 2005 City Council meeting packet included correspondence from three
residents of Lexington Avenue requesting a resurvey of the neighborhood to see if the barricade
is still desired. After discussion at the February 14 work session, the City Council directed staff
to resurvey the neighborhood regarding this matter. This letter is to inform you that in
approximately one week you will receive a survey questionnaire regarding the barricade. As is
typical for our neighborhood mailings, we will use the City's utility bill address database for
mailing out the survey postcards to eligible residences.
The City's Traffic Calming Program requires 60% or greater majority approval by a
neighborhood for a traffic calming feature to be considered for installation. However, the results
of the survey will not be the sole determining factor in whether the Lexington Avenue barricade
remains in place or is removed permanently. The survey is one factor that will be taken into
consideration by the City Council, who will make the final determination as they would with any
issue regarding a public street.
Feel free to contact JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner Anissa Williams at 356-5254 or anissa-
williams@iowa-city, org if you have any questions.
Jeff Davidson, Director
Traffic Engineering Planning
cc: City Manager
City Council
Neighborhood Services Coordinator
jccogadm/Itrs/lex-barricade05.doc
Date: February 22, 2005 ~~ ~
To: Steve Atkins
From: Norm Cate, Senior Housing Inspector, H.I.S.
Re: Response to letter from Greater Iowa City Apartment Association to City Council,
dated February 15, 2005
This memo is in response to the Greater Iowa City Apartment Association (GICAA)
letter, dated February 15, 2005, asking for the City Council to "deny the proposal
from the Rental Housing Division for an increase in Rental Permit Fees".
To be clear, there is no proposed fee schedule listed in the budget. The Housing and
Inspection Department has requested an additional housing inspector in the budget.
If the position were approved, the building and housing divisions would then request
by resolution an increase in both building and rental permit fees to fund the position.
Any fee increase would directly fund the additional inspector. In response the GICAA
question of where current revenues go, all revenue generated from the past two fee
increases go toward fully funding the housing inspection budget. The Fee schedule
is directly proportional to the division's budget and no more.
GICAA states the reason for the increase is the volume of rental units. That is only
part of the basis for an additional staff position. H.I.S also investigates zoning,
nuisance and housing complaints. For the year of 1993, this department investigated
599 complaint cases. In 2004, 1,386 complaint cases were investigated, a 131%
increase in the number of complaint cases investigated annually since 1993.
Additionally, City Council in 2002 adopted the Informational Disclosure and
Acknowledgement Form ordinance at the recommendation of the Neighborhood
Housing Relations Task Force (NHRTF). This ordinance requires staff to identify the
maximum unrelated occupancy of every rental unit in Iowa City. This project has
required staff in many cases to investigate all past property records to determine a
unit's maximum occupancy. This long, contentious and at times pain-staking process
has significantly increased the staff time invested in renewing rental permits and in
defending its determinations.
Furthermore, City Council passed the Nuisance Property Amendment ordinance on
recommendation of the NHRTF in May of 2003. Since the adoption of that ordinance,
320 criminal complaint notices of violation have been issued to tenants and landlords
in Iowa City. Twenty of the notices have been for second offense violations of the
ordinance, resulting in Code Compliance Settlement Meetings involving
tenants/landlords and police and housing officials. Meetings are conducted at City
Hall at which time tenants and landlords agree in writing to certain conditions for
continuing occupancy.
The NHRTF recommendations to City Council also included the request for
additional staff to meet the demands created by adoption of these ordinances. In a
memo to City Council from the City Manager in August of 2002, the City Manager
February 22, 2005
Page 2
states "adoption of some of these proposals without proper funding will result in their
failure."
It has been 13 years since H.I.S. rental inspection division has increased its staff. In
that time an additional 4,000 rental units have been added so that today there are
15,900 rental units in the inspection program, a 33.6% increase in the number of
rental units. In addition to the increase in the number of rental units since 1992,
single family structures were moved from a four year to a three year inspection cycle
in 1994, increasing the number of inspections of those structures by more than 200
annually.
In its letter, GICAA states that the City Council, City Manager and H.I.S. have not
done enough to economize the inspection process. In a memo to City Council in
November of 2003, H.I.S outlined four time-saving operational changes it proposed
to implement as a stop-gap measure for a year to assess their effectiveness. Those
four operational changes, especially the self-certification of owner-occupied units
within a rental structure, minimized inspections of new multi-family buildings and
reinspections only for life-safety/fire-safety and major maintenance items have
proven to be successful in economizing staff time.
GICAA gives three options in their letter to "decrease overall labor hours without
increasing safety and health risks."
1. Duplexes where one unit is owner-occupied and the other is rental be dropped
from the rental inspection program. It is their opinion that "where owner-occupied
oversight exists on a property, there is a decreased safety risk."
H.I.S. strongly believes this is a false and potentially dangerous assumption. On the
afternoon of December 4, 2004, a fire occurred at a duplex on 829 Dover St.
Thankfully the five occupants escaped the rental unit unharmed prior to the fire
department's arrival and the unit sustained heavy smoke and fire damage. The other
unit, an owner-occupied unit, sustained minor smoke damage. This example
amplifies the fact that there is no decrease in life-safety/fire-safety risk "where owner-
occupied oversight exists on a property".
2. Buildings that are more than 75% owner-occupied be inspected on a five-year
basis. GICAA again states that ownership oversight lowers the life-safety/fire-
safety risk.
H.I.S. believes this is another false and potentially dangerous assumption. Our
inspections reveal that many life-safety/fire-safety items, such as inoperable
emergency lights, inoperable illuminated exit signs, non-functional fire doors, un-
inspected fire and sprinkler systems, are cited in multi-family structures, even those
with a high percentage of owner-occupied units. Allowing an additional three years
between inspection seriously compromises the overall life-safety/fire-safety integrity
of these buildings.
3. Allow landlords to skip future inspections if two cycles of scheduled inspections
reveal "no major health and safety violation."
H.I.S. believes there is large majority of landlords and property managers in Iowa
City that have an outstanding record in managing and maintaining their buildings.
One of our implemented policy changes allow landlords of multi-family buildings of
twelve or more units to self-inspect their properties prior to the rental inspections and
February 22, 2005
Page 3
the inspector, at his or her discretion, may inspect only one-half the units. H.I.S. is
willing to propose that if two inspection cycles reveal no violations in a multi-family
structure of twelve or more units, subsequent inspections would be limited to
common areas only, as long as the landlord completes the self-certification
document and the inspector noted no deteriorated conditions.
In summation, GICAA states their options to reduce costs pose "no safety or health
risks" and adoption of their options will result in a "reasonable, consistent and cost-
effective" department. H.I.S. asserts that these options, if implemented, would pose a
significant life-safety/fire-safety risk. Further, collected testimony from the "How are
We Doing" survey given to you on a quarterly basis documents that the service H.I.S.
provides is fair, reliable and efficient in its implementation of the rental program.
In a recent three-part investigative report of rental housing programs in Eastern Iowa
by the Cedar Rapids Gazette, Iowa City was shown to have the most effective and
pro-active rental housing program in the area. To quote the November 23, 2004
Gazette article, "The Gazette's review of inspection records showed that Iowa City
managed to inspect twice as many rental units as Cedar Rapids in January through
May 2004 with the same number of inspectors: five. Iowa City inspected 2,067 units
at 490 properties. Cedar Rapids inspected 1,034 units in 463 properties, although it
was checking more than normal to erase its backlog."
H.I.S. believes that in the past year and a half it has maximized its options to
economize the rental inspection process without significantly increasing the general
life-safety/fire-safety risk to the public. While we are always looking for ways to be as
efficient and effective as possible, all the paste has been squeezed from the tube.
Additional erosion of the inspection process will come with public safety risk. Without
the addition of a staff position, the department will be forced to reduce its level of
service, resulting in the failure of both the recently adopted NHRTF initiatives and the
department's ability to respond to nuisance and zoning complaints.
Iowa City Housing and Inspection Services IP14
Customer Service Survey ~ February 2005
FlOW I::>OIN ?
Thank you very much for all your help. We have common goals and our cooperation makes
them easier to achieve. We find your whole department easy to get along with and very
professional. Thanks!
I think your department is doing a great job. Other cities in Iowa are envious of the rental permit
process we have in Iowa City, and how efficiently your department operates to assure quality
housing units in Iowa City.
Good service. Liked communicating by e-mail. Flexible in changing appointments - liked that.
Art is always prompt for inspections and personable.
Norm Cate Rocks! He was thorough yet not invasive - very polite and pleasant.
I have always found your office easy to do business with. If assistance is needed you are
always most accommodating.
I appreciate the quickness of elaborating on my rentals when I call. A working relationship is
always helpful on both parties to accomplish good things in the community.
Norm was easy to work with and fair. I had a few items to fix and he was reasonable and
helpful. Thanks.
Great job.
Great!
Norm Cate was sincere and on time. He took time to explain any problems and gave me
enough time to complete minor repairs. A good person; a good public relations tool.
5 stars***** - Bob Shaver is extremely thorough in his inspections and is on time for his appt's. I
found Mr. Shaver very polite and professional. Sorry for this coming so late it got lost in my
paperwork.
Inspection was professional and went quickly. Thank you.
Just fine.
Bob - keep up the good work.
Pat Mackay - is firm but pleasant. Looks at all items to fix as cure. She has always been on
time and shows appreciation for landlords' efforts.
Inspector was prompt, courteous and knowledgeable. Excellent job! But I am dismayed by the
increase in cost - it's DOUBLE what it was 3 years ago for a 2-unit property.
Pat Mackay was the inspector, great to work with, very thorough yet fair. She explains things
very well. Should have more inspectors like her - helpful, kind and easy to work with.
hisadm/comrnent$-feb05,doc 1
Iowa City Housing and Inspection Services
Customer Service Survey - February 05
Page 2
Norm was extremely helpful in pointing out what needed to be done to improve safety for both
my tenant and me. Thank you for providing this assistance.
Thank you to Norm for another positive inspection experience. He was professional, thorough
and informative.
Patricia Mackay was prompt, thorough, informative professional and friendly. We were happy to
work with her.
You are doing fine. No complaints. But why not come every 3 years just like at my duplex. Might
cut down on the workload. You can even charge more. Ha ha!
I felt very comfortable with the inspection. Bob pointed out a couple of small corrections for me
to do and that was it. Thank you.
Art Anderson - very helpful.
I feel your rental permit fees are too high. I hope they do not increase. It makes it hard for me in
this town to do business. Bob Shaver is excellent; friendly and courteous and very easy to work
with, I hope he stays.
I recently had an inspection with Art Anderson. He did a very excellent job in a professional
manner.
Norm - Keep up the good work.
Art Anderson did my inspection and was very thorough, but fair. I appreciated his positive
demeanor and explanations of any violations.
Norm Cate did a very nice job our inspection at 225 Church Street. Thanks.
You all did great. Thank you for your supportive attitudes.
Very professional and nice.
Bob Shaver came to my property at 336 Douglas Ct. promptly on time, was pleasant and
efficient. I thought he conducted a good inspection and I have no complaints.
We were very pleased with how the house inspection went. We were told very nicely what
needed to be done and how it needed to be and we followed the advice and everything went as
we were told. The inspection was on time and very polite to us and helpful.
The inspection of our property that I did with Patricia Mackay went well. I enjoy working with her.
The inspection of our property that I did with Bob Shaver went well.
Hisadm/comments-oct04.doc 2
EC From Mayor Pro tem~
EAST CENTRAL IOWA
COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS
YOUR REGIONAL PLANNING AGENCY
MEMORANDUM
DATE: February 16, 2005
TO: ECICOG Bk~ o_f Directors
FROM: Doug Elliott3~cutiventi-~e.c. Director
SUBJECT: Next Meeting - Thursday, February 24, 2005
The ECICOG Board'of Directors will meet on Thursday, February 24, 2005, at 1:00 p.m., at the
ECICOG offices. An agenda for the meeting and minutes of the January 27th meeting are
enclosed. Other items are highlighted below:
Item 1.4 Public. Hearing: The board will hold a publi~ hearing regarding the Consolidated -
Transit Application for East Central Iowa Transit (ECIT). Additional information is provided in
the Transportation Staff Report.
Item 2.0 Routine Matters: Financial statements for the month of January are enclosed.
Item 3.0' Guest Presentation: Dan Baldwin, President & CEO of the Greater Cedar Rapids
Community Foundation, will:give a presentation on state foundation funding initiatives.
Item 4.1 Chairperson's Report: Chairpe'rson Barton has included appointments fOr the board's
two standing committees and the Transit Services Review Committee. The chairs of the
Personnel and Budget Committees also serve on the Executive Committee. Please contact me if
you have any questions or are unable to fulfill your appointment.
Item 4.3 Director's Report: I will give a brief report on the process to update the agqncy
strategic plan. In addition, I've enclosed a page from the agency's Employee Information
Handbook, October 2000, regarding the approval process for agency travel. As per your request
from last month's meeting, I'm proposing the policy be amended by striking the language as
indicated.
Item 4.4 Staff Reports: Staff reports are enclosed for your information.
Item 5.1 Solid Waste TAC: Minutes of the most recent meeting are enclosed.
Please review the remainder of the enclosed materials, and contact us if you have questions
before the meeting on the 24th.
Enc.
108 Third Street SE, Suite 300 Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401 319-365-9941 FAX 319-365-9981 www. ia.net/Necicog
IO0% POST CONSUMER CONTENT
East Central Iowa Council of Governments Board Meeting Notice
I 1:00 P.M. February 24, 2005
ECICOG Offices
108 Third Street SE, Suite 300, Cedar Rapids
TEL 365-9941 FAX 365-9981
pages
1.0 CALL TO ORDER
· 1 Recognition of Alternates
.2 Public Discussion
.3 Approval of Agenda
.4 Public Hearing - Consolidated Transit Application
2.0 ROUTINE MATTERS
1-3 .1 Approval of Minutes (January 27, 2005)
4-6 .2 Preceding Month's Budget Reports/Balance Sheets
3.0 GUEST PRESENTATION
Daniel R. Baldwin, President & CEO, Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation
"State Foundation Funding Initiatives"
4.0 AGENCY REPORTS
7 .1 Chairperson's Report
.2 Board Members' Reports
8 .3 Director's Report
· Agency Strategic Plan Update
· Agency Travel Policy Revision
9-20 .4 Staff Reports - informational only
5.0 COMMITTEE REPORTS
21-22 .1 Solid Waste Technical Advisory Committee - information only
6.0 OLD BUSINESS
· 1 Approval of Expenditures
7.0 NEW BUSINESS
8.0 LEGISLATIVE DISCUSSION
9.0 NEXT MEETING: March 31, 2005
ECICOG is the Region l O planning agency serving local governments in the counties of Benton, Iowa, Johnson,
Jones, Linn, and Washington.
MINUTES
East Central Iowa Council of Governments
Board Meeting 1:00 p.m. - January 27, 2005
108 Third Street SE, Suite 300
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
MEMBERS PRESENT
Pat Harney-Johnson County Supervisor
Ann Hearn-Linn County Citizen
Larry Wilson-Johnson County Citizen
Bill Daily-Benton County Citizen
Ross Wilburn-Iowa City City Council
Leo Cook-Jones County Supervisor
Don Gray-Mayor of Central City
Randy Payne- Washington County Supervisor
Dennis Hansen-Anamosa City Council
Don Magdefrau-Benton County Citizen
Gary Edwards-Iowa County Citizen
Linda Langston-Linn County Supervisor
Ed Raber- Washington County Citizen
Lu Barron-Linn County Supervisor
MEMBERS ABSENT
Ric Gerard-Iowa County Supervisor
Wade Wagner-Cedar Rapids Commissioner
Ed Brown-Mayor of Washington
Henry Herwig-Coralville City Council
Charles Montross-Iowa County Supervisor
David Vermedahl-Benton County Supervisor
Vacancy-Jones County Citizen
ALTERNATES PRESENT - None
OTItER'S PRESENT - None
STAFF PRESENT
Doug Elliott-Executive Director
Gina Peters-Administrative Assistant
Mary Rump-IT~Transportation Planner
Robyn Jacobson- Transit Administrator
Amy Peterson-Program Administrator
Eric Freese-Housing Specialist
Chad Sands-Planner
Lisa-Marie Garlich-Planner
1.0 CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson, Lu Barron at 1:02 p.m.
.1 Recognition of Alternates
Barron welcomed Randy Payne and Bill Daily, two new board members.
.2 Public Discussion
Langston gave a legislative update.
.3 Approval of Agenda
M/S/C (Hansen/Wilson) to approve the agenda. All ayes.
/
2.0 ROUTINE MATTERS
.1 Approval of Minutes (November 23, 2004)
M/S/C (Langston/Magdefrau) to approve the minutes as written. All ayes.
.2 Preceding Month's Budget Reports/Balance Sheets
Elliott gave an overview of the December financial statements. Quarterly departmental statements were
included in the board packet.
M/S/C (Wilbum/Harney) to receive and file the December financial statements for audit. All ayes.
3.0 AGENCY REPORTS
.1 Chairperson's Report
Hcam presented the slate of officers on behalf of the nominating committee: Barton-Chairperson, Vermedahl-
Vice-Chairperson, and Edwards Secretary/Treasurer.
M/S/C (Hearn/Langston) to accept and approve the slate of officers. All ayes.
.2 Board Members' Reports - None
.3 Director's Report
Elliott referred to page 13 of the board packet, the depository resolution.
M/S/C (Cook/Hearn) to approve the depository resolution. All ayes.
Elliott referred to page 14, a letter from Iowa League of Cities seeking interest in hosting a workshop to benefit
small cities. Discussion followed. Elliott asked board members to let him know what topics would be of
interest to their cities.
Elliott explained the payables list that was circulating. He noted the executive committee met in December but
before some invoices were received. The executive committee authorized payments to be made and asked that
the list be attached to the January payables listing.
At Wilson's request, Elliott handed out and explained organizational charts for the ECICOG Board of Directors
and RPA Policy committee for everyone's benefit.
Elliott told the board the executive committee recognized Jacobson's 5-year anniversary in December and
presented her with an engraved pen. Peters was then presented with an engraved clock recognizing her 10-year
anniversary.
.4 Community Development Report
Sands gave an EDA district designation update.
Garlich told the board she is pursuing AICP certification and has ~nclosed a travel request in the board packet
for the 2005 American Planning Association Conference to be held March 18-23 in San Francisco.
M/S/C (Wilson/Cook) to approve Garlich's travel request to attend the 2005 American Planning Association
Conference. All ayes.
Wilburn asked why the board is asked to approve travel requests for conferemces. Elliott said the employee
handbook states any travel request over $500 requires board approval. Discussion followed. Elliott is to add
discussion of the policy to the February agenda.
Garlich handed out a letter from Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division regarding the
pre-disaster mitigation program. Discussion followed.
Garlich also handed out a sample scope of services and cost proposal for housing needs assessments and noted
that the counties in the region need to update their assessments. Raber said Alliant Energy has matching funds
available for housing needs assessments.
.5 Housing Report
Peterson said Citizens State Bank in Wyoming was awarded $55,000 in FHLB funds. She noted that FHLB
grant applications are due in April.
.6 Circuit Rider Report
Elliott told the board Treharne was out ill. He noted she returned to work in December from maternity leave.
.7 Solid Waste Report
Elliott told the board Ryan and Simon were in Des Moines for a legislative breakfast and meetings.
/
.8 Transportation Report
Rump reminded board members of the policy committee meeting after the board meeting.
Jacobson asked the board to set a public hearing for the Consolidated Transit Application to be held in
conjunction with the February board meeting.
M/S/C (Harney/Raber) to set the public hearing for the Consolidated Transit Application to be held on February
24, 2005 at 1:00 p.m. All ayes.
4.0 COMMITTEE REPORTS
.1 Executive Committee
M/S/C (Edwards/Wilson) to approve the minutes of the December 22, 2004 meeting. All ayes.
.2 Personnel Committee
Wilson commended the committee for working together on the FY 2006 Salary Plan. The committee outlined
four goals for Elliott and recommended a 3% increase in his salary. The committee also recommended a 2.5%
salary increase for staff and $500 for longevity.
M/S/C (Langston/Raber) to accept the FY 2006 Salary Plan. All ayes.
.3 Budget Committee
Elliott gave an overview of the proposed FY 2006 Agency Budget that was included in the board packet.
M/S/C (Raber/Hamey) to approve the FY 2006 Agency Budget. All ayes.
.4 ITS Task Force
Langston gave an update on ITS. A formal recommendation is anticipated in March. Discussion followed.
Rump is to email cost proposals to board members.
.5 Solid Waste Technical Advisory Committee-information only
Minutes from the last meeting were included in the board packet.
.6 . Transit Operators' Group-information only
Minutes from the last meeting were included in the board packet.
5.0 OLD BUSINESS
.1 Approval of Expenditures
M/S/C (Cook/Wilson) to approve payment of expenditures. All ayes.
6.0 NEW BUSINESS - None
NEXT MEETING: February 24, 2005
The meeting adjourned at 2:19 p.m.
Gary Edwards, Secretary/Treasurer
February 24, 2005
Date
Community Development Report
Date: February 24, 2004
From: Chad Sands, AICP, Planner
Lisa J. Treharne, Planner
Lisa-Marie Garlich, Planner
Amy Peterson, Program Administrator
Eric Freese, Housing Inspector
Status of Planning Projects
· Work is continuing on the Benton County Comprehensive Plan. Monthly work-sessions
with the Planning and Zoning Commission have focused on development tools to assist
in managing the rapid growth in the County. In particular, the Commission is reviewing a
proposed Land Evaluation and Site Assessment (LESA) program.
/~ ,,,~ Work on the Johnson County Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance is complete. The
County Board of Supervisors adopted the ordinance in December. Major changes to the
ordinance include updated definitions, format changes to the overall ordinance layout
and changes to specific requirements and regulations.
· Linn County has asked for a service proposal for the creation of another City/County
Strategic Growth Plan.
· The City of North Liberty's update of their comprehensive plan is progressing. The
Planning and Zoning Commission is meeting monthly, focusing on updating outdated
community goals.
· The City of Norway has asked for a service proposal to codify the City's ordinance book.
· The City of Springville's zoning ordinance is complete. The Planning and Zoning
Commission has recommended it on to the City Council. Work on the subdivision
ordinance has started. In addition, a planning and zoning training session will be held
after both ordinances have been adopted.
· ECICOG staff prepared a grant application for the City of Vinton to fund the creation of a
local pre-disaster mitigation plan. The grant was approved by FEMA. As soon as we
recieve the proper paper work, ECICOG can begin work on the plan.
· ECICOG is providing site plan and development review services for the Cities of Bertram
and Shueyville. Staff represents the City of Bertram on the Linn County Technical Review
Committee when reviewing conditional use applications outside of the City of Bertram.
There were no conditional use permit reviews during the month of January in Bertram.
· Economic Development Administartion (EDA) staff has contacted ECICOG about our
designation request. As you recall, ECICOG had requested to become designated as an
EDA District. It appears that the request is ready to be approved, pending an update to
our Region 10 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) information.
ECICOG--Housing Report--February 2005
Lisa Treharne, Planner, ext. 29
Amy Peterson, Program Administrator, ext. 21
Eric Freese, Housing Specialist, ext. 24
Lisa-Harie Garlich, Planner, ext. 33
IGrant Updates
Just around the corner in the beginning of March the CDBG/HOME awards will be announced.
Washington County and possibly Benton County will apply for a Federal Home Loan Bank grant for single-
family housing rehabilitation in April of this year.
IHousing Rehabilitation Projects J
Anamosa Rehabilitation :[Z. The City was awarded funds to rehabilitate 10 houses. Eleven homes are
completed. One home is currently under construction. The City may have additional funds to complete
two more homes, for a total of 14. The City is using T~F Funds to rehabilitate another home. Three
homes were deemed ineligible.
Grant: $379,850 Local Match: $10,000 T~F Funds: $S2,120 Source of Funds: HUD/IDED Housing Fund
Brighton Rehabilitation. The City was awarded funds to rehabilitate 9 houses. Seventeen
applications were received. Four homes are complete, three homes are in construction, and two homes
are in the verification process. Four applicants have dropped out of the program.
Grant: $370,600 Local Match: $14,000 Source of Funds: HUD/IDED Housing Fund
Coralville Rehabilitation. The City was awarded funds to rehabilitate at least 11 houses. Closeout
paperwork will be submitted the end of February.
Grant: $417,411 Local Match: $20,000 Source of Funds: HUD/]DED Housing Fund
Fairfax Rehabilitation. The City was awarded funds to rehabilitate 10 houses. Ten homes are
completed and funds are available to complete an eleventh home. This home is under construction.
Grant: $273,990 Local Match: $10,000 Source of Funds: HUD/IDED Housing Fund
GRO House. SOLD
Lone Tree Rehabilitation. The City was awarded funds to rehabilitate 8 houses. Fifteen applications
were received. Five homes are complete. Three are in the verification process.
Grant: $320,312 Local Match: $8,000 Source of Funds: HUD/]DED Housing Fund
14arion Rehabilitation, City of Marion was awarded funds to rehabilitate 10 affordable single-family,
owner-occupied units. Funds have been released. The top three applicants will soon begin bidding
process. 23 applications were received.
Grant: $396,790 Local Match: $40,000 Source of Funds: HUD/IDED Housing Fund
Hartelle Rehabilitation. The City was awarded funds to rehabilitate 8 houses. All nine homes are
completed. Close-out should be commencing soon. Two homes were deemed ineligible.
Grant: $307,986 Local Match: $8,000 Source of Funds: HUD/iDED Housing Fund
Olin Rehabilitation. The City was awarded funds to rehabilitate 10 houses. The City had additional
funds to complete twelve homes. Twelve homes are completed. The 13th home is currently in the
bidding process. Eight homes have been deemed ineligible. A waiting list has been established.
Grant: $379,850 Local Match: $10,000 Source of Funds: HUD/IDED Housing Fund
ii
ECICOG
Solid Waste Planning Report
DATE: February 14, 2005
FROM: Jennifer Ryan, Solid Waste Planner, ext. 31, iennifer, ryan~,ecico.q.or.q
Kristin Simon, Solid Waste Planner, ext. 26, kristin.simon~ecicof].orFl
Household Hazardous Materials Awareness Grant. Submitted an application on
behalf of the Cedar Rapids / Linn County Solid Waste Agency and the Iowa City Landfill
& Recycling Center to raise awareness about the use of their HHM collection programs
among eligible businesses. The proposed project is an experiment in the Social
Marketing approach to education. The goal is to distribute topic specific education
materials through partnerships with organizations such the Fire Marshal's office and
commercial insurance companies. Contact Jennifer for more information.
Landfill Staff Training Opportunities. Assisting the Cedar Rapids / Linn County Solid
Waste Agency in coordinating regional training sessions for landfill staff in a wide range
of topics. The sessions will be held this spring and fall. Contact Jennifer for more
information.
Jones County School Recycling Project. The SWAP application to assist Jones
County school districts with recycling collection and education has been selected for
further review. The DNR has requested additional information before a final decision is
made. Contact Jennifer for more information.
Education Update. Kristin is assisting with the organization of a workshop for non-
traditional educators titled "How To Get Your Educational Programs into Today's
Classroom", on March 3rd at Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center. Contact Kristin for
more information.
Keep Linn County Beautiful. A member of the Linn County SherifFs Department was
honored with the Iowa Litter Enforcement Award from Keep Iowa Beautiful. Captain
Brian Gardner stopped and ticketed a driver discarding a fast food bag out their window.
The award and $1,000 cash, to be donated to a local charitable organization, will be
given at the March 2® Linn County Board of Supervisors meeting. Captain Gardner is a
member of the Keep Linn County Board of Directors and an active participant on the
Illegal Dumping Prevention Task Force. The cash award will be donated to Keep Linn
County Beautiful. Contact Kristin for more information.
ECICOG-- FebruaRY 2005
MapJ Rump, Planner-Ext. 28
Robyn Jacobson, Planner-Ext. 34
TRANSPORTATION
REPORT
Important Dates Transit
Request for Additional Services
TOG Meeting - None.
March :[7, 2005
ITS Ad Hoc Committee
An update will be provided at the board meeting.
Policy Committee
Meeting- Public Hearing for FY 2006 Consolidated Transit Application
April 28, 2005 Each year, on behalf of the regional transit system known as East Central Iowa
Transit, ECICOG submits a consolidated application for state and federal,
ITAC Meeting- TBA capital and operating assistance. A public hearing is required prior to the
submittal of the application. At the February meeting, a public hearing will be
held to solicit input regarding the region's capital and operating request for
fiscal year 2006. A summary of the proposed projects and associated funding
is noted below. Following the public hearing, the board will be asked to
authorize the chair to sign a resolution to submit the application (copy of
[Ipcoming resolution attached).
Conferences
Project Recipient Total Cost State Funds Federal Funds
General Regional 2,168,571 440,873 249,970
Mississippi Valley Operations
Conference of State Planning ECICOG 21,875 18,208
Highway and ITS Technology Regional 900,000 720,000
lransportation Officials Computer equip. Linn 12,500 10,000
July 13-15, 2005 - LIFTS
Chicago, Illinois Computer equip. EC1COG 25,000 20,000
- ECICOG
Mid-Continent Five 138" LDB 1 Benton, I Iowa, 280,000 232,400
Transportation I 2 Jones, I Wash.
Research Symposium.,{~., r~. Three 176" LDB 3 Johnson 198,000 164,340
August 18-:I.9, 2005 0[~z''--~ )- diesel
Ames, Iowa/ One 176" LDB I Wash. 62.000 51,460
Two 30" MDB Two Linn 240,000 199,200
TOTAL $3,907,946 $440,873 $1,665,578
Transportation
FY 2006-2008 Draft Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)
The staff is in the process of printing the Draft TIP for FY 2006-2008. When
complete, it will be available for review at each County Engineers' Office
and at ECICOG. It will also be available on the ECICOG website at
www.ecicog.org.
Authorizing Resolution
We, hereby, authorize, Robyn L, Jacobson
on behalf of East Central Iowa Council of Governments
to apply for financial assistance as noted below and to enter into related contract(s) with the lowa
Department of Transportation.
From the State Transit Assistance Program:
4.111344 % of formula funds;
From federal formula funds for transit in non-urbanized areas (including transit serving primarily
elderly persons and person with disabilities):
$ 249,970 ;
From state-wide federal capital assistance for transit:
$ 1,397,400
We understand acceptance of federal transit assistance involves an agreement to comply with certain
labor protection provisions.
We certify that East Central Iowa Council of Governments has sufficient non-federal
funds to provide required local match for capital projects and at time of delivery will have the funds to
operate and maintain vehicles and equipment purchased under this project.
We request that State Transit Assistance formula funding be advanced as allowed by law, to improve
transit system cash flow.
Adopted the 24th day of February , 2005
Name: East Central Iowa Council of Governments Board of Directors
By: . Chairoerson
Title: Chaimerson
Address: 108 Third Street SE, Suite 300 Cedar Rapids, lowa 52401
Telephone: (319) 365-9941
MINUTES
EAST CENTRAL IOWA COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS
Solid Waste Technical Advisory Committee (SWTAC)
I PMf February 10, 2005
CR/LC Solid Waste Agency, Cedar Rapids
VOTING MEMBERS PRESENT NON-VOTING MEMBERS PRESENT
Benton County: Myron Parizek Iowa City/.lohnson County:
CR/LC SW Agency: Floyde Pelkey .1on Thomas
CR/LC SW Agency: Marie DeVries Iowa Waste Exchange: .lohn Koch, Rick
lC/_lohnson County: Brad Neumann Meyers
Iowa County: Rick Heller STAFF PRESENT
_]ones County: Leonard Brokens Jennifer Ryan
Tama County: Lyle Brehm Kristin Simon
MINUTES: Minutes from the January 2005 meeting were approved as corrected.
Local Updates-
Jones County, Brokens reported:
· DNR performed a site visit at the landfill. No violations were noted.
· The Commission is still reviewing their options in response to the landfill rule changes.
Iowa County, Heller reported:
· Negotiating landfill fine with DNR staff.
· Recent cell closure project is completed.
· Repairs on leachate pump lift station.
Cedar Rapids / Linn County Solid Waste Agency, Pelkey and DeVries reported: · Attended the first mediation meeting with the City of Marion.
· Proposals for Site #2 improvement plan are due February 22®.
· The recydables processing contract review committee continues their review process.
· Site #1 will close in August 06, as previously announced.
· Staff is updating the Recycling Companion and website.
· Compost product marketing contract has been effective in reducing the material stockpile.
· Preparing a RFP for sanding/painting agency equipment,
· Collected over 200 TV's ($5/non console, $10/console) since last fall with minimal
promotion.
Tama County, Brehm reported:
· Ordering new descriptive labels for recycling containers.
· Seasonal decline in landfill activity.
· Attended the February ISOSWO board meeting.
Benton County. Parizek reported:
· Seasonal decrease in waste tonnage at landfill.
· Working to establish a collection program for electronics (CRT).
· Reviewing recycling programs and procedures.
Iowa City / .lohnson County, Neumann and Thomas reported:
· Submitting a HHM education grant. Considering a grant application for a mobile HHM
collection unit in March.
· Considering waiving the compost site tip fee for communities that enact a complete open
burning ban.
IOWA CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT
USE OF FORCE REPORT
January 2005
OFFICER DATE INC # INCIDENT FORCE USED
58,04 010105 05-28 OWI Subject assaulted Officer and was
directed toward the ground where they
refused to put hands behind their back.
Officers used hand control techniques
to put the subject's hands behind back
for handcuffing.
18 010505 05-496 Fight Subject resisted arrest and attempted to
assault another Officer. Officer used
hand control techniques to put the
subject's hands behind back for
handcuffing.
06 010605 05-639 Trespass Subject assaulted Officers and was
exposed to a chemical irritant. Officer
used hand control techniques to put the
subject's hands behind back for
handcuffing.
15 010805 05-911 Fight Officer observed subject with what
appeared to be a handgun. Officer
drew sidearm and ordered subject
against a wall. The weapon was found
to be a BB gun made to be an exact
replica of an actual handgun.
21 010905 05-1132 Assist other Agency Officer assisted JCSO with a felony
with Traffic Stop traffic stop on 3 burglary suspects.
Officer drew sidearm during stop while
suspects were being taken into custody.
59 010905 05-1141 Theft/Harassment Subject resisted arrest. Officer used
hand control techniques to put subject's
hands behind his back to be
handcuffed.
13,02 011005 05-1354 Traffic Stop/Recovered Officers drew sidearms while suspect
Stolen Vehicle driving a stolen vehicle was taken into
custody.
19,42 011105 05-1497 Traffic Stop Subject was taken into custody for a
driving offense and resisted arrest.
Officers directed the subject to the
ground and used hand control
techniques to put the subject's hands
behind their back to be handcuffed.
58 011205 05-1521 Fight Subject was placed under arrest. While
being handcuffed subject refused to
place hands behind his back. Officer
used hand control techniques to put
subject's hands behind back to be
handcuffed.
12 011405 05-1839 Traffic Stop Subject refused to stop for a marked
squad car with top lights and siren
activated. Subject eventually did pull
over and was taken into custody.
81 011405 05-1836 Fight Subject had been placed under arrest
and handcuffed. Subject refused to put
legs into squad car for transportation.
Officer used control technique to assist
subject into car.
84 011505 05-2022 Fight Subject resisted arrest. Officer used
control techniques to escort subject
away from an establishment and
handcuffing.
19 011505 05-2157 Traffic Stop Suspect fled on foot from a traffic stop
and entered a residence. Officer
entered the same residence with
sidearm drawn and ordered the subject
to the ground. The subject complied
and was handcuffed.
31 011505 05-2022 Fight Subject had been placed under arrest
and handcuffed. Subject then refused
to walk to a squad car. Officers carried
subject to squad car.
15 011505 05-2116 Harassment Subject was taken into custody on an
arrest warrant. Subject resisted arrest
and was directed toward the ground.
Officers used hand control techniques
to handcuff the subject and were
unsuccessful. Subject was then
exposed to a chemical irritant. Subject
then complied and was taken into
custody.
17,18 011705 05-2399 Assault Subject had been arrested and
handcuffed for an assault. Subject
refused to sit in the squad car to be
transported. Officer used a control
techmque to assist subject into squad
car.
28 011905 05-2875 Injured Animal Officer used sidearm to dispatch an
injured deer.
05,95 011905 05-2722 Intoxicated Subject Subject fled from Officers on foot.
Subject was caught and directed to the
ground. Subject refused handcuffing
efforts. Officers then used hand control
techniques to place handcuffs on the
subject.
19 011905 05-2846 Injured Animal Officer used sidearm to dispatch a sick
raccoon.
36 012105 05-3165 Injured Animal Officer used sidearm to dispatch an
injured deer.
19 012205 05-3417 Traffic Stop Officer observed a handgun next to the
driver of a vehicle that had been
stopped. Officer drew sidearm while
occupants of the vehicle were taken
into custody. The weapon was found to
be a BB gun.
34 012305 05-3522 Injured Animal Officer used sidearm to dispatch an
injured deer.
06 012605 05-3920 Fight Subject was taken into custody and
resisted arrest. Subject refused to walk
to squad car and had to be carried by
Officers. Subject then refused to get
into squad car. Officers used control
techniques to assist subject into squad
car.
56 012705 05-4231 Injured Animal Officer used sidearm to dispatch an
injured deer.
01 012805 05-4352 Injured Animal Officer used sidearm to dispatch an
injured deer.
29,58 012805 05-4292 Bar Check Subject was taken into custody and
resisted arrest. Officers used hand
control techniques to put subject's
hands behind back for handcuffing.
31,05 012905 05-4631 Intoxicated Subject Subject fled on foot from Officers.
Officers caught subject and directed
him to the ground for handcuffing.
46 012905 05-4548 Animal Complaint Officer used sidearm to dispatch a dog
that had bitten another subject and then
attempted to attack the Officer.
17 013005 05-4659 Fight Subject had been arrested and refused
to sit in squad car to be transported.
Officer used control techniques to assist
subject into squad car.
21 013105 05-4822 Assault Subject had been placed under arrest
for assault. Subject refused to remain
in a seated position while at ICPD.
Officer used control techniques to assist
subject into a seated position.
CC: City Manager, Chief, Captains, Lieutenants, Training Sergeant, City Clerk, Library
IP17
MINUTES Approved
CITY COUNCIL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
FEBRUARY 1,2005
CITY HALL, PLANNING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPT. CONFERENCE ROOM
Members Present: Ernie Lehman, Bob Elliot, Regenia Bailey
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Steve Nasby
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Chairperson Lehman called the meeting to order at 2:00 P.M.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM NOVEMBER 19, 2004
Motion: Elliot moved to approve the minutes from November 19, 2004 meeting as written. Bailey
seconded.
Motion passed 3-0.
TOUR OF LEAR CORPORATION PLANT
Nasby said that the group was invited to tour the Lear Corporation Plant in Iowa City, located at 2500
Highway 6. He said that transportation had been arranged so members of the public or media were
welcome to join the tour. The Committee boarded an Iowa City bus and traveled to Lear for a plant tour.
Upon arrival at Lear several members of the Lear management team highlighted the operations of the
Iowa City facility and invited the Committee to do a walk through the plant to see the operations first hand.
Following the completion of the plant tour the Committee thanked the Lear management team for the tour
and information. The Committee boarded the bus and traveled back to City Hall.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 4:10 P.M.
City Council Economic Development Committee Minutes
February 1, 2005
Page 2
Council Economic Development Committee
Attendance Record
2005
Ternl
Name Expires 02/01 00/00 00/00 00/00 00/00 00/00 00/00
Regenia Bailey 01/02/08 x
Bob Elliott 01/02/08 x
Ernest Lehman 01/02/06 x
Key:
X = Present
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
NM = No Meeting
..... Not a Member
IP18
MINUTES APPROVED
SCATTERED SITE HOUSING TASKFOROE
DECEMBER 13, 2004
LOBBY CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Don Anciaux, Jerry Anthony, Darlene Clausen, Matthew Hayek, Jan Left, Sally
Stutsman, Joan Vandenberg
STAFF PRESENT: Steve Nasby, Steve Rackis
OTHERS PRESENT: Charles Eastham, Amanda Cline, Maryann Dennis, Gerry Klein
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Hayek called the meeting to order at 5:05 pm.
Approval of the December 6, 2004 Minutes:
Hayek said the minutes from the December 6, 2004 meeting are not yet available, and will be reviewed at
the next meeting.
DELIBERATIONS REGARDING RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE CITY COUNCIL
Hayek began by noting he will have to leave at 6:30 p.m. and Stutsman said she would also need to
leave by then. Hayek then reviewed the decisions from the December 6 meeting, including a consensus
on five criteria to be used to define concentration, which will be applied to the different parts of Iowa City.
The first criterion uses data from table 2 from the Physical Inventory of Assisted Housing, indicating the
percent per tract of all assisted housing units citywide. The second criterion use data from table 1 of the
Inventory, indicating the percent of all assisted rental units citywide, with the addition of a 10 percentage
point threshold as defined by CITY STEPS. The third criterion is the location of services per census tract
and/or in school attendance areas. Fourth, poverty levels per census tract. Fifth, mobility rates in
elementary schools, if that data can be linked to poor academic performance.
Hayek noted that additional information was in the packets from Greater Iowa City Housing Fellowship
(GICHF) and the school district. The GICHF data was submitted by Eastham at the December 6 meeting.
Hayek invited Eastham to discuss his data.
Eastham explained that the data is a comparison of proficiency in reading, as measured by 2003 ITBS
scores from third through sixth grades, related to the measure of school stability given to the Taskforce at
an earlier meeting. It also compares to the percent of free/reduced lunch enrollment from kindergarten
through sixth grades at all elementary schools. However, data was not plotted for schools with Iow
enrollment in free/reduced. In response to a question he said that there were five schools with less than
30 students enrolled in free/reduced lunch.
Eastham noted that Vandenberg provided stability data, expressed as a percentage, which he used
because of the apparent relationship between stability and academic proficiency. The measures for
stability and proficiency were not from the same year. The proficiency data used was from the 2002
school year, while the stability data was from 2003.
Anciaux arrived.
Vandenberg asked which ICCSD handout the data was gathered. Eastham answered it was the one she
provided to the Taskforce from a couple months ago. Eastham continued by saying that though there is a
noticeable difference in proficiency in five schools, but no relationship is apparent from the plotted data
between proficiency and stability. He suggested that school proficiency is affected at least as much by
other factors as by mobility.
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December 13, 2004
Page 2
Vandenberg asked what five schools had Iow proficiency. Eastham replied they are the schools with 60-
70% of students who are not proficient, and includes Lemme, Twain, Wood, Coralville Central, and
Longfellow. He noted that when comparing Hills and Roosevelt, those two schools have relatively better
proficiency rates in spite of very different mobility rates and comparable free/reduced enrollment.
Vandenberg asked where the percentage of free/reduced students who are not proficient came from.
Eastham said it was taken from the 2002 data provided by the School District. Vandenberg asked if the
tables he presented used data from different years. Eastham replied yes, though the data is only one year
apart.
Vandenberg noted how stability and mobility are defined and this might be different. Mobility tracks the
number of instances of students enrolling and leaving in one school year. Stability is the number of
students who attend one school for one full year. Eastham replied that his recollection of the presentation
from the School District indicated stability is a more accurate measure of student movement than mobility,
which is why he used the stability number. Vandenberg added that impact on the school mobility would
be a greater measure because of movement in and out of classrooms. Eastham said the same
comparison could be done using mobility instead, though it may indicate even less of a relationship than
comparing stability.
Vandenberg asked for confirmation that the data used for Wickham, which indicates 50% of students in
third through sixth grades enrolled in free/reduced lunch were not proficient, was from 2002. Eastham
replied yes, he did not have non-proficiency data from 2003. Vandenberg noted, using Wickham as an
example, that the total enrollment of free/reduced is probably lower at some of the schools indicated.
Total number on free/reduced lunch at Wickham was 25. She added that she is interested in viewing data
on the tables from the same year. Eastham said he would do a new table using different data, if available,
though he thought the relationships probably would not change.
Hayek asked for confirmation that Eastham is saying there is not a significant relationship between
stability and proficiency. Eastham replied that the data does not indicate a relationship between less
stability, higher free/reduced lunch rates, and proficiency. Hayek confirmed that Eastham is saying that
the impact on proficiency is negligible, regardless of how stable the school enrollment is for the student.
Eastham answered that stability is not the most obvious factor indicated, and there are a large number of
factors within a school that influence proficiency. He also noted that it is unknown whether there is a link
between this data and the number of assisted housing units in the attendance areas.
Hayek asked if the rest of the Taskforce had any additional questions on Eastham's data. Clausen asked
for reiteration of the explanation of the difference between stability and mobility. Anthony replied mobility
indicates students who enroll and leave a particular school, while stability indicates the number of
students who remained enrolled for a full year. Vandenberg added that the data is gathered by fiscal year,
and that Iowa City has a high mobility rate because of it being a University town. Anthony agreed, noting
that Iowa City has 48% of its units as rental housing.
Left pointed out that enrollment can change dramatically after the school year begins. For example, in
one school 82 new elementary students enrolled after the official count in September, and the school that
added the most students was Twain. The official enrollment count is due on the third Friday in
September, and determines how much money the schools receive. Anciaux asked for confirmation that
schools do not receive additional State funding for students who enroll after the official count is submitted.
Left replied that is correct, schools do not receive funding until the following year.
Vandenberg noted in regards to the mobility rate for Twain in 2002, that the school added 100 students
from January through the end of the school year. Stutsman asked if Twain is on track to duplicate that
number. Vandenberg replied no. Left said that the school that has added the most students this year so
far has been Twain.
Dennis asked how many of the students live in assisted housing. Vandenberg and Leff replied that
information is unknown. Dennis asked how many assisted housing units were added in that attendance
area, Vandenberg replied the number of additional assisted housing units since July might be available.
Gathering information on new student addresses may be possible, as well. It also depends on how
assisted housing is defined, though she estimates that a large number were on some sort of support.
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Page 3
Anthony said it is unlikely 83 units of assisted housing have been added since July, so he hesitates to
assume a link between the added students and assisted housing. Vandenberg noted that the 83 students
added were from 2002, and was closely related to the transitional shelter units and subsidized housing
available in the area.
Vandenberg noted additional data submitted from the School District database, which looked at fourth
grade reading comprehension scores. National standards are that a score of 40% or lower is not
proficient, 41-90% is intermediate proficiency, and high proficiency is greater than 90%. Vandenberg
added that poverty and proficiency are not perfectly linked. There are economically disadvantaged
children who do well academically.
Peterson arrived.
Vandenberg said that approximately 19.5% of students in the entire school district were not proficient,
while 39.2% of students new to the district that year were not proficient. The second number includes all
new students, including ones that had just moved to Iowa City before the tests were administered. The
next table separated out the numbers in relation to free/reduced lunch enrollment that showed 46% of
students who were on free/reduced lunch were not proficient. Of students on free/reduced lunch who
were not in the district the previous year, 53.5% were not proficient. She noted there is a dramatic
comparison with the number of students who are and are not on free/reduced, with non-proficiency in
students on free/reduced lunch higher than the general population by almost 20 percentage points.
Vandenberg said additionally about mobility in general that it is an issue even for children who not in
poverty, though it strongly correlates to poverty. Children are much more likely to change schools if they
come from families with incomes below $10,000.
The last page of the data Vandenberg submitted includes mobility information for the past four years. The
numbers are calculated by dividing the number of incidences in and out of each building by the total
enrollment of that building. The numbers vary widely from building to building. She added that some
schools have Behavior Disorder (BD) or ESL programs, which students move into and out of, and is
included in the data.
Hayek asked which schools offer BD and ESL programs. Vandenberg replied she does not have the BD
data on hand, though she knows that Longfellow has BD and ESL, Mann, Roosevelt, and Kirkwood have
ESL, and Horn, Wood, and Twain have BD. She can gather that information to ensure its accuracy.
Stutsman asked if students are transferred in from other attendance areas for these programs.
Vandenberg replied they are sometimes, though that varies as well. Students are kept in their home
schools when possible, though that is not always the case.
Anthony asked how the district mobility data compares statewide. Vandenberg replied it depends on what
part of the state is being compared. She has not seen that particular data released from the State
Department of Education, but it may be available. Left said the UEN, which includes the eight largest
districts in the state, might have that information. Vandenberg replied that the data is collected for Iowa
City, but is not submitted to the State, and that she can check on it. Anthony said he would like to
compare Iowa City mobility rates to the rest of the State, as well as to national statistics.
Anthony asked whether the mobility data distinguishes between students who change schools within the
district, and those who enter and leave the district. Vandenberg replied that one of the charts details any
movement in and out of the school buildings, but the ITBS score database does not distinguish students
that way.
Anthony asked for confirmation that a student transferring from one school to another within the district
would be recorded as two separate incidents. Vandenberg and Left replied that is correct. Anthony
suggested that the mobility rate could also reflect the local housing market, so areas with high number of
rental units would have a corresponding high mobility rate. Lower rental areas would have lower rates of
mobility within the district.
Anthony said he agrees that mobility is an issue that affects school performance. However, it is unclear
whether that is an issue in Iowa City because the data does not distinguish between movement within the
district and movement into and out of the district. According to a paper from the State Department of
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December 13, 2004
Page 4
Education website, one study concluded that residential stability may alleviate many of these issues, and
one way to increase residential stability would be to increase the amount of available affordable housing
in the area. This may help reduce the amount of intra-district mobility.
Anthony went back to note the data submitted by Eastham, saying that while charts using data from the
same year could be created, it is unlikely the results would change drastically. Also, he asked why the
focus is on only two schools, since other schools have high non-proficiency rates as well. For example,
Roosevelt has a stability rate of approximately 75%, which is about same as Longfellow, yet the two
schools' proficiency rates are very different. Additionally, many schools have higher non-proficient rates,
so perhaps a larger issue is being missed. Hills has a high free/reduced rate, but less than 40% are not
proficient, while Lemme has only 20% enrollment in free/reduced, but has a 60% rate of non proficiency.
Vandenberg replied that the data might be misleading because of a wide range in the number of students
at the individual schools. For example, there are only 20 students at Lemme enrolled in free/reduced
lunch. Also, some schools already have many interventions in place, which would indicate that additional
programs have had a positive impact.
Anthony agreed, but pointed out that parents might ask why interventions are not in place at other
schools with high non-proficient rates. Vandenberg replied that it is because overall, Twain and Wood are
less proficient. Lemme only falls into that category when the data is disaggregated. Anthony noted that
standard practice in policy discussions typically involves comparing percentages, because it standardizes
issues.
Vandenberg compared Lemme and Twain. Lemme has 30 non-proficient students, while Twain has 66
who are not proficient. She agreed that additional supports would help all the schools. However, the
schools that lack stability and performance overall are the ones that get the most attention. Twain's
numbers would be even higher if it was not receiving so much additional funding for additional programs.
There is a difference between the overall percent and the percent of the free/reduced lunch population.
Vandenberg said that according to the chart supplied by Eastham, the schools with high instability are
indicated, though Roosevelt is an anomaly. While it may depend on how the data is viewed, her reading
of the data indicates there is a problem with having high concentrations of poverty in the Wood and Twain
attendance areas.
Stutsman left the meeting.
Anthony said he does not see evidence of that link from the chart, because the line through the chart is
horizontal and does not indicate a relationship. Penn also could be included in the category. Vandenberg
asked for confirmation that Anthony is referencing the first chart. Anthony replied yes, and continued by
pointing out that Mann has stability issues due to a high number of students who are children of graduate
students, so should be performing poorly.
Left asked what the percentage of foreign students is at Mann. Vandenberg replied that Mann has a mix.
The free/reduced lunch number is lower, and many students come from other, more stable
neighborhoods. The number of ESL students who were not proficient is not available.
Vandenberg said that 46.5% of free/reduced students who had been in the district less than a year were
proficient, while 80.5% are proficient throughout the district. Anthony noted that while the table may
indicate that students who just moved are less proficient than students who have been here longer, that
percentage does not give any information about where the students live, whether in assisted housing or
not, or in what school they are enrolled.
Anthony pointed out that with Iowa City being one of the better school districts in the nation, it would be
surprising if there were not a gap in performance with students who just arrived. While the data says that
students who arrived recently are not doing as well, it is not helpful since it is not linked to assisted
housing or what school they are attending
Hayek suggested using the second number on the chart to answer the question of where students are
located. Anthony replied that would not work because the overall percentage does not indicate which
schools the students enrolled in. Hayek clarified that the second number can be used to show that
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Page 5
students on average perform more poorly when coming to this school district, as opposed to where the
students came from.
Anciaux asked how many students are in 4~h grade. Vandenberg replied that 717 students were tested
this year. Anciaux asked how many were not in the district last year. Vandenberg replied she does not
have that data.
Vandenberg said that according to her knowledge, in areas with high rates of mobility and poverty,
students do not do well academically. She asked if there was agreement with that statement. Anthony
replied absolutely, all evidence and data shows that high mobility and poverty leads to poor school
performance.
Vandenberg said she does not need to tie the mobility to assisted housing, because it is a question of
poverty and housing density. She does not want to increase the amount of poverty in an area that already
has concentrations of poverty. She asked if some conclusion about the negative effects of poverty could
be drawn already.
Anthony replied that the issue is that the data cannot be tied to where students live, and other factors may
confound the data. He continued by agreeing that generally, mobility has an impact on performance, but it
does not appear to be strongly impacting certain schools' performance, according to the data available.
Reducing the rate of mobility would probably improve performance at all the schools. However, changing
mobility rates in Iowa City would be very difficult because the economy is very transient because of the
University, as well as the expensive housing market. Those two factors will make improving mobility rates
in the district overall very difficult.
Vandenberg pointed out that while people's mobility cannot be changed, public policy could be developed
to prevent an increase in poverty in certain areas. It is safe to conclude that increasing poverty rates will
increase mobility rates. Anthony replied he is not sure that is true, because even people who are not poor
who live in Iowa City cannot afford a house. That fact will affect elementary students' mobility within the
school district. He agrees that mobility is an issue, but in an area with such a high turnover rate, he is
unsure how much it can be reduced. He noted that resources or students could be shifted around in the
district if the two can be linked, but he does not see that strong a link.
Vandenberg said that though mobility rates may not be changeable in Iowa City, she would like to
develop some sort of policy that will encourage certain kinds of development to occur in other areas of the
City. She would like to have a community that does not have pockets where people live close together
and have high rates of poverty. Anthony replied that he agreed, but though he would like to use the
mobility data, no clear link has been established between mobility and performance, and there is no link
to assisted housing.
Hayek said the Taskforce members need to decide individually if the data indicates a link between
mobility and school performance or not. Vandenberg added there are many ways to interpret data, and
there are so many variables at work, such as additional support given to certain schools. Left noted that
each school has its own personality and may have other factors affecting their mobility rates, which
makes using a straight percentage difficult.
Anthony suggested moving some populations of students to othe~ schools to help raise overall scores. An
assisted housing policy would take years to have an effect on the schools, but strategic redistribution of
students through bussing or other means might make faster changes in the meantime.
Hayek asked whether the mobility criterion should be maintained or removed from the list. Anthony said it
should be removed, as the link between mobility and school performance requires a leap of faith. He
agrees that it has an impact, but the data does not show a strong relationship. Also, there is no link
between mobility and assisted housing. Left and Vandenberg said to keep it. Anthony said he wants to
rely on evidence to create a defensible policy in the final analysis. Also, there are four other criteria that
can be used and only quantifiable and identifiable data should be used.
Anciaux asked whether people in affordable housing are more stable. Anthony replied that people who
live in affordable ownership housing have more stability than those who do not. This is true for both rental
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December 13, 2004
Page 6
and ownership, but more so with ownership. Vandenberg noted that one of the points made by Habitat for
Humanity is that people who live in their own homes do better in school. Anthony agreed.
Hayek said that the fifth criterion was accepted at the last meeting, so it may need to be officially dropped
from the list if that is the wish of the Taskforce. Anthony said that at the last meeting, the data was not
available. Clausen added that it was stated the data would be used if it showed a link to proficiency.
Hayek agreed, and said now it is up to the individual Taskforce members whether the data shows a link
or not.
Anthony said there is a question on two links, between mobility and performance, and between mobility
and assisted housing. Hayek noted that the link to assisted housing is a second issue, because the only
stipulation made at the last meeting was the necessity for a link between mobility and school
performance. Hayek agreed that the question of the link to assisted housing would have to be addressed
at some point, perhaps as an impact rather than a criterion. He added that he is satisfied with the link
between mobility and performance, and the second link warrants discussion later on.
Rackis asked why consideration was not being given to Penn, Kirkwood, Lucas, and Coralville Central
schools, given the data submitted by Eastham. Their rates of non-proficiency all exceeded Twain, though
Wood had the highest rate of non-proficiency of all schools. Vandenberg asked whether those numbers
were based on percentages. Rackis said they are total numbers. Vandenberg asked which table Rackis is
referencing. Hayek asked Rackis to hold it up. Vandenberg noted that the rates at Twain are affected by
interventions already in place at that school.
Rackis asked whether the high rates at Twain and Wood are from students in assisted housing.
Vandenberg replied the higher rates are caused by concentration of poverty. Rackis pointed out that even
if poverty is concentrated because of assisted housing, tract 18 still has 57% owner-occupied units.
Anciaux said he thinks the block data might prove to be more helpful in that analysis.
Hayek said that multiple criteria would allow more areas to be defined as concentrations. One or two of
the criteria will identify some schools or areas, but having multiple criteria will operate as checks and
balances. After applying the criteria to the different area and seeing how things work out, then the
Taskforce can look for trends and consistencies in areas that fulfill multiple criteria, and then draw
conclusions.
Vandenberg noted that people have different views of the data, which leads to an impasse. Hayek replied
that each person on the Taskforce will come to an individual decision about each issue, but extenuating
factors can be brought into the explanation of the findings. For example, in regards to the question about
which schools should raise concerns, while unexpected schools may be flagged by using some of the
criteria, they may not fit into the overall consideration because they do not fulfill enough criteria points, or
because of extenuating circumstances.
Vandenberg asked whether there is consensus that having multiple large assisted housing programs and
complexes in a very small area is an issue that requires intervention by some sort of public policy.
Peterson replied yes it is an issue. However, there are some leaps involved in going from problems in the
schools due to the unstable, high poverty areas, to changes in the housing policy that may have far-
reaching and unforeseen ramifications on the availability of affordable housing. It seems like an
educational issue is being addressed by examining housing.
Vandenberg said it is a neighborhood issue, but that schools are strongly involved because they have
quantifiable data. The police data was not very helpful, for example. Peterson agreed there is a problem,
and that she unaware of any other area in the county with the kind of concentration of that kind of housing
cited by Vandenberg.
Vandenberg asked for a sense of where the Taskforce members are, in terms of their opinions on the
subject. Anthony replied that he sees no link at all between school performance and assisted housing,
and is very concerned about how the process to consider assisted housing was started. He asked why
other factors are not under consideration, such as the age of the housing or race. He would like a clear
link between assisted housing and the criteria the Taskforce is using. For example, if mobility can be
clearly linked to school performance and also to assisted housing, then it should be used. Otherwise,
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December 13, 2004
Page 7
there is other data available that can be linked to assisted housing. He would also like to expand the list
of criteria.
Anthony added that he would like to restrict consideration to solid evidence, and a solid link to assisted
housing, because the Taskforce's findings will be challenged. He would like to remove criteria that do not
have firm evidence to support it. If it is controversial and debatable within the Taskforce, drop that
criterion.
Hayek asked if the Taskforce would like to drop all the current criteria and work backwards from the
desired goal. Anthony agreed that is a good idea, since there seems to be a strong opinion that no more
assisted housing should go into tract 18.
Clausen said she is not comfortable with the mobility data as it stands, and does not believe it shows a
good link or make very much sense because there are just as many schools that fall above the line as
below it. She noted she would like to look at the size of the complexes in question as a criterion for
concentration, because of large complexes having such a high number of families living close together
Peterson noted that the kind of housing is important, that there is less of a problem with assisted housing
than with high services/high needs transitional housing. Needs are different for people in shelter and
transitional housing, as opposed to a family that only needs assisted housing. Hayek said that it appears
the Taskforce members can agree with that statement.
Anciaux asked if more assisted housing should go into transitional areas. Peterson replied it depends on
the type, because the category of assisted housing is so large. Anciaux said that some sort of poverty is
necessary to live in assisted housing, so if a tract already has a high amount of transitional housing and
poverty in it, should more assisted housing be put in that tract, bringing in more poverty? Peterson
answered that it would depend on the available alternatives for providing affordable housing. If there were
no alternatives for providing affordable housing, then she would not be able to support a limitation on
where it can be built.
Clausen noted one alternative would be putting assisted housing elsewhere, into areas that currently
have none. Anciaux agreed it would be built somewhere. Hayek asked for confirmation that Anciaux is
asking about assisted housing that would be built in the future, rather than moving currently existing
housing. Anciaux replied yes, he means housing planned to be built in the future, and asked if it should
be directed into the same area or elsewhere? Peterson answered that the issue is not black and white,
since the category of assisted housing is so large and she does not know the ramifications of answering
the question, even theoretically.
Vandenberg said that one implication might be to cut off assisted housing, which is not something anyone
on the Taskforce wants to see happen. However, she would like to have some effort made to combat
NIMBY-ism and have a public policy that would allow other kinds of housing to be available in other areas
of the City. Also, if more assisted housing will be going into the southeast side of town, she would like
consideration given to the additional supports needed by families in transitional and shelter housing that
would allow them to become self-sufficient, and a policy that allocates money to those services.
Peterson said that asking for money for services is a different argument than asking for a policy that
restricts assisted housing. Hayek replied that no one has said that assisted housing will be restricted.
Vandenberg noted there is fear that assisted housing will be too restricted. Hayek agreed, but added that
while there are a number of different responses available, that aspect is more appropriate for the
solutions end of the discussion. He said he does not believe the Taskforce would recommend against
additional assisted housing being built in tract 18 without also strongly recommending that housing be
made available elsewhere in the City.
Peterson said that there seemed to be a sudden leap from looking at the definition of concentration to
asking whether more housing should be put in a particular place. She asked for confirmation of what is
currently being discussed, Whether it centers around the School District or something else. Vandenberg
suggested that the Taskforce is being bogged down, and agreed that working backwards may yield better
results.
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Page 8
Anciaux asked what the shortage in assisted housing currently is within the community. Anthony said the
numbers are available. Hayek noted the CITY STEPS document would have that information. Anthony
added that Iowa City has the most expensive housing and the lowest homeowner rate in the State.
Hayek said that the plan was to apply several defensible, quantifiable measurements to each area. The
areas may be census tracts, school attendance areas, or something else. The plan was to apply the
measure to the areas see how things fit in according to the criteria, and see whether patterns will appear.
Perhaps there is only one area in town with these strong concerns, and the recommendation of the
Taskforce would be to take steps to alleviate that one situation. However, a consensus needs to be
reached among the Taskforce members. If there is a lot of disagreement over the criteria list, then
another approach may be needed.
Clausen noted there is a lot of disagreement with criteria point 5. Also, the locations of services per
census tract are not available. Once that data is available, applying the criteria may work. She added that
she is not sure if the current criteria list has the right things on it, though it is a good start.
Vandenberg asked what table 1 data will tell the Taskforce. Anciaux replied that data might not be as
beneficial as block group data may be. For example, there is a difference between the western and
southeastern ends of tract 18. Also, tract four can be examined this way, which includes Pheasant Ridge.
Vandenberg added that the different types of housing have not been nailed down. Peterson replied that
particular discussion is supposed to happen later, with the secondary considerations noted at the bottom
of the criteria list.
Hayek said that the Taskforce members are all trying to do the right thing. Anthony agreed, noting that if
the process were easy it would have been done already. Rackis added that common ground may already
have been identified, because there seems to be agreement that there are different concerns for different
types of housing. That raises the question of density, in terms of a duplex or townhouse, versus an
apartment complex. Peterson said she does not like lumping different types of assisted housing together.
Anciaux asked if more assisted housing is wanted, in general. Peterson replied that it depends on what
type. She does not see assisted housing as being one thing. Anciaux noted that census tract data is not
specific enough, either.
Hayek asked if the Taskforce would like to vote on the mobility data. Anciaux recommended waiting until
the next meeting. Hayek asked whether the other criteria should be kept and applied as planned. Left
suggested making mobility a secondary consideration. Hayek replied that is possible. Clausen agreed
that if mobility is reclassified, the individual circumstances for each school can be easily detailed.
Vandenberg said that more research could be done for the free/reduced data as well.
Hayek asked when the Taskforce should next meet. There are five Mondays in January. He would like
the Taskforce members to look at the data and criteria before the next meeting, and consider the
possibility of moving mobility to a secondary consideration.
Clausen asked if the data could be sent out a week earlier, to give more time to evaluate it. Nasby replied
he does not know when the block group data will be available, as the students are not back from break
until the middle of January. The data may not be ready until January 18.
Vandenberg suggested all the members thinking about what they believe to be true about the data
already, and look for common ground. Hayek said that individually, all can consider criteria points I and
2, and locations of services once that is provided. Nasby asked what services are wanted for mapping?
Clausen suggested public services. Anciaux suggested any service that assists a Iow-income person.
Nasby said that could include almost any service, so a better definition is needed. Peterson said that
since the definition currently includes students, elderly, disabled, and all types of housing, the list could be
extensive. Hayek suggested working with Peterson and City Staff to develop a list of services for
consideration by the Taskforce.
Vandenberg said that the Taskforce needs to define assisted housing. A lot is involved by including
students, elderly, and disabled, so terms need to be defined. Hayek replied that qualifications can be
noted if areas are identified inappropriately by the criteria, for example because it is a student area or
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December 13, 2004
Page 9
because of some other reason. Vandenberg noted that excluding certain populations would also exclude
some services.
Clausen asked for the United Way web address. Rackis said the Iowa City site has links to just about
everything, including to the United Way site. Hayek suggested Rackis email the address to him, and he
will email it to the Taskforce. Peterson said that the United Way website is not a comprehensive list of
human services. She noted that if all populations will be included, the Taskforce's list should be
comprehensive.
Hayek said work would be done to gather the additional information before the next meeting on January
3, 2005. Peterson asked how the locations of services would be determined. Hayek said he would work
with her and City Staff to come up with a list, and then circulate it to the Taskforce members for their
approval. Vandenberg asked if it would include all services. Peterson said since all populations are being
included, all services should be considered. Hayek said that reasons for excluding certain services could
be addressed during the discussion of secondary considerations.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to come before the taskforce, Anthony moved to adjourn. Vandenberg
seconded, and the motion passed uncontested. The meeting was adjourned at 6:35 pm.
s:lpcdlminutes/ ScatteredSiteHousingTaskforce/12-13-04ssht.d oc
Scattered Site Housing Taskforce
Attendance Record
2004
04/29 05/12 05/17 06/07 06/21 07/12 07/19 08/02 08/16 08/30 09/20 10/04 10/18 11/08 11/22 12/06 12/13
D. Anciaux X X X X X O/E O/E X X X O/E X X X X X X
J. Anthony X O/E X X X X O/E X X X X X X X X X X
D. Clausen X X X X X X X X O/E X X X X X X X X
M. Hayek X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
J. Left X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
J. Peterson X X X X O/E X X O/E X X X X X O/E O/E X X
S. Stutsman O/E X X X X O/E X O/E O/E X O/E X X X X X X
VandenBerg X X X X X X X X X O/E X X X X X X X
Key:
X = Present
0 = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
NM = No Meeting
..... Not a Member
Iowa Ci~
Public Library
BOARD OF TRUgTEES Agend~ item 3A
Minutes
5:00 pm - January 27, 2005
2nd Floor Board Room
David VanDusseldorp, President
Linzee McCray, Vice President
Thomas Dean
Kathy Gloer
William Korf
Linda Prybll
Pat Schnack, Secretary
Tom Suter
Jim Swalm
Members Present: Kathy Gloer, William Korf, Linzee McCray, Pat Schnack,, Tom
Suter, Jim Swaim, David VanDusseldorp,
Members Absent: Thomas Dean, Linda Prybil
Staff Present: Barb Black, Maeve Clark, Susan Craig, Debb Green, Heidi
Lauritzen, Kara Logsden, Martha Lubaroff, Patty McCarthy
Call meeting to Order
VanDusseldorp called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm
Public Discussion
Kathy Penningroth and Marisue Hartung, Executive Director of the Iowa Women's
Foundation, presented the library with a copy of their newly published book called
History of the Iowa Women's Foundation. The book will be added to the collection.
Approval of minutes
The minutes for the planning meeting of December 9, 2004, were approved, after a
motion by Swaim and a second by Suter. All voted in favor and the motion carried 7-0.
The minutes for the regular meeting of December 16, 2004, were approved after a motion
by Suter and a second by Schnack. All voted in favor and the motion carried 7-0.
Agenda item 3A
Page No 2
Unfinished Business
Lease Space/Extension of contract.
Kevin Hanick distributed a summary of the marketing plan for the leased space. As of
January 26 they have had 34 appointments to show the space. He feels there is still
interest in one tenant for both levels, but it is also possible that if we could be successful
with identifying a tenant for the entire basement, perhaps we could then think about
marketing the first floor as two spaces. His plan outlined possibilities for leasing.
Hanick continues to be enthusiastic and would like to continue working on it. Hanick
will reach out more to his own colleagues since there is evidence that there haven't been
many showings by other realtors.
Board discussed the advantage of renewing the contract with Lepic Kroeger for six
months until July 28, 2005. A motion was made by Swaim and seconded by Gloer. All
in favor voted Aye. Motion passed 7-0.
Acceptance of Building and cabling projects
Formal acceptance is required to authorize the final payment to Knutson. Miller has a
period of thirty days to reject if needed. A sum may be withheld for contingency if all
items on the punch list are not completed. Two separate actions were needed; one for
acceptance of the building project and the other for acceptance of the cabling project for
contractor Cable Tech Inc. A motion to approve final acceptance for the building was
made by Swaim and seconded by Suter. A roll call vote was taken. All members
present voted Aye and the motion passed 7-0. A separate motion was made to approve
final payment of the cabling project by Swaim and seconded by Korf. Another roll call
was taken and all members present voted Aye. Motion passed 7-0.
Craig distributed a Building Project budget that included FY00 through year to date in
FY05. Craig said that according to her figures using estimates for project manager and
some remaining items, we were $90 over the base budget however still have a
contingency of about $50,000. Swaim said that congratulations were in order to
everyone who was involved. He commended all the contractors from the top to the
bottom for outstanding work. VanDusseldorp said a project of this size with the
complexity of schedule, staying within budget, and keeping the building open was very
awesome.
University Heights Follow-Up.
Craig distributed a memo that she drafted to Alison Galstad, Coralville PL Director and
her Board member, Donna Epley, and ICPL Board President David VanDusseldorp. In
order to get something down on paper to initiate a discussion, she suggested that
University Heights be required to sign a contract for library services with CPL and ICPL
to begin FY06. The amount of contract would be based on per capita numbers, raised
over a period of three years to match the average per capita tax support in Iowa libraries
serving communities the size of University Heights. Payments would be due on
Agenda item 3A
Page No 3
November 1 of each year and be split between Iowa City and Coralville based on the
latest available circulation figures.
Schnack asked about the community of Hills. Craig responded that she thought that
starting with University Heights would be the first step, and then Hills would be
approached the following year. University Heights is the largest and the closest
community we allow to purchase fee cards. An arrangement with them is complicated by
the fact that Coralville needs to be included. This would give University Heights the
opportunity to carry on a conversation and set a precedent for other communities.
Schnack said she was pleased to hear of this plan to provide an option for individuals
who could not buy fee cards.
Swaim asked for a review of our current policy. Currently we sell fee cards to any
individual that asks. If they receive reimbursement they deal with their town. She
estimates that in the first year the income would be approximately the same as we get
now. As the higher rates kicked in, income would rise. VanDusseldorp said it would be
fair to say that we were looking at the whole question of fee cards. Swaim is not ready to
make a decision to eliminate fee cards. Craig felt that it would be good to present a
potential consequence of not approving a contract at the February meeting since
University Heights does their budget in March. A discussion of fee cards will be on the
agenda for February. Gloer asked Craig about her statement in the memo that we could
pursue other options. Craig said she wanted to propose a plan that would be easy to
calculate each year. There has been interest from their Council and they have asked
what we wanted. But, Craig said other libraries in Iowa base their contracts on millage
rate, property values, and not necessarily numbers of patrons. The model we use with the
County uses circulation to calculate a match to local tax dollars. There are various models
on which to base a contract.
Swaim moved that we approve using this proposal to present to University Heights.
Schnack seconded. Suter asked when we would contact Hills. Craig said if this moves
along, that by spring or summer we would give Hills a heads up that we are phasing out
fee cards and have them work on it for the '07 budget. The actual contract language
would be worked out with all parties and approved by the City Attorney. All voted in
favor. Motion passed 7-0.
Report on City budget
VanDusseldorp attended the budget hearings with Craig. He presented a brief statement
to Council about the state of the library, and answered some questions. Korf and Dean
were also at the meeting. Craig felt that our 06 budget is in good shape and expects it to
be certified in March.
New Business:
FY05 Six month Plan Update.
Agenda item 3A
Page No 4
No action needed. Craig asked for questions or comments.
Conduct Policy
This policy is up for regular review. Schnack asked if it was unusual to allow food in the
library and is it a problem? Usually it is not. VanDusseldorp asked if we saw any
changes in conduct since the new building opened. Clark said No. We have more
equipment now and item 409.827 inserts a new proposal about sleeping in front of a piece
of equipment, preventing other people from using it. The staff guidelines for interpreting
the policy is more specific in terms of cell phone usage, severe body odor, etc. Swaim
said the policy was done well with positive language. In response to other questions,
Clark pointed out that some issues are covered in other policies like "Meeting Room"
and "Display". A motion to approve the policy as revised was made by Gloer and
seconded by McCray. There was no further discussion. All in favor voted Aye. Motion
carded 7-0.
Bylaws Review:
This is another periodic review. There are a few language updates. Craig raised the issue
of members being absent for four consecutive absences and to be aware that it is in the
policy. She suggested the addition of the word "unexcused" if that is what the Board
wanted. McCray moved we accept the revised Bylaws, seconded by Swaim. All voted
Aye. Motion passed 7-0.
Support for Spelling Bee
McCarthy included a request to the Board that, as in previous years, they provide
financial support of $300 for the Spelling Bee. The Library Team is Kevin Hatch, Bill
Korfand Bill Asenjo. Suter moved approval, seconded by Gloer. Motion carried
unanimously 7-0.
Staff Reports
Departmental Reports:
Adult Services, Circulation, Information
Swaim asked that information about openings on the Governor's Advisory Group be
conveyed to the teen group. Information to apply is available from the Iowa Commission
of Volunteers.
Development Office
An excited McCarthy reported that there were eighteen teams for the Spelling Bee. It
will be a fun event and she invited all the Board to attend.
Practicum students.
Agenda item 3A
Page No 5
The Library has not had any library science students doing a practicum here several
years. We have two practicum students this semester; one in Adult Services and
Information Services, and one in Children's Services.
Miscellaneous
Some news articles. Coralville Public Library has a new catalog system.
Staff included articles about Craig's being named Person of the Year by the Press
Citizen. VanDusseldorp said he was interviewed about Craig's work in the community.
On behalf of the Board, he expressed his pride in Craig and recognition for the whole
staff and facility.
President's Report
VanDusseldorp reminded Board members to be advocates for the library. Sharing library
experiences with others helps promote us in the long term.
Announcements from Members
The UAY Youth Center on Iowa Avenue is nearing completion and on February 5 and 6
they are inviting volunteers to help paint. Swaim gave Board the name and number to
contact if they were interested in volunteering.
Horace Mann has been operating a 21st century youth center at Forest View Trailer Court.
Swaim asked if we would consider doing special outreach for kids in this area; primarily
Spanish speaking. Green replied that many of the Children's Room discarded and gift
books go to Outreach Centers, and they try to find children's books in Spanish whenever
they can.
Committee Reports
Foundation members
Gloer reported that the Foundation reviewed the life insurance policy status. Some issues
were resolved and they will deal with the entire issue of life insurance policies in the
future.
The Book End had a 22% increase in the last half of '04, due largely to the library
building opening and return of traffic to Linn Street. Gloer said that the Author's event
has nine authors so far.
Six month Financial Reports
Receipts and expenditures. For the Board's information. We have spent approximately
half the budgeted income halfway through the year. Asked for questions.
Agenda item 3A
Page No 6
Use Reports
Use reports are up. All measures of use; circulation, computer use, meeting room use,
number of cards, etc. all are up from last year to date.
Disbursements
Review Visa Expenditures for December.
Disbursements for December were approved unanimously after a motion by Swaim,
seconded by Korf. All voted in favor and the motion carried 7-0.
Set agenda order for February meeting.
Reinstate Park 'n Read
Fee Cards
Adjournment
Adjoumed at 7:00 pm
Minutes taken and transcribed by
Martha Lubaroff
Agenda item 3A
Page No 7
Board or Commission: ICPL Board of Trustees
ATTENDANCE RECORD
YEAR 2005
'Meetinc
TERM 1/2
NAME EXP. 7/0
5
Thomas 7/1/09 O/e
Dean
Kathy 7/1/05 x
Gloer
Bill Korf 7/1/09 x
Linzee 7/1/09 x
McCray
Linda 7/1/05 O
Prybil
Pat 7/1/07 x
$chnack
Tom Suter 7/1/07 X
Jim 7/1/05 x
Swaim
David Van 7/1/07 x
Dusseldor
P
KEY: X = Present
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
NM = No meeting
--- = Not a Member
MINUTES PRELIMINARY
IOWA CITY PUBLIC ART ADVISORY COMMITTEE
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2005, 3:30 P.M.
LOBBY CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL IP20
Members Present: Charles Felling, Emily Martin, Mark Seabold, Emily Carter Walsh
Members Absent: Rick Fosse, James Hemsley, Terry Trueblood
Staff Present: Karin Franklin, Marcia Klingaman
Visitors: Ruth Baker (Benton Hill neighborhood resident), Jean Walker (Melrose Avenue
neighborhood resident)
Call to Order
Felling called the meeting to order at 3:40 p.m. and asked Martin to introduce herself. Martin said she is
an artist who has lived in Iowa City since the early 1970's. She passed postcards with pictures of her
work to those present. She added that she is having an exhibit throughout the month of February in
CSPS Alternative Art Space in Cedar Rapids.
Felling invited the other Committee members present to introduce themselves. Seabold said he is an
architect who has been in Iowa City since 1992. Walsh said she has been on the Public Art Committee for
two years, and is a photographer. She is working with Klingaman on the Poetry in Public project. Felling
said he is a long-time Iowa City resident. While he is a painter, he is on the committee more because he
is interested in public art.
Felling passed around pamphlets about the Longfellow Neighborhood art project.
Public discussion of any item not on the agenda
No items were presented for discussion by the committee members.
Election of Officers for 2005
Felling began by explaining that the two positions to be filled are the Chair and the Vice-Chair. He noted
that Seabold has served as Vice-Chair far the past year. Felling nominated Seabold for the position of
Chair and Martin for the position of Vice-Chair. Martin asked whether the Vice-Chair usually becomes the
Chair. Franklin said no, though it is nice to have that happen for continuity. Seabold and Martin accepted
their nominations. Walsh seconded the nominations, and Seabold and Martin were voted into the
positions unanimously.
Martin asked whether there are five citizens on the Committee. Felling said yes.
Consideration of the Minutes of December 2, 2004 Meeting
MOTION: Walsh moved to accept the minutes as submitted. Seabold seconded, and the motion was
passed unanimously.
Discussion of Benton Hill park project with Joe Prescher
Iowa City Public Art Advisory Committee Minutes
February 2, 2005
Page 2
Prescher brought in the casting positives of the sun and moon for the committee to view. He noted they
are not quite done, as some refinement is needed on the carving. He said the carving will be done in the
next few days, and then they need to go to Omaha to be cast. He will be waiting on the construction of
the plaques for a decision on the phrase. He will also be starting work on the columns soon, in the next
week.
Franklin asked for confirmation that the columns will be cast and what material will be used. Prescher said
they will be cast in concrete. He has been talking to NNW about reinforcement and other structural
concerns, and the columns will be made with reinforced rebar and poured concrete. Franklin asked if
provision is being made for conduit to run through the columns. Prescher said yes, there is a standard
rebar structure with binding that is used for conduit that will be included.
Franklin asked what color the columns will be, and whether he will be tinting or staining the concrete.
Prescher said that is still unknown.
Franklin asked what the plan is for the project going forward. Prescher replied that he will finish up the
sun and moon casting, do as much as he can on the name plaque and the phrase on the back, have
those cast in Omaha, and make the master for the column. He will have information on concrete colors at
the next meeting. He will also be discussing an alternate method for powder coating the steel. He will be
ordering steel and beginning the cutouts for the arch and the applications for the column.
Prescher continued by saying in the next three weeks he will be well into the process of casting the sun
and moon, if not done with that aspect. The steel will be in and he will be fabricating the reinforcement for
the column, and the pattern for the column will be done.
Franklin asked the committee how much more involvement they would like to have in the project going
forward regarding the other details such as color. Typically as the project moves forward, the Committee
is not very involved. However, if there is concern from Committee members on points of the project, then
the Committee can ask for further updates. She noted that a May dedication is still planned for the
project, and asked whether the details will be finalized in time for the March meeting. Prescher said he
would have that information in March.
Seabold asked if the columns would be poured on-site. Prescher said they would be poured in Fairfax. He
should have the pattern done in the next two weeks, and then will confer with the concrete supplier about
treatments for the surface. Seabold confirmed he would like to see materials and the color palette.
Franklin noted that she would like to have alt points that need follow-up with the Committee clarified
because of the past need to reschedule Committee meetings due to Prescher's teaching schedule. She
asked if Prescher could commit to meeting on Thursday in March. Prescher said yes.
Iowa City Public Art Advisory Committee Minutes
February 2, 2005
Page 3
Seabold asked if NNW has any detail about where the steel reinforcement will be tying into the column.
Prescher replied they said rebar has a standard set in place, and the arch is a standard sandwich
arrangement. He said he would also be looking into poles that have some give. He is most concerned
about the impact of the wind hitting the arch and causing the movement between it and the columns.
Seabold said the embedded plates that will be part of the columns need to be determined before they are
cast.
Franklin asked whether NNW is working for Prescher on this project. Prescher said yes. Seabold asked
who Prescher has been consulting with there. Prescher said Jane Driscoll. Seabold asked whether
Prescher would mind if Seabold gave her a call. He said no, and asked if he could call Seabold. Franklin
noted that Seabold could not be a subcontractor to Prescher. Seabold said that he would only ~ike to
review.
Prescher asked if it is possible to have the March meeting on a different day than Thursday. Franklin said
that is up to the committee. Felling, Seabold, and Walsh are all available to meet on March 2. Martin is
not available at all that week.
Baker questioned whether it would be clear that the face on the front side is a sun. Franklin said the sun's
rays would extend beyond the casting in steel. Baker suggested having the rays included in the casting,
and making the face smaller. Prescher said yes,. Franklin said it is up to Prescher.
Franklin asked whether the phrase had been decided upon. Baker said the decision would be final in
approximately a week. Franklin said that it should be sent to City Staff, who will then forward it to
Prescher.
Prescher left at this point.
Franklin asked Seabold if he would be able to talk to Jane at NNW about the structure. She would like to
have certification that the structure will be sound. Seabold said he would like to know the details of the
project, especially in regards to the connection between the columns and arch, and that is willing to talk
with her. Franklin asked him to call her and let her know the result.
Discussion of the Melrose Avenue Nei.qhborhood Association Public Art Letter of Interest
Felling asked Walker if there were any updates to the proposal letter. Walker said no, but the other
neighborhood executives are excited to go forward with the project. She is interested in knowing whether
there is any comment from the Committee regarding the project, which she would send out to the
residents in a newsletter.
Felling asked for confirmation that funding is available for this project. Franklin said yes. Klingaman said
that the Melrose Avenue Association would be the first to work through the revised procedural guidelines.
Iowa City Public Art Advisory Committee Minutes
February 2, 2005
Page 4
Felling asked if Walker has watched the video on neighborhood public art. Klingaman said no, but that it
is available. Walker said she would like to show it at a neighborhood gathering in the next several weeks.
Felling said he is willing to talk to Walker about how the Longfellow Neighborhood did their project.
Walker said she has talked to Klingaman about the process. She is currently interested in markers, which
would tell passersby about the neighborhood. Felling asked whether Melrose is a pedestrian
neighborhood, similar to Longfellow. Walker said yes, and then described the location and boundaries of
the neighborhood. It is the area across from the hospital south of Melrose Avenue. It extends from the
railroad in University Heights, which curves down to Riverside Drive, up to the Law Building area. An
historic preservation consultant came to evaluate how much of the neighborhood could be designated a
Historic District. 85 out of 150 buildings are included in the nomination to the National Register to become
an historic district. Whether the markers would go throughout the entire neighborhood or just the historic
district is still to be determined. They would also like some markers to show where the neighborhood
boundaries are.
Felling asked whether background research had been done for the historic district nomination. Walker
said yes, information was gathered up to 1967 for the nomination, which was the required timeframe. The
plan is to gather information up to the present. Felling noted that having the research done and the
information available beforehand is helpful for the discussion about what sort of art or markers are
desired. Walker agreed, and said she believes there is more than enough information available.
Seabold asked what the next step is. Franklin said Walker should come to another meeting with more
specific information about what the Neighborhood Association wants, and how the artist will be engaged.
Klingaman said the Association is seeking preliminary approval of the idea and confirmation that funding
is available. Franklin confirmed that funding is available.
Klingaman said that Creekside will likely be submitting a proposal for next fiscal year. Franklin said there
is funding available for two projects this fiscal year. There are a few potential proposals in the works.
Felling asked whether there are any artists currently living in the neighborhood who could be involved in
the project. Walker said the Association still needs to find out. Felling said that the Longfellow
Neighborhood Association had two or three meetings to decide on an idea, and then decided on an artist
based on the type of project they wanted. Walker said they might want to put something in the park as
well.
Walker asked whether there is a deadline for having the project completed. Franklin said the sooner a
decision is made on what the project will be, the better, before July 1. The Committee would like to have
the funding encumbered before the next fiscal year.
Iowa City Public Art Advisory Committee Minutes
February 2, 2005
Page 5
Felling said that having projects in various stages gives good continuity. Walker said it is exciting to get
the projects going throughout the city, even if some of the projects are copied. Walsh suggested looking
at it as mentoring the other neighborhoods. Felling said that mentoring was the original concept
suggested with the core neighborhoods.
Walker asked for confirmation that the Association can move forward. The response was in the
affirmative.
Committee time/Public discussion
Felling asked for an update on the status of the Court Street Transportation Center. Franklin said that the
final field measurements for the fence would be done in March. The artist will be working with students
during February on the tile aspect of the project. Klingaman said the artist would be working specifically
with Longfellow school, as the art teacher at that school expressed great interest in the project. Currently
the students are doing projects based on ideas developed by the art teacher and the artist. The students
ultimately will sketch a single feature or object. Then the students will do a project on ceramic tile that he
will fire and give back to them. Seabold asked what ages will be involved. Klingaman said all age groups.
Franklin said the artist would take ideas from the children's projects to make the way finding on the
different levels. He will use their ideas, but it will be his execution. The center is still scheduled to open in
July.
Felling asked for an update on the showcase sculpture. Klingaman said that Cowger has signed the
contract. Some logistics need to be worked out on the pad and how to attach the sculpture, and the artist
will be discussing those with an art instructor at UNI.
Klingaman reported that Seth Goddard has signed his contract and is currently working on his piece for
the Peninsula Park. The location will not be ready for the piece until the spring, so the project is on hold at
the moment. Klingaman noted that she needs to touch base with the engineer. Franklin said that the plan
is to install the piece in May or June. Seabold explained for Martin's benefit that this is a rotating sculpture
project targeted to university students. Franklin added that the students receive a $500 honorarium.
Klingaman reported the submissions for the Poetry in Public project will be reviewed on February 14.
Those are planned to go up in April.
Klingaman said that the Northside Neighborhood Association looked at the wax positives for their, signs.
They look nice and the Association liked the one they saw. The patina is still undecided.
Franklin said that committee members might want to think about the committee's size and whether or not
adding members should be discussed. This could go into a future discussion, especially since there is
Iowa City Public Art Advisory Committee Minutes
February 2, 2005
Page 6
some direction from the Council to look at collaborations for larger projects that would be public/private
partnerships.
Felling asked whether the new members would be individuals or representatives from business entities.
Franklin replied that is unknown. She added that there was discussion in the past about whether to keep
Fosse and Trueblood on as voting members, or have them act ex officio and recruit more members from
the community. A proposal went before the Council to increase the size of the Committee at one point,
though the timing of that proposal was poor. Applications for all boards and commissions were down at
the time, so the Council was not inclined to expand the size of the Committee. Perhaps the question
should be investigated again. Felling added that the question might be what sort of additions would be
beneficial. Franklin agreed, noting that there may be an opportunity to engage people with financial
connections in the community and the more people invested in the Committee, the more will be known
about public art in the community.
Seabold reported that he was thinking about the Arts Festival event being a reception for Cowger's
sculpture dedication, which would be open to the public. Franklin suggested getting a bank to sponsor the
event. Walsh said that submission information for the future showcase sculpture could be distributed at
the event. Baker suggested the reception could be given for all artists involved in public art projects as
welt.
Walsh asked whether the event would be in June. Seabold said yes, and that he is interested in some
sort of temporary structure that would serve to highlight public art. Franklin said that there was current
discussion about collaboration between Jazz and Arts Festivals and Friday Night Concerts, to make a
Summer Arts Season. It might be linked with things in the Cultural District as well. Public art would fit in
well with that. Seabold said he is working on ideas for the temporary structure that would be sturdy
enough for this purpose. Franklin suggested Seabold contact the organizers of Arts Fest soon to discuss
space for such a structure.
Adiournment
There being no further business to come before the Committee, Felling moved to adjourn and Martin
seconded. The meeting adjourned at 4:35 p.m.
s:lpcd/rninu~eslPublicAr*J2OOSladO2-O2-O5.doc
Public Art Advisory Committee
Attendance Record
2005
TerlTl
Name Expires 1/06 2/02 3/03 4/07 5/05 6/02 7/07 8/04 9/01 10/06 11/03 12/01
Emily CarterWalsh 01/01/08 CW X
Charles Felling 01/01/06 CW X
Jamesltemsley 01/01/06 CW O/E
Emily Martin 01/01/08 CW X
Mark Seabold 01/01/07 CW X
Rick Fosse CW O/E
Terry Trneblood CW O/E
Key:
X = Present
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
NM = No Meeting
CW = Cancelled due to Weather
..... Not a Member
IP21
MINUTES DRAFT
Iowa City Airport Commission
February 10, 2005
Iowa City Airport Terminal
Members Present: Randy Hartwig, Chair; John Staley, Carl Williams, Dan Clay,
Michelle Robnett
Staff Present: Sue Dulek
Others Present: Dave Hughes, Earth Tech, Elizabeth Freiburger, Bill Flannery,
Jack Young, Jr., John Yeomans
Determine Quorum:
Chairperson Hartwig called the meeting to order at 5:48 PM.
Approval of Minutes from January 13, 2005, Meeting:
Chairperson Hartwig asked if anyone had any corrections or changes. He noted that there
was a misspelled name; it should be John Yeomans. Under Item 8, runway 7 project, he
noted the terms "surveyor" should be "Geo Tech engineers"; "MLA" should be "MOA"
for Memorandum of Agreement. In the second paragraph, Hartwig noted that ~vhat they
were trying to convey was: "The next phase of the project would be grading, Earth Tech
is not currently under contract for this phase (the contract is under review) although Earth
Tech's Master Engineering Agreement is in effect. He also noted that instead of"in lieu
of Tuesday's Council meeting" it should read February 1st Council meeting. Staley
moved to accept the minutes as amended; seconded by Robnett. Motion carried 5 to
0.
Public Discussion - Items not on the Agenda:
None.
Items for Discussion/Action:
A. Methodist Men's Club Fly In - John Yeomans and Jack Young, Jr. co-chairs for
the fly in event were present. Yeomans discussed the insurance requirements for
the event, and stated that this is being taken care of. Saturday, May 21st is the
date of the fly in, which is also Armed Forces Day. They are planning to ask
local businesses to bring products in, such as motorcycles, boats, and trucks and
advertise during the event, as well as be listed as sponsors of the event with a cash
donation. They will plan on setting up the day before, and should be finishing up
by noon on Saturday. Questions were asked of Dulek regarding the insurance,
and she suggested they contact Erin Herting with the City of Iowa City on this.
Williams moved to allow the Methodist Men's Club Fly In on Saturday, May
21st; seconded by Robnett. Motion carried 5 to 0.
B. Runway 07 Project - Earth Tech - Dave Hughes reported that since the last
meeting, Geo Tech has made it out in the field, and they expect a report back
soon. They have also done some preliminary grading on the site so they can
proceed to the storm water modeling. He stated that he met with the City Public
Works, and also some engineers who do storm water modeling, as well as a
representative for the Mormon Trek Project, in order to tie all of the projects
together around the airport. The various procedures that will have to be followed,
such as permits with D.N.R. and F.E.M.A., were also discussed.
C. Aviation Commerce Park - Dulek stated that she passed out several items to the
members this evening, including the purchase agreement for an offer of about
$3.1 million from Wal-Mart for airport property; and a memo from Steve Atkins,
City Manager. She noted that on this Tuesday's Council meeting, there is an
agenda item to set the public hearing for this issue. An actual decision will not
take place until the March 1 Council meeting. Dulek then noted that the
Commission needs to decide if they want to recommend to the City Council to
accept the offer, or not. She noted that they should set a meeting for next week, if
possible, to review this issue. Hartwig will check with Commission members to
see what date works best for everyone.
D. Strategic Plan - Implementation - Hartwig noted that the presentation of the Iowa
City Municipal Airport Five-Year Strategic Plan was well received. Clay
reported that in general, there was a lot of positive reaction and feedback to the
Plan, and he felt it went very well. He thanked the various City departments for
their help in the process. The discussion then turned to the next focus of the
Commission, which will be deciding the management structure of the Airport. A
brief discussion ensued about this issue, with members questioning if they need to
do a search for a manager, or if they need to rewrite a job description for this
position. Hartwig asked Bill Flannery, of Snyder and Associates, if he wanted to
speak to this issue. Flannery stated that he managed the Des Moines Airport for
about twenty years. Flannery discussed the various issues that need to be
addressed in deciding what type of management the Commission would like to
see in the Airport. Members asked Flannery some general questions in order to
get an idea of where to start with this process. Robnett will continue working on
her list of duties that need to be decided upon by the Commission, and will get a
copy out to the members for their review. Hartwig then suggested that someone
from the Commission attend at least one City Council meeting per month, in order
to keep the communication going with the City and to keep the Council apprised
of the Commission's decisions. Robnett volunteered to attend a March meeting.
E. Airport Budget - Hartwig noted that the only thing he would add is that he did get
the year-end statement from the Farm Manager, and it's around $22,000 for their
cut. Clay asked if there was any more on next year's budget, as far as revisions
and approvals. Hartwig noted that there wasn't anything else but the $10,000
they requested. The discussion then turned to vehicle expense, and the van that
belongs to the Airport. A brief discussion ensued on whether or not they should
keep this van.
F. Airport Management - (1) Update: Clay stated that the two new interns started
February 1st' Elizabeth Freiburger and Michael Tharp, and he introduced
Freiburger who was in attendance. Both are Airport Management majors at the
University of Dubuque. Tharp informed the Commission on the projects that she
has been involved in so far and so possible future projects. (2) Office Space for
Commission in Airport Terminal: Hartwig noted that a motion is needed to
amend the lease with JetAir, Inc., to exchange leased office space in the terminal
building for an office in Building D. The purpose of this amendment is allow the
airport manager office to be moved to the terminal building. Staley moved to
approve a resolution to amend the agreement with Jet Air to exchange office
space in Building D for office space in the terminal; seconded by Robnett.
Resolution passed 5 to 0 on a roll call vote.
G. Obstruction Mitigation Project - Stanley Consultants - Hartwig noted that he
could not speak to this issue, but he will contact them to get an update.
H. Airport Viewing Area - Hartwig noted that Flannery's firm is making the
drawings for the FAA, and noted that they need to get an exact estimate of cost.
Clay noted that there are a few things to be done first, such as an estimate for
fence, estimate for an architectural drawing of what the park will look like,
estimates for equipment and labor. Robnett noted that they also need a list of
contributors thus far, and Freiburger stated that she would work on this for the
next regular meeting.
Chairperson's Report:
Hartwig stated that two weekends ago there was a model airplane swap meet held at the
Airport, and it was reported to have gone very well. Hartwig then noted that March will
be the election of officers, and he offered his reflection of the past year.
Commission Members' Reports:
Staley thanked the other Commission members for their input and hard work, and stated
that he would like to keep Hartwig as Chairperson of the Airport Commission. Williams
noted that he has been working with the DOT on a "The Airport Security Plan" and that
he would like to get this on the agenda for the next meeting. Dulek noted they could add
this to the agenda for the Special Meeting. Clay again welcomed the new Airport interns,
and stated that he feels they are "on the right track" now and he looks forward to the
upcoming year. Robnett stated that she is honored to be on the Commission again, and
looks forward to working with everyone.
Staff Report:
None.
Set next meeting - March 10, 2005 at 5:45 PM (**SpecialMtg. to be held:
Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - 5:45 PM at the Airport)
Adjourn: Meeting adjourned at 7:47 PM.
Airport Commission
ATTENDANCE RECORD
YEAR 2005
TERM 1/13 2/10
NAME EXP.
Daniel Clay 3/1/08 O/E X
Randy 3/1/09 X X
Hartwig
Michelle 3/1/07 X X
Robnett
John Staley 3/1/06 X X
Carl 3/1/10 X X
Williams
KEY: X = Present
0 = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
NM = No meeting
.... Not a Member
MINUTES
SCATTERED SITE HOUSING TASKFORCE
FEBRUARY 14, 2005 IP22
LOBBY CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Don Anciaux, Jerry Anthony, Darlene Clausen, Matthew Hayek, Jan Peterson,
Joan Vandenberg
MEMBERS ABSENT: Jan Left, Sally Stutsman
STAFF PRESENT: Steve Nasby, Steve Rackis
OTHERS PRESENT: Charles Eastham, Amanda Cline, Tracy Glaesemann, Alexis Kluklenski, Patti
Santangelo
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Hayek called the meeting to order at 4:20 pm. He noted that there are no minutes to be
reviewed.
DELIBERATIONS REGARDING RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE CITY COUNCIL
Hayek began by noting the enclosures included in the packet between the Human Rights Commission
and the City. He noted that these were included for the Taskforce members' information. Hayek said that
the Human Rights Commission had requested that he provide them with a status report on the
Taskforce's activities. Hayek noted that Eastham was also at the Human Rights Commission meeting
and the minutes will be posted on the web once they are completed. Also included in the packet was a
revised list from the student group of the assisted rental units per block group and the type of housing,
which was to provide secondary information to the criteria.
Hayek distributed an updated version of the matrix, dated February 14. Anthony confirmed that the
numbers between the latest version and the one distributed in the packets did not change and only
revisions were made to correct typographical errors in the text. Hayek explained that the additional sheet
of information in the packet is a condensed form of the matrix, and includes only the X's, no numbers
except the total number of X's per block group. He noted that there appears to be 19 block groups out of
31 without any X's in any columns.
Vandenberg asked what decision had been made about a floor for certain tracts discussed at the last
meeting. Hayek said that question had not been resolved yet. Vandenberg said she is still concerned
about the data in the column on poverty because of student populations. Hayek agreed, adding there
appears to be no way to factor out student numbers. Peterson said she believed that issue had already
been resolved, the Taskforce having decided that it would not have a large impact on the
recommendations. Vandenberg noted that including the poverty column for tract 21 block group 2 puts
three X's under that block group. Clausen added that the numbers for 21 block group 2 also include
elderly. Peterson asked if the presence or absence of elderly and students would change the Taskforce's
recommendations. Clausen said she does not think so.
Anthony said that there does not appear to be correlation between the X's in the poverty, fair share,
rental, and all units columns. He suggested not considering poverty data. Vandenberg said there is a
credibility issue with the curve created by the student population. Also, things should be kept simple.
Hayek noted that concentrated poverty, by the Taskforce's definition, is indicated only in tracts 11, 16,
and 21. Clausen added that both 11 and 21 include large complexes of housing for elderly, which impacts
the fair share column.
Anthony asked how assisted housing units are created, if it is new construction or acquisition/conversion
of existing buildings. Nasby said that both types of activities have been funded. New housing was built in
the peninsula, while HACAP and Greater Iowa City have done acquisition. Rackis said that there have
been no new public housing units built or acquired since 1996. The last public housing was on
Whispering Prairie, which was new construction.
Scattered Site Housing Taskforce Minutes
February 14, 2005
Page 2
Clausen asked if the Housing Authority had done both new and acquired. Rackis said yes, that HUD
owned the housing and then made funding available for Housing Authorities to acquire existing
properties. The number of available properties has been shrinking since 1999 due to houses being sold
through programs or using Section 8 vouchers. Anthony asked whether Pheasant Ridge, Autumn Park,
and Capitol House were new or acquired. Nasby replied they were new construction.
Anciaux asked how many units are planned for the new Shelter House. Nasby said that the capacity of
the new facility as proposed would be 70-75. When compiling tract data, shelters were converted into an
approximate number of comparable housing units based on the average household size in Iowa City.
Using that formula, the new facility would have approximately 35 "units."
Clausen noted that the housing for Greater Iowa City Housing Fellowship is scattered, and asked if that
was a combination of new and acquired. Eastham replied it is a combination of both.
Hayek said the Taskforce needs to decide what to do with the matrix.
Motion: Anciaux moved to discard the poverty column on the matrix because of confounding factors in
the data caused by student populations.
Vandenberg suggested including the poverty data as additional information to consider, rather than as a
criterion. Hayek said it could be moved to the second tier of information. Peterson noted that the second
tier of information would be lost after the recommendations are submitted to the City Council. Peterson
commented that evaluators of this information are going to look at the baseline numbers rather than the
accompanying information.
Clausen suggested that since removing the povedy information does not change the data very much,
removing it is unnecessary. The information may be useful in the future. Anciaux said that removing the
poverty data would reduce the number of X's in block groups 11.1, 11.2, 16.1, and 18.1 to zero.
Vandenberg asked whether the question is whether housing should not be incented in those areas.
Clausen said that block group 16.2 has an X and its fair share already, so housing should not be
incented. Hayek said that block group 16.1 might be a better example. Vandenberg said she does not
want to make the recommendations so restrictive that housing is only incented in a small number of
areas.
Anciaux withdrew his motion.
Rackis said the question depends on what sort of housing will go into block group 16.2. Vandenberg said
for that reason, she believes there is an impact on the recommendations depending on what is decided
about the poverty data.
Anthony suggested that the Taskforce concentrate on where more assisted housing can go, rather than
where to limit certain housing, and look for consensus on that. Vandenberg agreed. Hayek said the
question of where more assisted housing could go leads back to the 19 block groups without any X's.
Anciaux said one benefit of discarding the poverty data would be having more areas available for
additional assisted housing. Hayek added that without the poverty data, block groups 11.1, 11.2, 16.1,
and 21.1 would be available.
Hayek noted that the group originally thought poverty information would be helpful, but it turned out to be
less so because of the student population. Anciaux asked if any areas without students are affected by
removing the poverty information. Vandenberg said that tract 21 is a combination of students and elderly.
Clausen added that tract 16 is also a combination of student and elderly. Hayek said that all block groups
in the down town area with X's in poverty involve students. Those would be tracts 11, 16, and 21.
Vandenberg said that tract 105 is a potential growth area if a floor is established, because even though it
has a high percentage of assisted units, it has a very Iow number overall. Clausen said that having that
tract ultimately end up with a disproportionately high number would not be desirable either. She would like
the recommendation for that tract to be revised as the tract develops.
Scattered Site Housing Task~rce Minutes
February14,2005
Page 3
Anthony suggested that two categories of incentives could be useful, one for new development and one
for acquisition. Since many tracts cannot accommodate new development, it would not be helpful to have
incentives only on that type of assisted housing. Anciaux said that block group 18.1 is one area that will
have new construction, most of it single-family residential housing. He would like to incent away from
block group 18.2.
Vandenberg asked if it is possible to have gradations in incentives. Hayek replied that it is possible to
have, for example, different funding available for areas with different numbers of X's on the matrix.
Anciaux said density could also be controlled.
Rackis asked what is statistically insignificant in relation to the idea of "fair share." For example, for an
area at 2.18% of fair share, how statistically significant is that number? It is related to the question of
number of units overall and the percentages. Perhaps incentives could be provided for areas less than
5% above the fair share, for instance, while areas that are 10% and higher would have different
incentives.
Nasby asked Anthony if the X's in the fair share column are for block groups that are over 10% of fair
share. Anthony said no. Nasby asked if it could be read as just above 1. Anthony said yes. Hayek said in
Rackis' example, the block group would be 2.18 times the City average.
Anthony said that fair share is a strong argument for scattering housing. It would be simple to look at
tracts that are below 1 in column 12 and then look at the map to see if the incentive should be on new or
acquisition. Peterson said that sounds like a logical starting point. Vandenberg said explaining fair share
in terms of a number of times more or less than the City average would be a good way to explain the
proposal to the public.
Hayek noted that only using fair share would lose block group 17.1. Vandenberg said that area is very
large. Anciaux added that it includes a large industrial area.
Hayek asked if there was consensus to use fair share as the guiding criterion. Peterson confirmed that
using fair share would lose block group 17.1. Hayek said yes, even though one in four units is assisted,
the block group has a very Iow number of rental units overall. Anthony said it is unlikely new units could
be built in tract 17. It would have to be acquisition.
Rackis said that if using the fair share approach, density should also be addressed. Single-family units
versus a complex of apartments will change the character of the area.
Anciaux noted column 7 is the total number of rental units in a block group, without owner occupied
included, and asked whether the owner-occupied should be figured into the data. Clausen said that
column 3 has rental units and column 7 is all units. Anthony said that column 8 only includes rental units.
Anciaux suggested that including owner-occupied assisted units would change some of the X's. Then the
recommendation would be not to incent assisted housing in block groups with X's on the matrix, while
using fair share to determine where more can be located.
Rackis said that columns 7 through 10 identify areas of higher density. All the areas with higher
percentages are where there are larger apartment complexes.
Hayek said that the ease of explaining fair share is a good point. Anthony said that once areas without
their fair share are identified, block groups with growth potential could also be identified. There are five
block groups that can accommodate new growth: 1.1, 1.2, 4.1, 104.4, and 105.1. Anciaux added block
group 18.1. Anthony said other block groups could have smaller amounts of development.
Vandenberg asked whether block group 4.1 is likely to split. Anthony said the University owns much of
the land, but there is also a lot available for development. Hayek said that the block groups may split, but
only after reaching a certain population threshold. Peterson noted that block group has the largest
number of rental units. Hayek said it could be considered an outlier, since that tract has such a large and
dense apartment complexes.
Anthony said that of the list of six block groups that will accommodate more growth, two of them are
currently above the fair share. He suggested that an exception be made for those two that would allow for
Scattered Site Housing Taskforce Minutes
February 14, 2005
Page 4
more development of assisted housing. Hayek confirmed those two block groups that Anthony is
suggesting are 4.1 and 105.1. Anciaux said block group 105.1 has a very Iow number of units overall.
Clausen said that block group 18.1 also falls into that category, a growth area already above fair share.
Anthony agreed.
Peterson noted that Hawkeye Apartments are not included in the census data, though they still have an
impact on the area. Nasby agreed that they are not counted as assisted units in the data the Taskforce
has been provided. Vandenberg said that tract 4 is very large. She added that the Taskforce would need
a solid rationale to make an exception.
Anthony said that of the six where new growth is possible, perhaps incentives should only be given for
development in the ones that are below the fair share criterion. So for example, new assisted housing in
block group 1.1 would receive an incentive, but new housing in block group 4.1 would not. Hayek said
that then block group 4.1 is being included with the others that are above fair share, even though it has
potential for growth. Anthony replied that as long as development is not restricted, that should not be a
problem. No additional incentives would be available, but development is still allowed in the tract. Anthony
said that his view of incentives is that they would be additional encouragement to build in certain areas,
while not restricting development. At the same time, no additional incentives would be given for building
assisted housing in certain areas.
Nasby asked what Anthony means by additional incentives, as in additional to what? Anthony asked what
incentive developers currently receive to build assisted housing. What does the City provide to
developers to build in block group 18.2, as an example? Nasby said there are none. Anthony said then
developers are building in that area because of market forces. Therefore, incentives would be given to
build elsewhere, which would take away the market pressure to build in block group 18.2. That can be
done for both new growth and acquisition.
Rackis asked if the recommendation would allow a Iow-density tax credit project in block group 18.2, and
support a resolution from the City to pursue the tax credits from the state. Anthony said yes in his
example, though the developers would not receive any additional incentives from the City to build there.
Anciaux asked if, in terms of rental units, is there any need for additional project-based section 8 housing
to be built in block group 18.2, or can it be incented elsewhere or denied. Rackis said that if the land is
zoned and HUD is making funds available, it is unlikely the project could be stopped.
Vandenberg said that in regards to incentives in block group 18.2, it depends on the type of housing.
Housing for people who are near to being self-sufficient could be fine, but transitional housing for people
who need a lot of support mechanisms would not be desirable. This aims at the stability of the families,
and that tract 18 cannot handle any more unstable families. However, this likely cannot be dictated by
housing, because there is a large range of housing type.
Hayek asked if there is a difference in cost between building new housing versus acquisition of existing
housing. Eastham said the cost of new housing is generally higher, though not by much, partly due to the
fact that the quality of acquired housing can be lower. However, there is much more public money
available for new construction because of the tax credit program.
Anthony said that underlying the discussion is the question of where new construction can happen in the
city. Very few tracts allow rental housing, so a recommendation should be to make zoning changes to
increase the possibility of rental housing around the City. Vandenberg asked what size rental buildings he
meant. Anthony said a range is possible. Anciaux said that he believes that most of the district plans have
limits on the number of units in complexes.
Vandenberg said that most neighborhoods would not welcome a building with 30 units, so the size of the
complex and the terms of how the idea would sell to the neighborhoods is a consideration. It is much
different to have a duplex built next door than a complex. Anciaux said that some of those zoning issues
might be addressed in the code rewrite.
Hayek said the issue of density has been touched on at various times during the discussion, but the
matrix does not address that question. Nasby asked whether complexes of mixed assisted and market
Scattered Site Housing Taskforce Minutes
February 14, 2005
Page 5
rate housing would have the same impact. Hayek said that the focus is shifting back to the question of
where certain kinds of housing are prohibited, rather than where it should be encouraged.
Hayek said a final decision needs to be made regarding the matrix. Options include adopting as is,
discarding the poverty information, discarding rental or all units, and focusing on only fair share. Peterson
asked whether using fair share loses something important. Anciaux said rental units need to be included,
since they comprise the bulk of assisted housing. Hayek suggested that fair share addresses that. Issue.
Vandenberg said that using fair share loses only block group 17.1.
Vandenberg suggested creating caveats in the recommendations for using fair share for tract 4 because it
is so big, and tract 105 because it is so small.
Motion: Vandenberg moved to use the fair share column for criteria in deciding how to incent future
assisted housing, with consideration given for the sizes of block group 4.1 and 105.1. Anciaux seconded
the motion.
Anthony asked what the incentives would be. Anciaux said that could be decided later. Hayek agreed,
saying that the Taskforce is still determining where concentrations are located.
Clausen said that block group 17.1 is also very small. Vandenberg said it includes industrial property.
Hayek said it is not on the matrix under fair share. Clausen suggested using different terminology than
that the block group is small, since there are others that are very small. Hayek said that the block groups
have considerable growth potential.
Hayek summarized by saying that essentially the Taskforce would be asserting that block groups with an
X in column 13 have a concentration, and further assisted housing should be put elsewhere. Anthony said
it should be stated the other way, meaning no incentives will be provided for building in those block
groups, while they will be given for building in other areas.
Hayek said that one way to apply that recommendation would be to add a score based on geography to
the HCDC evaluation for developers applying to build. Anthony said that he does not agree, because right
now assisted housing is being built in certain areas due to market forces. Using a numbered scoring
method would reduce the amount of assisted housing built in the City because of the available block
groups, only two allow assisted housing with the points from CDBG. That means developers would have
to go to more expensive areas of the City to build, and would then therefore fewer units.
Peterson agreed that building fewer units would be a problem, and that the Taskforce needs to be very
careful about how this is worked out. Rackis said that care should be taken before recommending not to
incent building in large portions of tract 18, because a tax credit project with state funds may be building
single-family homes, which would not be unwelcome in the tract and would help relieve some of the
pressure of having enough affordable housing.
Anthony said that any incentive provided per the Taskforce's recommendations should be new, rather
than something that currently exists and is reclassified. So incentives in the recommendations would have
nothing to do with tax credits or CDBG\HOME. Vandenberg said she would be fine with funding some
things in block group 18.1. However, she is concerned that block group 18.2 has reached its limit.
Anthony agreed that block group 18.2 has enough assisted housing because the numbers are very high.
However, if restricting new construction of assisted housing, he would like to exclude emergency housing,
both Shelter House and housing for battered women. Once the new Shelter House is built, it is unlikely a
new one will be built in the next 20 years. However, the current capacity for DVIP is 12 or 14. Saying that
no more emergency housing will be built would essentially say there will be no more space for battered
women.
Anciaux disagreed, saying that if necessary, the City should provide funding to allow the shelters to be
built somewhere besides tract 18. Anthony said that until it is known whether the City can provide the
funding, he does not want to restrict where it can be built. Transitional and non-emergency housing could
be restricted, but emergency should not be restricted on location due to fair share criteria.
Scattered Site Housing Tas~orce Minutes
February 14,2005
Page 6
Vandenberg asked whether emergency housing should be focused on locating in tract 18. Anthony said
no, just that it not have restrictions on where it can be built. Emergency housing would be an exception to
the recommendations. The number of battered women is very high, and for him the benefits of scattering
housing do not outweigh the potential detriments of preventing additional emergency housing from being
built.
Santangelo said that DVIP has a larger capacity at the present location, but not enough staff to fully
oversee it. Anthony asked how much it could expand in their current location. Nasby said they have
capacity for 60. Vandenberg suggested getting more information from DVIP. Traditionally it has been a
question of staff and funding rather than space.
Anciaux noted that DVIP already has 16 units in block group 18.2, MECCA has 12 transitional units, while
Four Oaks is an emergency shelter with 11 units, and HACAP has housing there as well. It seems as
though that area is saturated with transitional housing already. Anthony said his suggestion is for
emergency housing rather than transitional. Vandenberg said that for safety reasons it might be better for
DVIP to be located somewhere other than tract 18.
Anthony said he is not saying that they should be sent into block group 18.2, just that they should not be
restricted from locating anywhere, wherever they can find a place. Vandenberg suggested saying that
consideration should be given to DVIP, though location would not be disclosed due to security reasons.
Anthony said he thinks HUD classifications should be used, which would be emergency housing.
Vandenberg said that classification then includes Shelter House, more of which should not go into tract
18.
Santangelo said she understood that Shelter House children were planned to go to Mann rather than
Twain. Vandenberg said where they will go is currently undecided. Also, it is a neighborhood issue that
goes beyond the schools. Anthony suggested that the City could identify certain areas in its
comprehensive plan that is zoned for emergency housing, and leave the classification broad.
Hayek said it is good to think about what should be incented in specific terms in the future. However, that
discussion could be endless. The Taskforce has gone through the process to identify where
concentrations are believed to exist, represented by fair share, and can also develop some general policy
goals. Some specifics could be included, but he would like to leave the details of the implementation up to
the City to determine.
Anciaux said he would like to exclude rental units from incentives in any areas that have X's in column 13,
except those that are excluded such as block group 4.1 and block group 105.1. He suggested that raw
land in block group 4.1 would be as inexpensive as the land that has been prepared for development in
tract 18. Anthony said that once the land is zoned, the prices go up.
Peterson said her concern is that if the Taskforce makes some well-intentioned general
recommendations, then leave implementation up to the City, the negative impact of the recommendations
could be greater than the good. Vandenberg said implementation should include a positive educational
campaign about assisted housing to help change the mindset. She would like to challenge the Council to
talk about what the vision for the future of the community is. It should be a countywide initiative to have an
integrated community.
Peterson agreed, but noted her concern is that the Taskforce recommendation not to build in a certain
place will lead to no assisted housing being built at all, which will compound the current problems of
inadequate affordable housing. Anthony agreed that if the issues are addressed, the negative ones will go
forward without any of the positive ones because of political inconvenience and also the time and effort
involved. If the Taskforce thinks through some of the issues, it will give the Council more options to
consider.
Vandenberg asked what some of the brainstormed positive ideas about scattering assisted housing are.
Hayek said before discussing that, the Taskforce needs to come to a consensus, and asked if there was
consensus about using fair share as the criteria. Anciaux noted there was a motion on the table. Hayek
asked if the motion includes a caveat to exclude block groups 4.1 and 105. Vandenberg said yes.
Scattered Site Housing Taskforce Minutes
February 14, 2005
Page 7
Hayek asked if there was consensus about the motion. Anthony said he would agree, but would like to
include caveat about emergency housing. Peterson agreed that the type of housing matters, but that
could be addressed later. Some general, positive recommendations can be made, but the Taskforce
should review what the potential negative ramifications of those recommendations might be, and how
they might be avoided.
Hayek agreed that there is a campaign ahead and an educational aspect. However, he does not want to
work out specifics about what the incentives should be, the dollar amount, what the source of funding
should be, and so forth. Anthony agreed those dollar amounts and sources need not be discussed
specifically, but other recommendations such as inclusionary zoning could be included.
Hayek suggested forming a subcommittee to write a report to the City, which would set forth the specific
goals and focus on the positive aspects of the recommendations. He noted that many negatives could be
turned into positives. Vandenberg agreed, and said she has suggestions ready for that discussion.
Rackis asked for confirmation that there is room for development in block groups 1.1, 1.2, 4.1, 18.1,
104.4, and 105.1, so if those areas have an X they are exempted with an explanation. Anthony said yes.
Rackis said if the explanation to exempt block group 4.1 is because it has a lot of land available, the
same argument could be made for block group 18.1. Anthony agreed that block group 18.1 is similar in
size to block group 4.1 and has a lot of growth potential. He asked how that should be resolved.
Rackis said that the percentage of the City's overall assisted rental housing in that block group is 1.83,
which is less than two times above the City average. That is smaller than block group 105.1. Vandenberg
said it depends on what type of housing is being proposed. Clausen agreed that type would be a
consideration, that single-family housing would be preferable in that block group. Anciaux said larger units
might be okay in block group 18.1, though it is not preferred.
Rackis asked if it is more positive to put a single family into a duplex or single-family home rather than a
large multi-unit complex. Nasby noted that having multiple duplexes or single-family units clustered
together could have the same impact as having a single large complex.
Hayek noted there is a large number of block groups with no assisted housing. Anciaux said that is why
he objects to the caveat about emergency housing, and is looking for strong incentives to put it
somewhere besides tract 18.
Vandenberg asked if a second was needed on the motion. Hayek said it was seconded, and a vote is
now needed.
Anthony said that block group 18.1 has a lot of growth potential. Vandenberg said that other places
should be explored first, as block group 18.1 is still on the southeast side of the city. It would also depend
on the type of housing proposed. Anciaux said the current new development in that block group might
start to change the area.
Rackis said that block group is predominantly owner-occupied. Anciaux said if block group 18.1 is largely
owner-occupied, it would help balance out block group 18.2. Anthony said that in the proposed motion,
block groups 4.1 and 105.1 are being exempted because they have a lot of growth potential and the Iow
number of assisted units and block group 18.1 also fits those criteria. Anciaux noted that there are 664
rental units in block group 18.1. Anthony said that only 68 are assisted, which are less than the number of
assisted units in block group 105.1 and 4.1. He would like to be consistent with what ever is decided.
Anciaux asked if Lakeside Apartments are in block group 18.1. Clausen said they are. Vandenberg said
that there are 32 Housing Authority units in block group 18.1. Rackis said those are being sold.
Vandenberg said that those are a concentration, along with HACAP units. That area should be left off of
the exempt list. Rackis said Lakeside Apartments are not assisted. Vandenberg said they are still an
issue, similar to Hawkeye Apartments. Anthony said that there are only 68 units, while block group 4.1
has 385 units and development will still be allowed there. The Taskforce needs to develop some logic for
that decision. Rackis added that the public housing in block group 18.1 is not concentrated. The lots are
not contiguous, but are located in different parts of the block group.
Scattered Site Housing Taskforce Minutes
February 14, 2005
Page 8
Clausen asked regarding the growth potential on the high and Iow ends of the block group sizes, whether
the decision was based on the number of rental units or the number of assisted units. Block group 18.1
should not be exempted because it has a large growth potential, but it also has a large number of rental
units. Anthony disagreed, noting that block group 4.1 has 1535 rental units and is being exempted, but
block group 18.1 has only 664 rental units but will not be exempted.
Vandenberg said that block group 4.1 will probably split because it is so large. Anthony said whether it will
split or not is unknown. Nasby added that if it splits, that will not be decided until 2010. Vandenberg said
that it is a huge area with growth potential. Anthony pointed out that tract 18 could potentially split into
three block groups, so that is not a good basis on which to make the decision.
Vandenberg said that if development is allowed in block group 18.1, which is where it would go. Anthony
said that the Taskforce is talking again about what not to allow instead of incentives to encourage
development elsewhere irrespective of market forces. Vandenberg noted that market forces are working
against building housing in other parts of the city already. She said that she does think incentives should
be given to build in block group 18.1. Anthony replied that new incentives are not being provided for that
block group.
Hayek asked if what is being said is if a block group has an X in column 13, housing will not be permitted
to be built, or that incentives will not be provided. Anthony said the motion on the table is that incentives
will be provided to build in places with no X's on the matrix. Vandenberg added that it should exempt
block groups 4.1 and 105.1. Clausen said Anthony's question is why are those two being exempted.
Anthony agreed.
Vandenberg said they are being exempted because of their growth potential. Anthony asked what the
basis is for that determination. Clausen added that Anthony's point is that block group 18.1 is in the same
position or better as the other two being exempted. Anthony agreed. Vandenberg said the difference is
that in block groups 105.1, there are only 109 total rental units, but is a growing part of the community,
and is very small. However, block group 4.1 is very large, which skews the numbers there as well, and
that there is growth potential even though it has large numbers of assisted units.
Anthony pointed out that block group 4.1 has 1535 units already. Vandenberg suggested not exempting
block group 4.1. Anthony disagreed, saying all areas of new development should be included in the list.
Vandenberg said that market forces are already in favor of building in block group 18.1, and asked why
incentives are needed there. Anthony said if the recommendations are specified, he could evaluate how
to categorize those block groups. However, without knowing the recommendations, he does not want to
treat block group 18.1 differently from block groups 4.1 and 105.1.
Vandenberg pointed out that earlier Anthony had said incentives were needed to counteract the market
forces driving development in tract 18. She asked why incentives would now be needed for development
in block group 18.1. Anthony said incentives are not needed, but it really depends on how the
recommendations are phrased.
Peterson said the motion is that incentives will not be given to places with X's, so block group 18.1 will not
be restricted, but no additional incentives will be given to build there because it has the existing incentive
of market forces. Vandenberg agreed, saying that in block groups 4.1 and 105.1, incentives are needed
to help build housing there.
Eastham said incentives are needed anywhere that affordable housing is being built. He asked whether
the Taskforce would be proposing new incentives, or discontinuing existing ones in certain areas.
Peterson said the Taskforce is talking about new incentives. Eastham said that fact should be made very
clear to the Council. Anthony said it depends on the definition of incentive. If the motion involves existing
incentives such as CDBG and HOME, he does not agree, but he does agree as long as there are new
incentives offered.
Nasby said the Council would probably look at CDBG, HOME and tax credits as an incentive because the
City does not currently put other funding into affordable housing. The recommendation can be made for
new incentives, but as far as how they are viewed, it is likely the Council will see them as the same.
Scattered Site Housing Taskforce Minutes
February 14, 2005
Page 9
Hayek asked if Anthony meant that the funding should not be restricted according to the X's on the
matrix. Anthony said the funding would have nothing to do with geography. If existing funding is being
used, it is not really an incentive. Nasby said the funding is not guaranteed, so it can be seen as an
incentive. Anthony said that in the absence of additional funding, a geographically based system of
restricting funding will definitely reduce the supply of affordable housing in Iowa City.
Anthony said as an example, if the restriction is that CDBG funds cannot be used to build housing in
block groups 18.1 or 18.2, but they can be used in Manville Heights, in tract 18 the developer can build 15
units, in Manville Heights they can build one. Hayek asked why the recommendation could not be to use
CDBG or HOME funds in addition to another source of funding. Anthony said the developer will be using
CDBG funds regardless of whether the Taskforce's recommendations say to use them. Including them
would decrease the supply of affordable housing.
Anthony said that if CDBG or tax credits are the incentives used, while affordable housing will be
scattered, the number will also be drastically reduced. If the only incentives that will be offered are CDBG
or tax credits, he is not in favor of scattering affordable housing. Vandenberg said the issues are both
what the Taskforce's recommendations are, and how they will be interpreted. Anthony agreed, adding
that is why the recommendations have to be very explicit in saying that new incentives are needed.
Hayek said that while he agrees that using only CDBG funds will reduce the amount of affordable
housing, he disagrees that those sources of funding could not be included in an incentives package for
developers. The Taskforce does not have consensus on that point.
Anthony said unless a definition of incentive is available, he would like to take a vote or have a motion to
clarify what is being incented or restricted, or what kinds of housing are being incented. He would like to
incent transitional and emergency housing into other areas of the city, but only if the incentives given are
in addition to other support they are already receiving.
Vandenberg said taking that approach will be even more difficult because additional funding then needs
to be identified for these incentives. Inclusionary zoning will work with the developers, but the Council will
have concerns about the funding and its source. Hayek agreed that funding will have to come from the
currently available money. Anthony disagreed.
Anciaux asked whether having the City agree to purchase land and put streets and utilities in it, using
CDBG funds, would reduce the price of the land. Anthony said no, first of all because when the land is
zoned, the price goes up, so it no longer is at raw land price and no longer comparable. Land that is
already zoned and ready for development in block group 18.1 is still less expensive than land elsewhere
in the city.
Anthony said the difference between market price in the different areas of the city should be provided as
an incentive for development. So if zoned land costs $100/acre in one area and $50/acre in another, the
City should provide $50 or $51 for assisted housing to move into the more expensive area. Anciaux
asked for confirmation that Anthony is saying the funding should not come from CDBG. Anthony agreed.
Anciaux said the funding should come from CDBG, because the tradeoff is to reduce the assisted
housing problem in tract 18. Anthony disagreed, explaining that given a total amount of available money
in CDBG, the funding would not go as far. In other words, in one area, $1000 would fund 15 units
because of lower costs, but only 1 unit in another area because of higher costs. So it would reduce the
number of available units overall.
Anciaux said that additional funding would be very difficult to get, so the housing will go into tract 18.
Anthony said that additional funding would need to be established. Also, the federal government is
proposing cutting CDBG funding by 50% this year, so those funds are not reliable.
Hayek suggested forming a subcommittee to start putting together a summary of the Taskforce's
decisions in written form.
Nasby noted that the Taskforce has moved away from simple, defendable and understandable criteria.
He suggested that if this many exceptions are needed, perhaps the Fair Share data is not the best criteria
to use.
Scattered Site Housing Taskforce Minutes
February14,2005
Page 10
Hayek asked who would be on the subcommittee. Anthony said he is willing. Vandenberg also agreed to
participate.
Hayek asked about meeting dates in March, and suggested the 7th and 21st. February 28 at 4:30 is
confirmed. Meeting dates available for those present in March were the 7th and 21st at 4:30 p.m.
Nasby asked whether the current motion will be withdrawn or voted upon? Anthony suggested tabling the
motion. General agreement expressed.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to be discussed, Anthony moved to adjourn. Anciaux seconded, and the
motion was accepted unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
s:lpcdlminutes/ ScatteredSiteHousingTaskforce/2005/02-14-05ssht,doc
MINUTES
SCATTERED SITE HOUSING TASKFORCE
JANUARY 24, 2005 IP23
CITY HALL, LOBBY CONFERENCE ROOM
MEMBERS PRESENT: Jerry Anthony, Darlene Clausen, Matthew Hayek, Jan Left, Jan Peterson, Sally
Stutsman, Joan Vandenberg
MEMBERS ABSENT: Don Anciaux
STAFF PRESENT: Karin Franklin, Steve Nasby, Steve Rackis
OTHERS PRESENT: Amanda Cline, Maryann Dennis, Charles Eastham, Tracy Glaesemann, Alexis
Kluklenski, Luke Pelz
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Hayek called the meeting to order at 6:40 pm.
Approval of the January 3, 2005 Minutes:
Several revisions noted for the Minutes.
MOTION: A motion was made by Left, seconded by Stutsman, to approve the January 3, 2005
Minutes as amended. Motion carried 7-0.
TASKFORCE DELIBERATION REGARDING RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE CITY COUNCIL
Hayek began by reviewing the key points of the previous meeting. He noted that the Taskforce reached a
consensus on three items, those being as follows: 1 ) concentrations of poverty in the community should
be avoided; 2) Iowa City needs to continue to provide affordable housing; and 3) the City should explore
scattering affordable housing. He said the Taskforce now needs to think about moving to the conclusion
of the process, with the goal to present to the City Council in early March. Hayek said that the UI student
group had completed breaking down the data into census tract and block groups. He suggested
beginning the meeting by reviewing the census data and having the students to discuss the new tables.
Left said she did not receive Table 2 in her packet. Glaesemann said Table 2 was not included as there
were not revisions. Nasby said Table 2 is the same as the one previously distributed. Glaesemann said
Table 1 was revised because an error was found in the data. Table 3 is data on block groups in the same
format as Table 1, and includes data for both rental and owner-occupied units in separate columns. Table
4 is the percent of assisted housing units in each block group, with 100% being the number of units in all
of Iowa City. Table 4 also includes information on the percent of all housing and rental units located in
each block group.
Hayek asked for confirmation that the data for Table 3 is a comparison of the percent of assisted housing
within each block, while Table 4 is the percent compared to the whole city. Glaesemann confirmed this
was correct. Hayek noted that the Taskforce had decided to set aside criteria specifically relating to
schools because of disagreement about the link between assisted housing and school performance, and
its significance.
Left pointed out that according to Table 4, there are two tracts with the highest percentage of assisted
units in each block group. Those are tracts 4 with 33.5%, which includes Pheasant Ridge and a lot of
assisted housing for elderly and disabled, and 18 with 18.9%. Vandenberg said there are several tracts
with no assisted housing units, or less than 1%. She noted that zoning or land use may be a factor, but it
still is a dramatic difference. Hayek agreed that Table 4 is significant.
Hayek asked for confirmation that Section 8 is not included in the data. Rackis confirmed that is correct.
Vandenberg asked if Section 8 housing is already scattered around the city. Rackis said yes as the
tenants pick where they want to live. He added that the Section 8 vouchers follow population trends in
the area with approximately 800 vouchers in Iowa City, 250 in Coralville, and 70 in North Liberty. He said
that some Section 8 vouchers would be included in the tract\block data, since the only restriction on
Scattered Site Housing Taskforce Minutes
January 24, 2005
Page 2
voucher use is that they cannot be used in housing already subsidized by Section 8 project-based
assistance, and that the rent has to be reasonable and affordable. As such, projects that are on the list
could also be participating in the Section 8 program.
Anthony said that Tables 3 and 5 show some striking data. For example according to Table 3, 15.8% of
all units in tract 14 are assisted, while approximately 50% of rental units in that tract are assisted. Some
block groups have a high percent of the population living below the poverty level. Block groups 1 and 2 of
tract 11 have high percentages of poverty, block group 1 at 52.5% and 2 at 38.6%. In tract 16 block 2,
71.9% are below poverty level. Those numbers are very high.
Hayek noted that census tracts 11 and 21 likely have a high number of students. Clausen said that tract
21 is downtown, while 11 and 16 are student areas. Hayek said that as he understands the data, the only
students not included in the poverty data were those living in dormitories. Nasby and Anthony confirmed
that was correct.
Anthony suggested the Taskforce use the guideline discussed earlier, which was 10% above the City-
wide standard, and apply that number to the block group data for both poverty levels and the percentage
of assisted housing as listed in Table 3. Block groups that meet both standards would be ones where no
more assisted housing should be built. Areas with 10% less than that may be places where more assisted
housing should be encouraged. Hayek agreed, and suggested creating a matrix with this information.
Anthony said that applying the standard to poverty and then combining it with assisted housing would
help tie the data to the mission of the Taskforce. The Taskforce should also look at zoning to see what
types of housing are permissible in those areas.
Hayek said that the data from Tables 3 and 4 dovetail well, giving information about both the percentage
within the block group, as well as how it compares to the rest of the City. Vandenberg noted that the data
from those two tables does not give a clear idea of the density in the area. Anthony noted that the
Taskforce does not have density information, though Table 3 indicates the number of units versus the
total units. Vandenberg added that those numbers have a wide variance, from 13 to 2,600.
Glaesemann said that Table 4 can help give an idea about density, though that information is not directly
linked. It compares the distribution of assisted housing units versus the distribution of housing units and
rental units. For example, tract 4 block group 1 houses 34% of all assisted housing units, and 10% of all
rental units.
Hayek asked if there is a way to quantify the density issue. Anthony replied that Table 3 is the closest,
since it gives the number of assisted units in the block versus the total number of units. The data is given
both for the number of rental units, as well as the total units. Hayek suggested that discussion of density
could be addressed in the recommendations.
Hayek asked if there was agreement to use Tables 3 and 4 to start comparing data. General agreement
expressed with this by those present. Anthony suggested including data from Table 5 as well, because of
the poverty data. Hayek said he would like to account for students in the data. Left noted the Council
members would be aware of some of the issues with the student population. Anthony added that the
student areas are in poverty from year to year, even if there are different students living there.
Peterson asked if the data could be sorted by family versus elderly or single. Hayek said that is possible,
but may present fair housing problems. Anthony said the Taskforce's proposal could not distinguish
between those groups. Hayek agreed, clarifying that City Policy couldn't distinguish between different
groups. Vandenberg said there is a wide variation in both assisted housing and poverty levels.
Hayek said that Tables 3, 4, and 5 would be used to create the matrix, which would be a more objective
measure. Then the narrative that will accompany the recommendations could include other information
that is not easily quantified.
Vandenberg said that clarification is needed in the written recommendations about which assisted
housing is being referenced in the tables, perhaps even providing a list indicating the number and type of
housing in each tract. Peterson agreed that assisted housing needs to be defined, because the impacts of
different types are entirely different. Hayek said a starting point could be the list of providers. Nasby said
Scattered Site Housing Taskforce Minutes
January 24, 2005
Page 3
the provider list could be inventoried by tract. Vandenberg suggested making the inventory by tract and
block group as well.
Hayek said that in addition to making recommendations to the City Council, the Taskforce should also
serve as a provider of information to the City. Vandenberg added that defining assisted housing relates to
the public relations issue, and what sort of assisted housing will be built in different areas. It would help to
dispel some myths about affordable housing.
Vandenberg asked how many neighborhoods have a concentration by the current definition. She asked if
13.7% would be the number to use in the comparison. Anthony said yes, if assisted housing units are
included. Hayek said it would be 17.4% if rental units were used. Hayek said that Table 3 could be
divided into two separate measures. Anthony agreed, noting that they would measure both owner-
occupied and rental units.
Vandenberg asked if the number should be greater than or equal to the comparison number, or just
greater than the number. Anthony and Hayek suggested using greater than the target number.
Vandenberg said tract 105 is a problem for her. Left noted that tract has 68% of its rental units as
assisted.
Hayek said if the Taskforce could agree on the measures to be used then a subcommittee or City Staff
can create the matrix. Clausen asked if median or average numbers should be used. Anthony said
average is more easily understood. Clausen suggested using average.
Hayek said that poverty data is difficult to use, because almost no blocks are in poverty if applying the
28.6% target number. The ones that are in poverty include mostly students. Anthony noted that the tracts
that meet the criteria are tract 6 block group 1, 1tract 11 blocks 1 and 2, tract 16 blocks 1 and 2, and tract
21 blocks 1 and 2. He asked which tracts are student areas. Clausen said tracts 11 and 16. Stutsman
added tract 21. Hayek said that tract 6 and portions of tract 23 also have student populations.
Vandenberg said that it seems like the criteria will be excluding neighborhoods that should be included.
Anthony asked if there is agreement to have no more assisted housing in tract 11 if there is an option to
put it elsewhere. Hayek added that the Taskforce needs to decide on how many criteria need to be met in
order for a block to fall within the target group.
Hayek suggested creating the matrix and seeing how the numbers work out, then evaluating the data
again at the next meeting. Taskforce members expressed general agreement. He said that measures
should be decided, and noted that Tables 3, 4, and 5 have been discussed so far. Tables 3 and 4 should
be separated so that rental and owner-occupied are separate. Vandenberg asked that a description of the
nature of the assisted units to be included as well.
Anthony confirmed that if using Table 3, blocks with 10% more than the City average would be places
where more assisted housing possibly would not be wanted. He asked if a similar measure could be
applied to Table 4. Peterson asked if it should be equal to or greater than the number. Vandenberg said it
should be greater than.
Nasby confirmed that the SSHT discussion said that areas 10% above the City average is the Taskforce's
definition of concentrated. So, while an area may be higher than the City average, it may not necessarily
be concentrated by that definition? Hayek said that if the matrix translates into a score sheet for
development applications, then for example certain incentives could be offered for building housing into
areas with very little assisted housing, different or fewer incentives could be offered to put housing into
gray areas, and no incentives would be offered for building in areas with high numbers of housing.
Anthony suggested that recommendations should include concentrated or not, rather than having
different gradations, as that is how the City has used that guideline in the past with poverty and minorities.
Hayek noted that would be clearer. Anthony agreed that incentives should be in place so that developers
will look outside of the tracts that the Taskforce identifies as concentrated.
Anthony asked what cutoff should be used with Table 4. Hayek asked how many total block groups are in
the City. Vandenberg said there are 40. Nasby said that neither housing nor population is equally divided
Scattered Site Housing Taskforce Minutes
January 24, 2005
Page 4
into all the blocks. Anthony asked for confirmation that many of the zeros on the chart indicate areas
where housing is not permitted. Nasby said he thought that was likely.
Peterson said she would like to know the zoning for the different areas. Vandenberg agreed that it would
be helpful to know whether proposing housing in certain areas would be feasible or not. Questions were
raised by Taskforce members about where certain tracts are located. Glaesemann said that data from
census tracts located in Coralville were not included on the tables. Clausen noted that tract 104 has no
housing because it includes part of the airport. Franklin said that a mobile home park is located in that
tract. Stutsman asked what the plans are for the Lake Ridge area. Franklin replied the plan is to annex it,
though the owner has not yet agreed.
Hayek asked if the benchmark numbers the Taskforce is using are accurate from a statistical point of
view. Anthony replied that the City has used that measure in the past, and using a different one would
require justification. He said he would prefer to keep to the City's existing logic. Vandenberg asked if the
target number is 2.5. Hayek said it is 12.5.
Peterson asked if the Taskforce would be applying the measure to census tracts or block groups.
Clausen and Anthony replied it would be block groups. Franklin asked how the number 12.5 was decided.
Hayek said that the City has used 10% above the City average. Anthony said the number of block groups
was divided by 100% to obtain the average (100% divided by the 40 block groups).
Franklin noted that some of the block groups are in the County, and asked if they should be included in
the total number. If using that rationale, then some blocks should be removed. For example, block 1 of
tract 105 look likes it includes the industrial park off of Highway 6. It also extends all the way to Interstate
80; so much of the block is not in the City. Blocks 2, 3, and 4 are not in the City at all, so should not be
included in the total of 40. Franklin said in tract 104, it looks like block 4 is in the City but not the other
block groups of tract 104.
Hayek said those corrections can be made. Anthony said the corrections would need to be applied
consistently across all the tables. Clausen said that Table 1 includes all units, which may pose a problem
if it includes units that are not in the City. Anthony noted that Table 1 is not being used for the matrix.
Rackis said that since the census data was collected, approximately 500 rental units have been built,
which is a 3% increase and none of those units are assisted. Clausen asked where The Lodge is located
and how many units it has. Rackis said it is in tract 5. Nasby said it currently has 200+ units. Rackis
added that it is still under construction, so many of its rental permits will not be issued until later in 2005.
The target is to be done by August 2005.
Vandenberg said she would like to know which block groups would be inappropriate for housing or not
zoned for it. Hayek said examination of zoning should be included in the recommendation to the City, so
the Taskforce does not need to evaluate it. Vandenberg said it would be helpful to know what areas could
not be zoned for housing while developing the recommendations.
Franklin said that the block groups would not have very much differentiation in zoning because of the way
they are drawn. While tract 17 block 1 could be excluded because of the industrial area, there are few
other places where it is defined enough to exclusively preclude housing. Most commercial areas are
zoned for retail or office, but there could be residential above the business. Stutsman asked about tract
104. Franklin replied that 104 includes two mobile home parks, though the potential for more housing to
be built there is Iow.
Hayek asked for confirmation that it would be difficult to make zoning conclusions based on block groups.
Franklin said yes, because residential zoning is widespread even in commercial areas. Vandenberg
suggested that zoning may not be a large issue then. Franklin agreed, noting that tract 17 block 1 is a
good one to remove from consideration because it is an industrial area. However, even that block has
some apartments.
Anthony asked whether information on undeveloped land in each block group is available. Franklin said
an overlay could be done. Anthony said that would help the Taskforce see what areas are available for
future development. Franklin asked whether the focus should be on rental or owner-occupied. The
Taskforce members agreed that information on both would be preferred.
Scattered Site Housing Taskforce Minutes
January 24, 2005
Page 5
Hayek suggested deciding on the measures the Taskforce would like to use, and then have a group put
the data together to be presented at the next meeting. Then the Taskforce will evaluate the results.
Hayek said currently Tables 3, 4, and 5, plus the inventory of the types of assisted housing by block
group, have been discussed so far. Vandenberg said that numbers have been decided for all but Table 4.
Hayek suggested using the two columns on the right side of Table 4 for informational purposes. That
means there are currently five measures. Left asked what the fifth measure is. Hayek said it may not be a
measure, but is the breakdown of the type of housing and where it is located. Nasby said it would not be
included in the matrix, but would be attached for additional information.
Hayek said that if the matrix is acceptable to the Taskforce, then step two of the process has been
completed. Impacts have already been discussed in large part, so that step will not take long to finish.
The Taskforce should then be in a position to discuss recommendations. He suggested the Taskforce
members discuss how to proceed from this point, and asked if having the matrix done by January 31 is
feasible. Nasby said it depends on the speed of the subcommittee. The numbers are available, so it
should not take long. It would need to be done by Thursday to be mailed out with the packet.
Vandenberg asked if the matrix could be emailed. Hayek said it would be also be posted on the internet,
so that would be permissible. Stutsman asked whether the Taskforce would meet if the matrix were not
done. Hayek said it would be done in time, so to plan to meet. He said that the Taskforce would be
looking at the matrix, but also that the members should come to the meeting with thoughts about the
recommendations. Vandenberg added that it would be good to consider benefits of scattering housing.
Peterson asked if the dates for the February meetings have been set. Hayek said no. The Taskforce
members discussed availability for meeting in February. Peterson suggested tabling the discussion until
the January 31 meeting.
Vandenberg asked what the Taskforce's to-do list is. Hayek said that a subcommittee would need to write
the proposal based on feedback from the group, when that phase is reached. Likely what the Council will
want is something in writing that includes some narrative as well as the matrix, and a list of suggestions.
The suggestions are not going to be for the City to do things, but rather for the City to explore or
investigate various options.
Anthony asked if there are any assisted owner-occupied units in the City. Nasby replied yes, between 80
and 100 units. Some are ICHA, Habitat and Greater Iowa City Housing Fellowship homes, and some had
down-payment assistance. Rackis added that some are subsidized on a second mortgage, and some are
Section 8. Nasby noted that this matter had come up previously, but since the numbers were quite Iow
the data was not collected or mapped. Nasby added that this could be done if the Taskforce wanted the
data.
Hayek said that in terms of a to-do list, the group should reflect on the discussion so far, as well as the
group's goals, corrections, and things that could be done better in all housing areas. That could even
include suggestions on landlords and maintenance of rental units. The Taskforce will meet next Monday
and discuss the matrix, then embark on the discussion about recommendations.
Dennis asked if the meeting on January 31st would be at 6:30. Nasby said yes.
Hayek said he received a call from Heather Shank, City Staff person for the Human Rights Commission.
They would like to hear about what the Taskforce is doing, so Hayek will be giving a summary at their
meeting on January 25. Nasby said it would be held in Emma Harvat Hall (a.k.a. Council Chambers) at
7:00. Hayek said he thinks that group was the one that sent a letter to the Council asking for an update.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to come before the taskforce, Anthony moved to adjourn. Clausen
seconded, and the motion passed uncontested. Meeting was adjourned at 8:00 pm.
s:lpcdl~nuteslScatteredSiteHousingTaskforcel2005101-24-05ssht.doc
Scattered Site Housing Taskforce
Attendance Record
2005
01/03 1/24
D. Anciaux X O/E
J. Anthony X X
D. Clausen X X
M. Hayek X
J. Left X X
J. Peterson X X
S. Stutsman × X
VandenBerg X X
Key:
X = Present
0 = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
NM = No Meeting
..... Not a Member
MINUTES
SCATTERED SITE HOUSING TASK FORCE
JANUARY 31, 2005
LOBBY CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Don Anciaux, Jerry Anthony, Matthew Hayek, Jan Left, Jan Peterson, Joan
Vandenberg
MEMBERS ABSENT: Darlene Clausen, Sally Stutsman
STAFF PRESENT: Steve Nasby, Steve Rackis
OTHERS PRESENT: Charles Eastham, Amanda Cline, Maryann Dennis, Tracy Glaesemann, Alexis
Kluklenski, Luke Pelz, Patti Santangelo
CALL TQ ORDER:
Chairperson Hayek called the meeting to order at 6:40 pm. He noted that the minutes from the January
24, 2005 meeting are not yet available, and will be reviewed at the next meeting.
DELIBERATIONS REGARDING RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE CITY COUNCIL
Hayek began by summarizing points from the last meeting. Consensus was reached on criteria to use to
evaluate the census tract and block groups. Anthony and Nasby then created a matrix to apply the criteria
to the block groups. The matrix was adjusted several times due to some census tracts being eliminated,
as they were not in Iowa City. Nasby passed out the latest draft of the matrix.
Anthony explained the matrix chart, which has all the information from the past several meetings, so there
is nothing new. The matrix has gone though several iterations, so the data will need to be reviewed for
accuracy again before being finalized. Columns 1 and 2 have geographic information, columns 3-6 have
information on rental housing and percentages based on rental units, columns 7-10 have information on
the percentage of assisted housing that is based on all units, columns 11-16 are based on discussions
from the last meeting, columns 17-19 are based on poverty, and 20-21 are left blank and can be filled in
as necessary during the discussion.
Column 3 total number of rental units per block group
Column 4 number of assisted rental units per block group
Column 5 percent of assisted rental units per block group, with 100% equaling all rental
units in the block group
Column 6 needs to be evaluated in greater detail, because data may not be correct
Column 7 total number of units in each block group
Column 8 number of assisted rental units, which is the same as column 4
Column 9 percentage of all units that are assisted rentals, or column 8 divided by column 7
Column 10 block groups can be selected using the City criteria, which is the City average
plus 10%
Column 11 percent of all rental units per block group, with 100% equaling all units in the City
Column 12 percent of assisted rental units per block group, 100% equaling all assisted rental
units in the City
Column 13 column 12 divided by the citywide average, which was 3.03 in this iteration
Column 14 column 12 divided by column 11
Column 17 percentage poverty rates in each block group
Column 18 block groups selected for poverty level by City average plus 10%
Column 19 block groups selected for poverty level by City median plus 10%
Nasby explained the calculation of column 14 as a figure of how close the percent of assisted rental units
is to the percent of total rental units within each block group. The idea is that the percent of assisted
rental units should be close to the percent of rental units each block group represents. For example, a
block group with 1.7% of the total number of rental units in the City should also have approximately 1.7%
Scattered Site Housing Taskforce Minutes
January 31,2005
Page 2
of the total assisted rental units, per the fair share approach. The total of column 14 would therefore be
compared to column 5.
Vandenberg noted the calculation in column 14 only compare neighborhoods with rental units, rather than
ownership. Looking ahead, when trying to decide where to put more assisted housing, it would not be
wise to limit consideration to only those places that have rental units. Anthony agreed, and said that the
block groups with toe much assisted housing would be shown in column 16.
Anthony pointed out several block groups with very Iow numbers of assisted units, due to a Iow number of
units overall. Hayek said that looking at column 3 with the total number of rental units per block group
would be helpful in that evaluation. Anthony agreed, though he noted some block groups would still be
missed, such as tract 105 block 1.
Hayek asked whether columns 14 and 16 should be deleted, based on the discussion.
Vandenberg said she likes to look at the raw scores, rather than the percentages. She continued by
asking what the difference is between columns 18 and 19. Anthony answered that the median is the
number in the middle of a series of numbers. For example, the median of 1,2, 3, 4, 5 is 3. The median of
1,2, 3, 4, 100 is still 3. The average adds all the numbers up and then divides the total by the number of
items. Vandenberg asked if median is a more accurate statistical figure. Anthony replied that it depends
on what it is used for, though one thing median does is remove outliers.
Dennis asked whether the information on all assisted units in the matrix includes housing for the elderly.
Rackis replied it includes all existing, plus more that will be completed soon. Vandenberg handed out a
chart detailing the different types of assisted housing in each tract. She said it is not completely accurate,
as she does net know how all of the units should be categorized, such as elderly and disabled housing.
She also did not have a breakdown on single versus family units. While the data is not accurate, it is a
suggestion on a possible format for the data layout, and shows the further research that would be needed
to make the information accurate.
Vandenberg asked how one-bedroom units at Pheasant Ridge would be categorized. Rackis said it is
estimated that 221 of 248 units are occupied by students. Single units are usually students, though the
multiple bedroom units could have families. The family could be any type of family that qualifies for
assistance, which could be Iow-income or a disabled family, for example.
Vandenberg noted that this categorization could be significant. For example, Pheasant Ridge has a large
impact on tract 4 block 1. Having that data sorted would be very helpful. Peterson agreed that it is
important to know what type of assisted housing is being evaluated.
Dennis asked if it would be simple to remove assisted housing units with specific regulations, such as
housing that requires residents to be at least 55 years of age and allows no children. Nasby replied doing
that raises a concern with fair housing and policies that target certain populations. Vandenberg said that
the purpose would be to see where the different types of housing are located. Nasby agreed, noting that
was why a table was put together with categories such as emergency housing, transitional housing,
permanent housing, and permanent supportive housing while not distinguishing what demographic they
were designed to serve. He said that looking at housing according to the type of population served is a
slippery slope best avoided.
Hayek said that still raises the concern that though the matrix will single out certain block groups for
certain measures using the raw numbers, it is still helpful to know what types of housing are in the
highlighted blocks. He asked how the Taskforce would like to approach that, while keeping the fair
housing concerns in mind. Peterson said that since the Taskforce was discussing the approach to
encourage building housing in certain areas, rather than restricting it in others, then it may not be an
issue. Hayek said that if the Taskforce will be encouraging certain development in some areas and not
encouraging it in others, then the result would essentially be the same.
Vandenberg said that if looking at raw numbers, there are many spaces with "x." Anthony agreed, saying
that numbers that were problematical have an "x" in their spaces. Nasby said that an "x" is missing from
column 6, tract 17 block 1, which is 26.09.
Scattered Site Housing Taskforce Minutes
January 31,2005
Page 3
Hayek said there is also the issue of 10 percentage points above the number, and whether to use that
measurement. Anthony said that he believes it would be easier to continue using the City's logic and
apply the 10% to the City average, rather than using a new measure. He noted that using the 10%
measure as stated catches almost all of the block groups that the Taskforce had identified as areas of
concern. Hayek said that is fine as long as it is certain that approach is City policy. Anthony said it is.
Hayek asked if there were any cases when that policy had been applied to very Iow percentage numbers,
such as 4%. Nasby replied that this policy was applied to only two things, which were Iow-moderate
income level and minority. The lower number in these two areas was 13%, as such if the Taskforce used
the 10% above criteria; the target number for this would then be 23%.
Hayek suggested that Vandenberg's category chart of the types of housing could serve as narrative
explanation to accompany the Taskforce's recommendations. It would then be informative to the reader,
though it would not be incorporated into a policy. He further suggested having the Taskforce rely on the
percentages in the matrix for identifying problematical areas.
Vandenberg said that there is also the question of impacts. She asked where evaluating the spaces filled
with "x" on the matrix would lead the discussion, unless changing the City average would alter the results
significantly. Anthony said that the City average definitely would change, since one tract had been
removed from the equation. Rackis asked for clarification of what the current City average number of 3.03
represented. Anthony replied that the number represented the percent of assisted rental units each block
group would have if they were evenly distributed throughout the city.
Nasby said the revised number for the City average is 3.22 now that the incorrect census tracts have
been removed. Anthony said that would change the numbers in column 13, though the results should not
change significantly since the block groups that were identified in the earlier calculation were above the
target number by a large amount.
Hayek said that if columns 14 and 16 are removed, there are four ways to evaluate the block groups.
Anthony said they are columns 6, 10, 15, and then either 18 or 19. He noted that the Taskforce still needs
to discuss and agree to use those measures. Vandenberg asked whether the block groups need to be
identified according to the measures once or more than once. Hayek said that is still to be decided.
Vandenberg said that approaching the measures that way might eliminate a lot of the block groups.
Hayek noted that no block groups are identified by all the measures.
Hayek asked whether census blocks are determined by population. Nasby replied that while some effort
is made by the census to make their populations comparable, they are not exact. It is a range.
Glaesemann said that if a tract becomes overpopulated, it will be split and another block is made.
Anthony said that looking at column 7 could show the variation in the number of units in each block group.
Hayek asked about student data for blocks in tract 21. Nasby said that dorms and institutions are not
included.
Hayek suggested going through the matrix and deciding what the Taskforce wants or does not want,
starting with columns 3 through 6. Peterson asked for confirmation that column 6 refers to the percent of
assisted rental units. Hayek said yes, the percent of assisted rental units in that block group. Anthony said
that anything above 18.26% in column 5 should be flagged in column 6.
Vandenberg said that the only number that appears out of place is for the last block in tract 105. Nasby
said that is because of where 105 is located, and also because much of the growth in that tract has
occurred since the census data was gathered, and therefore is not included in the matrix numbers.
Hayek asked for confirmation that the Taskforce is comfortable using the data from columns 3 through 6.
He noted that Clausen and Stutsman still need to evaluate the data and offer their opinions.
Anciaux noted tract 17 block 1 has very few rentals, and asked how blocks with such Iow numbers should
be evaluated. Vandenberg asked about evaluating those blocks using all units, rather than just rental
units, since that might be more representative of the neighborhood. Rackis said that since the census
data was gathered, as of August 2005 an additional 2083 rental units will have been built in Iowa City, 77
of which are assisted. The number of units per tract or block group is not available, however. The number
of new owner-occupied units is also not as readily available.
Scattered Site Housing Taskforce Minutes
January 31, 2005
Page 4
Vandenberg said that there is a wide variance in the number of units in each block group. Hayek said that
a floor could be designated to help control for that variable. For example, block groups with less than a
certain number of units would not have certain measures applied to them. Peterson asked whether that
would work or make things too complicated. Anthony noted that it would make it more complicated.
Vandenberg suggested designating a certain number of measures that each block group has to meet in
order to qualify. Hayek said that was one reason the matrix was set up.
Anciaux asked how many units are at Calloway (a.k.a. The Lodge). Rackis replied there are 87 units
online already, and 114 are scheduled to go online by August 1. There are 558 bedrooms divided
between about 200 units.
Hayek asked whether the Taskforce would like to think about the four measures on the matrix and
continue discussion later. Peterson asked for confirmation that the Taskforce members should be thinking
about whether they are good measures. Hayek said yes, and if they are, he also asked that the members
think about how many measures a block group needs to meet in order to qualify. Anthony added that
consideration could also be given to whether any should be removed.
Anthony said it would helpful to see a map of possible places where land is available for future
development. Nasby said he cannot make a small version of the map as it would be unreadable, but there
is a large one available in the Planning Department. He left to get it.
Vandenberg asked what the difference is between columns 15 and 16. Anthony said 15 selects block
groups based on information from column 13. Block groups with a ratio greater than one have been
selected in column 15. A ratio greater than one indicates a higher percentage of assisted rental units than
the citywide average. Peterson asked for clarification on what the citywide average percent of assisted
rental units is. Anthony said that the city average is figured by dividing the total number of assisted rental
units by the number block groups.
Rackis asked whether that means each block group should theoretically have 3.22% assisted units.
Anthony said yes, if they were evenly distributed.
Vandenberg asked for confirmation that the Taskforce needs to decide whether to use column 15 or 16.
Anthony said yes, and also a decision needs to be made between columns 18 and 19. Hayek asked
whether columns 14 and 16 were the result of a miscommunication. Anthony and Nasby said no, those
numbers are fine. Vandenberg asked what the difference is between columns 14 and 16. Anthony said
they are different ratios. Column 14 is calculated by dividing column 12 column 11, while column 13
equals column 12 divided by the City average, in this case 3.03.
Rackis noted again the difficulties with block groups with very Iow numbers of units. Hayek asked whether
establishing a floor would help control for that, though that would make things more complicated.
Vandenberg noted that the recommendation as a whole would have to be explained in some way.
Anthony agreed that it needs to be as simple as possible because of that. Hayek pointed out that the
recommendations also will need to be understandable to providers, who will use them to base their
decisions on.
Anciaux asked whether students are included in the census data for the poverty percentages per block
group. Nasby said the results are supposed to be based on where they are currently living. Anthony said
that students above the age of 15 are included in the data. He asked if there is a way to remove students
from the data. Nasby replied that a certain age cohort could be removed, such as 18-24. However, not all
18-24 year-olds are students.
Vandenberg said that when looking at multiple indicators on the matrix, tract 4 block 1 and tract 18 block
2 are the ones that stand out. Rackis said that tract 14 block 2 appears three times, and tract 21 block 2
appears three times unless column 16 is removed.
Peterson asked whether column 15 or 16 should be used. Anciaux asked whether the difference between
the two columns is .10%. Peterson said no, the difference is what is being measured. Peterson asked for
confirmation that column 15 is the percent of assisted rental units compared to the citywide average of
assisted rental units, while column 16 is the percent of assisted rental units compared to the citywide
Scattered Site Housing Taskforce Minutes
January 31,2005
Page 5
average of all rental units in the City. Anthony said yes. He continued by saying that means, for example,
that in tract 1 block 1 in column 12, 0.09% of the assisted rental units in the City are located in that tract.
Anthony said that column 13 compares assisted rental units in each block group versus total assisted
rental units. Column 14 is column 12 divided by column 11, which compares percentage of assisted rental
versus percentage of rental in each block group. Column 13 is column 12 divided by 3.22.
Peterson confirmed that the Taskforce needs to decide which to use between 15 and 16. Anthony said
yes, and also decide between 18 and 19, then decide whether multiple criteria are needed or not.
Vandenberg suggested that looking only at the percent of assisted units might help control for the fact
that a large number of rental units have come online since the census data was gathered. Only
comparing assisted units citywide with assisted units per block group may give more accurate results.
Anthony noted that approach would be complicated by the block groups that have very Iow numbers of
rental units may, which may then have a skewed percentage of assisted units. For example, a block
group with 8 assisted units, but only 11 units overall would have an inflated percentage of assisted units.
Peterson said column 15 is closer to what the Taskforce wants to measure. Hayek asked whether there is
consensus about column 15. Left and Peterson agreed. Anthony asked for confirmation that the
Taskforce is not voting on one over the other at this point. Peterson said no, it is a recommendation for
Clausen and Stutsman. Hayek said a new draft would be sent out with the new numbers for the next
meeting.
Peterson said next is to consider columns 18 and 19. Nasby said only one block group is affected by
choosing one versus the other. Peterson agreed, but added that she would like to figure out which one is
closer to what the Taskforce would like to know.
Hayek asked Anthony what his argument was for using average. Anthony said it would be consistent with
what the City has done in the past. Since the census definition of concentrated poverty is 40%, shifting
the percentage back so far will require justification, and the citywide average has been used in the past.
Also, only one block group will change by using column 18, and the concept of median is more likely to
need explanation.
Hayek asked if any of the Taskforce members present would prefer to use median. None expressed a
preference for median. Vandenberg suggested that the poverty measure not be weighted as heavily as
other measures, because of the student population skewing the numbers. Hayek asked if there was
agreement to use average. Those present expressed general agreement.
Hayek said that a new draft of the matrix would be completed and sent out. He asked that the Taskforce
members come to the next meeting with thoughts and suggestions about the four measures, and how
many are required for a block group to be considered an area of concern. Left confirmed that the four
measures are 6, 10, 15, and 18. Hayek said yes.
Hayek said consensus needs to be reached on whether to apply a floor to the block groups with very Iow
numbers of units. Peterson suggested also including the types of units as well as the numbers. If
including information about the types of units can be explained as part of the Taskforce's consideration
without increasing the overall complexity, it should be included.
Vandenberg asked whether Hayek has a structure in mind for the proposal. Hayek replied that it would
involve the data matrix along with an explanation, as well as any accompanying soft data attached to it.
Also, he is considering what a policy based on the Taskforce's recommendations would like, and whether
it is understandable. The current process for building assisted housing is that applications for go through
the Housing and Community Development Commission, and then based on CITY STEPS criteria, are in
place that are applied and given scores, then it is all discussed. That is the system in which the
Taskforce's recommendations would be implemented, and the question is how to do that in a way that
makes sense and is viable. Anthony added that incentives also need to be considered.
Vandenberg asked whether the Taskforce could include analysis of the data along with the
recommendations. For example, even though a certain block group falls into a cedain category, it should
not be included for specific reasons. Hayek said that it is possible to a point. Peterson added that there
Scattered Site Housing Taskforce Minutes
January 31,2005
Page 6
would be a point where the Taskforce is not available to give special explanations for exceptions to the
data. Vandenberg said that she would then advocate applying a floor to the data.
Anciaux said the only discriminating factors would be hoping the City enacts incentives to build in certain
areas. Vandenberg said she would like the recommendation to be as simple as possible. Rackis said that
if talking about a gap in the fair-share gap, the question is how to close the gap rather than hew to restrict
more development.
Hayek said that a new iteration of the matrix will be sent out, and everyone should think about the
measures. Nasby displayed a map of developing areas in Iowa City from the Planning Department, and
explained where some of the recent growth has been and the areas available for development. Next
meetings were planned for February 14 at 4:15 p.m. and tentatively for February 28 at 4:30 p.m.
Vandenberg asked whether the Public Hearing would be in March. Hayek suggested that enough details
should be decided on by the end of the next meeting, and that a subcommittee would probably be formed
to write up the recommendations. Then a Public Hearing would be planned for early March.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 pm.
Scattered Site Housing Taskforce
Attendance Record
2005
01/03 1/24 1/31
D. Anciaux X O/E X
J. Anthony X X X
D. Clausen X X O/E
M. Hayek X X X
J. Left X X X
J. Peterson X X X
S. Stutsman X X O/E
VandenBerg X X X
Key:
X = Present
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
NM = No Meeting
..... Not a Member
IP25
MINUTES DRAFT
Iowa City Airport Commission
February 16, 2005
Iowa City Airport Terminal
Members Present: Randy Hartwig, Chair; Carl Williams; Dan Clay (left at 6:33 PM);
Michelle Robnett; and John Staley (arrived at 6:25 PM)
Staff Present: Sue Dulek, Mitch Behr, Karin Franklin
Others Present: Rick Mascari, Harry Wolf
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Hartwig called the meeting to order at 5:47 PM.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL:
Accept the purchase offer by Price Properties
SALE OF LAND:
Chairperson Hartwig asked Realtor Harry Wolf to start the discussion regarding the offer
that has been made on the 21+ acres of land being sold at the Airport. Price Properties is
the company handling the sale of the land for Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart is planning to build a
Super Wal-Mart on this property. Wolf stated that he feels that the process should go
smoothly, as they handled much of the detail up front. He stated that he would also like
to discuss the remaining land with the Commission, sometime in the near future.
Williams stated that he had emailed Dulek with the questions that he had regarding this
sale. He had asked if the sale of this property would cause a reconfiguration of the other
lots by size and value; also, is this land the most valuable of all, and if so, is a new
appraisal needed on the remaining property; and does the sale of this property and some
of the easements and fight-of-ways infringe on their ability to sell or give access to any of
the other properties, hence giving them a limited value. He then shared Dulek's
response: yes, it would be re-subdivided so the lot size will be reconfigured; as to value,
she suggested they ask Wolf; and that Wolf would advise the Council and Commission
on this; and thirdly, she stated she was not sure she understood the question, but that it is
the City's sole decision to sell or not, not the Airport's. Wolf then discussed with the
members the various land uses, with members asking questions regarding types of
businesses that could use the areas available.
Franklin then addressed the members' questions regarding land use plans by the City.
She also discussed the rezoning of land, as well. She asked the members to give her
feedback on how they want the remaining land to be developed. Mascari then shared
what he knows about the FAA requirements regarding the sale of land. He stated that it
was his understanding that the money from the sale of land must remain on the airport.
He stated that if the Airport has a positive balance in their account, the FAA would not
Airport Commission
February 16, 2005
Page 2
give them the 95% grant money that they have been receiving. He suggested leasing the
remaining properties, and cautioned the Commission to go slowly and be aware of these
regulations. Members continued to ask Wolf and Franklin questions concerning Wal-
Mart building on this land, and if either of them knew of any reason the Commission
should not recommend this sale.
MOTION: Williams moved to recommend to the City Council to accept the offer by
Price Properties, the company acquiring the 21.67 acres of land for Wal-Mart;
seconded by Clay. Motion carried 5 to 0.
AIRPORT SECURITY PLAN:
Williams discussed the security plan that he worked on. He stated that the Cedar Rapids
fire and emergency crews could be coming to Iowa City for training in this area. Hartwig
asked for clarification on a few issues.
Moved'by Hartwig, seconded by Robnett, to adopt Res. A05-06, approving the
Airport Security Plan. Affirmative roll call vote unanimous, 4/0, Clay absent.
AIRPORT MANAGEMENT:
Chairperson Hartwig noted that they needed to amend the agreement with Bill Flannery
and Schneider and Associates in order to continue this work.
Moved by Staley, seconded by Robnett, to adopt Res. A05-07, approving an
amendment to the consultant services agreement with Snyder & Associates, Inc. for
temporary management services. Affirmative roll call vote unanimous, 4/0, Clay
absent.
ADJOURNMENT:
Meeting adjourned at 6:40 PM.
Airport Commission
ATTENDANCE RECORD
YEAR 2005
TERM 1/13 2/10 2/16
NAME EXP.
Daniel Clay 3/1/08 O/E X X
Randy 3/1/09 X X X
Hartwig
Miehelle 3/1/07 X X X
Robnett
John Staley 3/1/06 X X X
Carl 3/1/10 X X X
Williams
KEY: X = Present
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
NM = No meeting
.... Not a Member