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2005-05-03 Correspondence
Date: April 28, 2005 To: City Council From: Anissa Williams, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner Re: Update on the re-survey of Oakcrest Street residents regarding removing NO PARKING 8 AM - 5 PM MON - FRI signs At the April 5, 2005 City Council meeting you deferred an item on the consent calendar regarding a re-survey of Oakcrest Street residents to remove NO PARKING 8 AM - 5 PM MON - FRI signs on the south side of the street between Sunset Street and George Street. At that time 59% of the households surveyed on that block of Oakcrest Street were in favor of removing the signs. You requested that the neighborhood try to compromise and present a solution that more people agreed with at a later City Council meeting. Last Friday, I received a letter (see attached) stating the results of a neighborhood meeting. At the meeting, 15 households of the 23 total were present. All present agreed to a proposed modified parking sign that would read NO PARKING 10 AM - 4 PM MON - FRI on the south side of Oakcrest Street. This compromise appears to address the concerns on both sides of the parking issue. Two days later neighborhood representatives went to all 23 households on this block of Oakcrest Street and asked for signatures approving this compromise. 21 out of 23 signed the petition in agreement with the proposed signs. After further consideration, 10 households of the 21 have rescinded their signatures in another petition (also see attached). This results in 11 in favor of the proposed sign change and 12 opposed. It is clear that a neighborhood compromise has not been reached. As stated in the previous memo, Iowa City Transit staff would prefer to leave parking off the south side of Oakcrest Street. The bus operates all day on this route and the street would be narrowed with parking on one side of the street. JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planning staff does not have a position regarding removing the signs or changing the time period on the sign. As stated prior to the December 2003 survey, we do not believe there is a safety issue with vehicles parked on the one side of Oakcrest Street. The accompanying item and comment on your May 3 City Council meeting consent calendar replaces the item on the April 5 meeting agenda. It proposes the 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mon-Fri signs as proposed by the recent neighborhood petition. The neighborhood has been informed that enforcement by the police will be on a complaint basis only. City Council has the option to favorably approve the item and comment on the May 3 meeting agenda, which has 48% neighborhood approval. There are also three other options. You can decide to vote down the item and comment and leave the existing parking signs as-is; remove the existing parking signs and allow parking as in the previous survey results of 59% neighborhood approval; or defer the item and comment indefinitely until a neighborhood consensus has been reached. We will proceed with action after you have made your determination. We do not intend to consider any requests to re-survey the neighborhood again regarding parking on the south side of Oakcrest Street between Sunset Street and George Street for at least one year. Let me know if you have any questions. cc: City Manager JCCOG Executive Director Director of Parking and Transit jccogtp/mem/oakcrest-update.doc Ms. Anissa Williams JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner City of Iowa City 4/21/2005 Re: Parking on the south side of Oakcrest St. between Sunset and George Dear Ms. Williams, The Oakcrest Street neighborhood (between Sunset and George) held a meeting on 4/18/2005 to discuss the parking situation in the street. 21 residents representing 15 households attended the meeting. Each participant expressed his opinion on the subject and described the parking needs of his house's residents. In the discussion that followed it was agreed that a "No parking 10:00am - 4:00pm Mon-Fri" would be the most reasonable solution. Since not all the street's residents attended it was decided to allow two days for the meeting's participants to explain and discuss this resolution with residents that did not attend, and after those two days a signup sheet would be passed among the households to see how many of them approve. Of the 23 households in the street, only one did not approve. 21 households approved the resolution and the residents of one household were absent. The reasons for this resolution, as brought up in the meeting, are as follows: It will provide significant time for snow removal in the winter, which is needed to help ease the traffic in the street that is also a bus route, will (hopefully) allow reasonable enforcement, and will ensure that the street will not get completely clogged by cars that are parked for the whole day while their owners go to work in Oaknoll or in UIHC. In the past, when street parking was allowed at all times the street was completely filled up with such cars and there were hardly any parking spots left for the street's residents and their guests. It also created a situation of cars parking just a little into resident's driveway openings, which made it hard to pull out of driveways. At the same time the proposed resolution will allow enough street parking time in the morning (until 10:00am) and in the afternoon (from 4:00pm) which is desperately needed by residents of multi tenant rentals who are working or studying on different schedules. It will also allow parking space for their guests. Oakcrest Street neighborhood meeting - attendance 4/18/05 Geese St. 12~cre~,..~r~ (Facing George St.) _ ~-- 1214 Oakcrest 1211 Oakcrest 1218 Oakcrest 1215 Oakcrest 1220 Oakcrest 1210 Oakcmst \ 1224 Oakcrest 1225 Oakcrest 1302 Oakc.,mSt~l,~7 ~"~Y- 130i 130,r~ Oa~rest ¢. ~ 1309 Oakcrest 1314 Oakcrest 1317 Oakcrest ~ Sunset , ~ 622~ Sunset 628 Sunset 630 Sunset Sunset St. While I realize that the change that the neighborhood is requesting (No parking 10:00am - 4:00pm instead of 8:00am - 5:00pm) might seem too minute to justify the effort involved in making the change, I would like to stress out that this is in fact a major change for people in the multi tenant houses who comprise a significant number of the street's residents. Some of these people are working late shifts in the hospital and some are starting their work/studies early in the morning. When parking is not allowed 8:00am - 5:00pm these people have to constantly wake each other up late at night or early in the morning, to either rearrange the cars in the driveways or make way for their roommates to drive out. Adding the two hours parking time in the morning and one hour in the afternoon would ease this problem significantly. Moreover, I believe that the effort involved in making this change would prove worth while in the long run: This resolution has the potential to hold, as it is simply a practical, reasonable compromise that the residents stand behind. I believe that the effort that the city would invest now would save efforts of going through additional surveys and changes in the future. The neighborhood went through a very positive process: Not only we got to know each other; we were able to overcome differences in opinions and needs, to compromise, and to reach an agreement. I hope that the city will stand behind us. Attached are the meeting's attendance sheet and the signup sheet in favor of the proposed resolution. I would appreciate it if you forward this letter to City Council along with the other materials. Thank you for your dedication and efforts! Einat Snk A resident of Oakcrest Street On 4/18/05 The Oakcrest Street neighborhood (between Sunset and George) held a meeting regarding the parking situation in the street. The 21 residents, representing 15 houses, that attended the meeting came up with the following resolution: The signs on the south side of the street will state: "NO PARKING 10:00 AM TO 4:00 PM MON- FRI" Our signitums below indicat~ that the msident/s of our house agr~d to support this resolution. (One signiture per house) House Sig ~tu~le ! ] House Signiture 1202 Oakcrest ( ~<~ ~/~ Facincj George St 1214 Oakcrest \ ~/1~ ~ ~fz/ 1211 Oakcrest 1218 Oakcrest ~.~ 1215 Oakcrest / , 1219 Oakcrest ~.¥~ ~2~, ~' -- ~'"' 1302 Oakcrest ~-~/~ (x~'- J ~- 1301 Oakcrest _ 1308 Oakcrest 1309 Oakcrest 620 Sunset ~.~///~~ 1321 O akcrest ~, ~ 622 Sunset 628 Sunset BOB JETT 1308 OAKCREST IOWA CITY IOWA 52246 April 27, 2005 City Council City Hall 410 E. Washington St. Iowa City, IA 52240 RE: Oakcrest Street Dear Council Members, Attached please fred a document signed by residents of Oakcrest Street, regarding the issue of parking on that street. The individuals who have signed this document are those who have thought about the issue and changed their minds from a previous belief that parking should be restricted to certain times. After further reflection, these individuals believe that signage restricting parking would not help the problems we have faced since parking was outlawed on Oakcrest Street. As stated in previous correspondence to you, we would respectfully request that parking be reinstated on Oakcrest Street, without restrictions as to time. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Bob Jett After further reflection on the issue of parking on Oakcrest Street, I do not believe that it would be helpful to install signage prohibiting parking during any portion of the day. I have thought about this issue at length, and I feel that it is in the best interests of the neighborhood that parking be allowed during the day as well as during the evening. I fee that the destruction of property due to the unavailability of parking is diminishing property values, and I think that parking on the street would serve to enhance property values. In addition, when friends or relatives of residents come to visit, they currently have no place to park. Therefore, I would like to go on record as saying I am in favor of parking on Oakcrest Street unrestricted as to time of day. Address Date Signature ~-- signatur~ Address Date - Address Date Signature . Address Date Sig )~e Address Date gnatur Address Signature Address ~:~D~tte Silage Address Date Signa~ Address Date Sig , Ad.ess Signa~ Ad.ess Dine After further reflection on ~e issue of p~king on O~crest S~eet, I do not believe that it would be help~l to ~s~l si~ge pro.biting p~ng d~ng ~y ~ion of~e day. I have ~ought about ~s issue at len~, ~d I feel ~at it is in ~e ~st imeresB of ~e nei~rhood t~t p~hng be fllowed d~ng ~e day ~ well ~ d~g ~e eve~g. I fee ~t ~e des~ction of pro~ due to ~e ~v~labiliW of p~ng is di~s~ng pro~ vflues, ~d I ~ ~at p~khg on ~e s~eet would se~e to e~ce pro~ values, h addition, when ~ends or relatives of residents come to visit, ~ey c~ntly have no place to p~k. ~emfore, I would like to go on record ~ sang I m in favor of p~ng on O~crest S~eet msfficted ~ to time of day. Si~a~ ~ ' Ad.ss Date Silage Ad.ss Date Si~e Ad.ess Date Si~e Address Date Signature Address Date Signature Address Date Signature Address Date Date Signature Address ~ Z:1 .-: ': Silage Ad.ess : Date An active LifeCare community since 1966 April 24, 2005 Robert Jett 1308 Oakerest St Iowa City, Ia. 52246 Dear Bob, This letter is a follow up to our discussion by phone last week about Oaknoll's two level parking ramp on the comer of Oakerest and George Streets. As you know the upper level of the ramp was dosed shortly af[er construction began on the George Street Addition so that work could begin on the underground parking which extends south from that ramp. It is anticipated that the upper level will be reopened sometime in the next month. There are approximately 25 parking spaces on that upper deck and they.will be used by staff and visitors to Oaknoll. I fully expect that this, as well as other parking areas on the campus, will accommodate Oaknoll's parking needs. Executive Director Oaknoll Retirement Residence · 701 Oaknoll Drive · Iowa City, Iowa 52246 To Whom It May Concern, I am a resident on Oakcrest Street. I would like to request that you allow parking on my street. I live with three other girls and we all have our own cars. We have to move our cars around quite frequently, and when there is only one person in the house, it is very hard to move three cars just to get out. It would make our live much easier if we could park on the street, to ease the trouble of moving cars. Also, the street is becoming less aesthetically pleasing because our neighbors are forced to park on their lawns to avoid high priced tickets. There is plenty of need for parking in Iowa City, and plenty of room on our street. I would have attended tonight's meeting, but I was unable due to an Accounting exam. Please consider these words and the voice of my neighbors when making your decision. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, 1314 Oakcrest St After further reflection on the issue of parking on Oakcrest Street, I do not believe that it would be helpful to install signage prohibiting parking during any portion of the day. I have thought about this issue at length, and I feel that it is in the best interests of the neighborhood that parking be allowed during the day as well as during the evening. I fee that the destruction of property due to the unavailability of parking is diminishing property values, and I think that parking on the street would serve to enhance property values. In addition, when friends or relatives of residents come to visit, they currently have no place to park. Therefore, I would like to go on record as saying I am in favor of parking on Oakcrest Street unrestricted as to time of day. /.. Signature Address Date Signature Address Date Signature Address Date Signature Address Date Signature Address Date Signature Address Date Signature Address Date Signature Address Date Signature Address Date Marian Kart From: Jim Walden [Walden. Jim@iccsd.k12.iaus] Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2005 12:47 PM To: cou ncil@iowa-city.org Subject: Wal-Mart Please take time to read and consider the following article when making your decision regarding the issue of bringing in another Wal-Mart store. Thank you for your time and dedication to our city! Jim Walden 312 kimball Rd Iowa City Mar. 8, 2005 Employed by Wal-Mart; Insured by the State of Iowa Wal-Mart Stores Inc. announced last month that it posted a 16.2 percent increase in profits for its fourth quarter, beating Wall Street expectations. Its earnings for 2004 topped $10 billion for the first time. At the same time Wal-Mart was earning $10 billion in profits, the Associated Press reports that 856 of Wal- Mart's 17,000 Iowa employees received health benefits from the state of Iowa through Medicaid, the taxpayer- funded program for Iowa's neediest residents. Yes, some are part-time workers, but Wal-Mart's numbers don't look good compared to Iowa's largest employer, Hy-Vee. Hy-Vee has 24,500 employees, 361 of whom received Medicaid benefits last year. Five percent of Wal-Mart employees turned to the state of Iowa for their health care. Only 1.5 percent of Hy-Vee employees did the same. Republicans and Democrats alike are interested in knowing to what extent large corporations like Wal-Mart are shifting their health care costs onto the taxpayers. Answering that question is the goal of Senate File 199. It would require uninsured patients who receive health care at a hospital to provide the name of their employer and the number of hours they work each week. If the patient is not employed, as in the case of children, hospitals would be required to collect employer information for the person who is responsible for supporting the patient. This year, Iowa has to come up with an additional $170. million to fund Medicaid. And that $170 million does not include the new dollars the federal government will contribute to Iowa's Medicaid bills. Let's return to the Associated Press article: "A spokeswoman at Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines, Polk County's public hospital, said almost two- thirds of its 32,000 patients last year were uninsured, and a majority of them were from the working poor, 4/19/2005 Page 2 of 2 between 19 and 35 years old. 'It isn't that these companies don't offer health insurance,' spokeswoman Mikki Stier said. 'It's that they offer minimum wage jobs and the employees can't afford health insurance.'" Our health insurance subsidy of Wal-Mart has counterparts in the areas of housing, education and basic nutrition. Senate File 199 would provide valuable information on one type of hidden subsidy to low-wage employers. Top Iowa employers with employees on Medicaid Wal-Mart: 856 Tyson: 388 Casey's: 371 Hy-Vee: 361 Senate Democratic Research Staff Volume 8, Number 15 4/19/2005 Marian Karr From: Patricia Santangelo [patti_santange[o@hotmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2005 7:07 PM To: jerry-anthony@uiowa.edu; dentistD2000@yahoo.com; pattiea2002@yahoo.com; aaxeen@hacap.org; b2baltan@msn.com; joe_bolkcom@legis.state.ia.us; remaxrex@aohcom; bfburt55@aol.com; cdollman@trinityic.org; steve4kat2004@yahoo.com: jcook@elderservicesiowa.com; council@iowa-city.org; pastor-courtney@icfirstchurch.org; gailnjo@netins.net; spcjms@aol.com; david.oakland@mercyic.org; rbdawson@soli.inav, net bobdvorsky@yahoo.com; Dwightatwork@aol.com; charles-eastham@uiowa.edu; gelseman@mchsi.com; ro_foege@legis.state.ia.us; Ibfoor@machlink.com; church@gloriadeilutheranic.org; richard-green@uiowa.edu; hanson.mark@iccsd.k12.ia.us; Tom Harkin@harkin.senate.gov; karen-haslett@uiowa.edu; dbhenry@inav, net; RMH-~ppin@aol.com; bjames@ci.north-liberty, ia.us; arkjjg@avalon.net; Jhnancy@aol.com; teach529@aol.com; dlkepler@rockwellcollins.com; kevin-keyser@uiowa.edu; mkeyserl00 @mchsi.com; bruce.kittle@iowa.gov; david-klein@uiowa.edu; jameslang@mchsi.com; d- grouch@pobox.com; vicki_lensing@legis.state.ia, us Cc: brian-loring@ncjc.org; mary_mascher@legis.state.ia.us; mccue@zeus.ia.net; judymcroberts@mchsi.com; carol-mertens@uiowa.edu; judy. monk@linncounty.org; callsfyre@aol.com; pastored@mchsi.com; tneuzil@co.johnson.ia.us; jnewman- center@uiowa.edu; nich@mybigfamily.org; markpatton22@hotmait.com; kentandbecky@yahoo.com; beth-pelton@uiowa.edu; jan@unitedwayjc.org; ipfab@avalon.net; arauer@ia.net; joel-ringdahl@uiowa.edu; rodgda@ncs.com; sschnathorst@westmusic.com; todd@mysmall.net; nlschultz3@hotmail.com; tomshep@avalon.net; simmonscm@aol.com; Auditor@pobox.com; asorensen@shelterinsurance.com; corinnejstan@hotmail.com; nstensvaag@juno.com; strohaef@avalon.net; sstutsma@co.johnson.ia.us; cthompso@co.johnson.ia.us; megsue@avalon.net; Dan_Todd@usc.salvationarmy.org Subject: Show support for Cedarwood articles from Press Citizen Show support for Cedarwood Clarification What does it mean to live in community and to be 9art of a neighborhood? To most of us it means living in close proximity to others, sharing common interests, being friendly and helpful to one another. We would like to think that if we fell on hard times our neighbors would be there to help. We'd like to believe that Iowa City is a community that lives out Christ's command to "Love your neighbor as yourself." We equate "one another" with someone who is like us, who owns a home, has a car, a job, a complete family. But when faced with the reality of poverty, when the needs of the poor look us right in the eye, many of us look away. The renovation of the Cedarwood Apartments is providing Iowa City an awesome opportunity to serve "one another" in Jesus' name ("SouthGate terminates leases at Cedarwood,' April 2). Do you own a truck or van or have the resources to rent one? Can you carry a box? Are you able to watch over little ones? Do you have a desire and willingness to "love your neighbor"? If so, join me at Cedarwood Apartments at 8 a.m. on April 30. Let's show them that as a community we care. Cindy Hogan Grace Community Church Iowa City http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050402/NEWSO1/ 504020327 Saturday, April 2, 2005 SouthGate terminates leases at Cedarwood Property managers plan to renovate recent acquisition By Abigail McWilliam Iowa City Press-Citizen Philinda Carter is nine months pregnant and just found out she'll be forced to move from her home at Cedarwood Apartments. SouthGate, a property management group based in Iowa City, purchased the 64-unit complex from Newbury Management Co. and closed the deal Friday. Terms were not disclosed, but South-Gate plans a $2 million renovation for the property along Broadway Street in south Iowa City. "I just got here, and they want to put us all up out of here," Carter said Friday. A resident of the building for just a month, Carter, 28, was anticipating a place to raise her newborn. She says Newbury Management said it wouldn't be a problem for her to stay at least a year, although leases are month-to-month. "They didn't tell me about ... changes," she said. "I heard from neighbors, nobody is in the (management) office anymore." Representatives of SouthGate said tenants affected by the first phase of the renovation were notified they had to be out of their apartments in 30 days. Because of month-to-month leases, they were given notices of termination. "We went door to door to discuss relocating tenants," said Dennis Craven, a vice president of SouthGate. "We are very conscious of the needs of the tenants and very willing to help them in relocation." 2 SouthGate is offering the 62 tenants and families alternative locations at some of its properties close to Cedarwood, including Coronet Apartments and Broadway Condos. They are offering the same rent, lease agreement and no additional damage deposit if tenants choose one of those properties. "We tried to put together an offer where the tenants don~t have to dig in their pockets to come up with cash," Craven said. Should they decline those choices, SouthGate offers them a list of other landlords who are renting. Tenants will not be given compensation for the move, said Terry Morrow, another vice president for SouthGate, a residential and commercial developer in Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty and Williamsburg. The driving force behind the property purchase and renovation was the opportunity to improve the three-building complex, Morrow said. Along with the renovation, to be developed in three phases, comes an expectation that rent will be "significantly higher," Craven said. Renovation will begin May 1 and most of the project will be completed in August. Only those affected by phase one have received notices. "When are they going to tell us?" asked Gwendolyn Davis, who has lived at Cedarwood Apartments for two years. "They want to move us to wild ... Coronet (apartments) or raggedy Broadway {condos)? I'd be better off back on the west side of Chicago." Davis, 38, who has two children, said the announcement came out of the blue. "I like my apartment, and my boy doesn't have a chance at those other places," she said of her 16 year old. Another tenant, Nisaa Yamini, 24, hadn't been notified as of Friday although she lives in a building slated for the first phase of development. "I wasn't home yesterday when everybody else found out," she said. "Now I have to be out in a month and all they left was a letter about the management change -- nothing about moving out." The sale stems from the ending of the agreement between Newbury and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The complex was built in 1982 for iow- to moderate-income residents. It was designated a Section 8 property, meaning residents had to qualify for government housing assistance. The Cedarwood contract with HUD expired after 21 years in October 2003, when Newbury decided the property needed extensive work. "The plan was to exit the HUD contract and rehab the property," said Blaine Shaffer, district manager of Newbury Management. "After two years, we 3 saw SouthGate was better equipped te do it." Although Cedarwood dropped the HUD contract, 15 residents there still use Sectien 8 veuchers to pay rent. Brian Loring, executive director of the Neighborhoed Center in Johnson County, said he hadn't been informed about the property purchase. "It's not a bad thing to impreve the preperty. It dees need werk," he said. "But we're alse short ef affordable housing in the area." Iewa City's scattered site housing task force has identified areas seuth ef Highway 6 and east of the Iowa River as everburdened with the number of assisted housing sites. "It presents the question fer those whe can't afferd te stay there, where are they geing te go?" said Karin Franklin, planning'and community development director fer the city. http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050412~OPINION 03/504120303 Tuesday, April 12, 2005 Cedarwood transition too short The issue: · SouthGate, a property management group, is terminating leases at Cedarwood Apartments, where a number of low-income tenants live. We suggest: · A lenger transitien time than 30 days weuld have eased tenants' move. What de you think? · Was the 30-day transition time fair enough? · Send cemments via e-mail to epinion@ press-citizen.com. SouthGate's renevation of Cedarwood Apartments will benefit the community, but there are some short-term transition issues. The property management group purchased the 64-unit south Iowa City complex from Newbury Management Co. on April 1 and since has given notices of termination for leases to Cedarwood residents -- most of whom are low-income. SouthGate's actions are perfectly legal as tenants rent on month-to-month leases, and notices came 30 days before the complex will be closed. The company even offered the 62 tenants and families alternative locations at some of its nearby properties, including Coronet Apartments and Broadway Condos, for the same rent, lease agreement and no additional damage deposit. 4 Southgate certainly deserves credit for providing rental units to Cedarwood's residents. Despite that, the expense of relocating still put some tenants in a bad spot. Moving isn,t just a matter of coming up with a new security deposit or first month's rent but also the cost of hooking up new telephone, cable and sometimes, depending on where one relocates in the metro area, new electric and natural gas services. There also is the cost of moving furniture and personal items from place to place. Even if not renting a moving truck, tenants still need to purchase gas to haul belongings from one place to another. For people living from paycheck to paycheck, these are very real issues -- and a month hardly is enough time to save up enough money. Of course, all of this presumes residents will be able to find a place to move. Availability of units is cyclic in the Iowa City area, and we are entering a period of reduced availability. While anyone driving down a street will see a number of "for rent" signs, distinctions do exist between student and family housing as well as low-income and middle-class housing. Because of Cedarwood residents' limited incomes, finding a new apartment not as easy as picking up the paper and making a phone call. In addition, the closing decreases the amount of low-income housing available in Iowa City, and that system already is stressed with hundreds of people on a year-plus waiting list. While Southgate has offered alternative apartments, some residents will have to go down in housing quality and safety to have a place to live. It's already difficult enough for the impoverished to take a step forward, and lower quality housing is just another blow. Moving to Coronet Apartments and Broadway Condos may help alleviate another stickler arising from the termination notices: where children of Cedarwood families will go to school. Indeed, the timing couldn't be worse for families -- tenants have to move with just six weeks left in the school year. Coronet and Broadway avoid that problem as children there attend the same elementary as those from Cedarwood. But for those families who have to leave that part of Iowa City, it means switching schools or paying for transportation to cover the expense of sending children back to their current one, adding to the relocation expense. Such disruption hardly benefits the students' education, especially at a time when poor test scores among iow-income children is a significant problem in the school district. Without question, SouthGate's renovation of the property along Broadway Street in the long run will benefit south Iowa City. The company is investing money in an area of town that needs investment, and company officials deserve credit for that. At the same time, giving tenants more time to move -- say another 30-40 days -- would have softened the stress $ of relocation expenses, helped residents find places to live and avoided school building changes. That would have made SouthGate's improvements even more impressive. http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050415/OPINION 05/50415030~ Is city's idealism just some words? For the past year, I've been volunteering with the Iowa City Shelter House. As children come through the Shelter, I mentor them, take them to my church (if they choose), and build a positive enjoyable relationship with the family. Then as they transition out of the shelter, I continue to work with them wherever they land. Many families land in Cedarwood Apartments in the Broadway neighborhood ("SouthGate terminates leases at Cedarwood," April 2). It's one of the only iow-cost apartments in town. But these apartments, originally built to be iow-income dwellings, will be renovated and turned into more expensive housing. One family I know will be struggling to find housing again after just rising above homelessness last winter. Yes, SouthGate has kindly offered transitional help, but where will the poor go after yet another affordable housing unit is turned into unaffordable housing? One of my favorite aspects of Iowa City is its ideology. We live in a city driven to social progressiveness through forward-thinking academic elites. But now our ethereal academic theories are being tested as the poor come to our town from the desperate poverty of the inner city. The question we must now face is whether our political idealism is anything more than words. Brett Bymaster Iowa City Show support for Cedarwood Clarification What does it mean to live in community and to be part of a neighborhood? To most of us it means living in close proximity to others, sharing common interests, being friendly and helpful to one another. We would like to think that if we fell on hard times our neighbors would be there to help. We'd like to believe that Iowa City is a community that lives out Christ's command to "Love your neighbor as yourself." 6 We equate "one another" with someone who is like us, who owns a home, has a car, a job, a complete family. But when faced with the reality of poverty, when the needs of the poor look us right in the eye, many of us look away. The renovation of the Cedarwood Apartments is providing Iowa City an awesome opportunity to serve "one another" in Jesus' name ("SouthGate terminates leases at Cedarwood," April 2). Do you own a truck or van or have the resources to rent one? Can you carry a box? Are you able to watch over little ones? Do you have a desire and willingness to "love your neighbor"? If so, join me at Cedarwood Apartments at 8 a.m. on April 30. Let's show them that as a community we care. Cindy Hogan Grace Community Church Iowa City Help support a favorite cause at http://www.iGive.com/html/refer.cfm?memberid-6671&causeid=836 Donate to charity for free http://www.quickdonations.com/ Commit random acts of literacy! Read & Release at http://www.bookcrossing.com/friend/psantang Patti Santangelo patti_santangelo@hotmail.com Marian Karr From: srtgns [srtgns@yahoo.com] Sent: Sunday, April 17, 2005 8:31 PM To: council@iowa-city.org Subject: parking congestion April 15 2005 Continuation of previous e-mail concerning congestion and parking problems in iowa City: Review of yesterday's e-mail: simply stated, one reason for IC traffic congestion in the downtown area is because much of the traffic going to coralville goes thru IC. This is because of limited access to coralville, e.g. there is only one east entry to coralville from IC, and there is no west entry off 218 at the west end of coralville. This forces northbound Hiway one traffic thru downtown in order to enter coralville from the one east entry road. (Many Hiway one users do not know of the bipass on the south side of IC, that turns left off Hiway one just after the 218 overpass, then skirts the west side of IC and enters coralville from the south. A direction sign for this would help.) Also, there is no west entry into coralville off 218 near the shopping mall. This prevents hiway one users from taking this route to coralville, and therefore they go through downtown IC. Parking problems in the Mercy Hospital/Kinnick stadium area: It seems to be an unusual pairing to have a football stadium across the street from a major medical center. Especially since the football attendees take over the hospital parking during each home football game. From what I have seen at several other state universities, the trend is to build new stadiums on the outskirts of the city to alleviate traffic and parking problems, as well as to provide better facilities. I hope this can be done in IC, not only for the sake of the university hospital and football program, but also for the general traffic problem in Iowa city. Thansk for your attention, sam winslo, Fairfield, IA Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com Marian Karr From: Kathryn Johansen Sent: Thursday, April 21,2005 8:08 AM To: Marian Karr Subject: FW: FW: street congestion, parking ..... Original Message ..... From: srtgns [mailto:srtgns@yahoo.com] Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2005 8:32 PM To: Kathryn Johansen Subject: Re: FW: street congestion, parking --- Kathryn Johansen <Kathryn-Johansen@iowa-city.org> wrote: > > Good morning, > > Thank you for your e-mail to Mayor Lehman. Please > include your name with > this e-mail and resubmit. Thank you. > > Sincerely, > Kathi Johansen > Administrative Assistant > to the City Manager > > > ..... Original Message ..... > From: srtgns [mailto:srtgns@yahoo.com] > Sent: Saturday, April 16, 2005 4:02 PM > To: council@iowa-city.org > Subject: street congestion, parking > > april 15, 2005 > Note to Mayor Ernest lehman: > > This letter concerns street congestion in iowa city > and coralville, and paking problems near the mercy > hospital and football stadium. > I have visited iowa city frequently over the years > and > have noticed a congestion problem throughout the > city > and especially in the roads between iowa city and > coralville. From the south there is basically just > two streets going from IC to coralville. One goes > from Hiway one north to coralville. The other goes > from downtown IC west to coralville. Because of the > railroad tracks, there are no other streets leading > to > coralville from the south. To the east no other > streets lead directly into coralville. Up until a > few > years ago, the south entry to coralville wa two lane > and highly congested, now it is four lane. From the ! west end of corralville there is no access to hiway 218. Because of lack of access to coralville, iowa city is overcrowded. thanks sam winslo Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Small Business - Try our new resources site! http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/resources/ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com Marian Karr From: Garry and Betsy Klein [the3rdiowa@mchsi.com] Sent: Sunday, April 17, 2005 6:16 PM To: cou ncil@iowa-city.org Cc: Steve Atkins Subject: Downtown Clean-up Mayor Lehman and council members, My wife Betsy and I were shocked to see how littered the downtown sidewalks from around Iowa Avenue to around the Ped Mall were this morning (Sunday). I know that generally the Iowa City street cleaners do a great job of keeping things in good shape. What happened? With the front page story in the Des Moines Register about alcohol use in Iowa City, the visual image of the many I.D. bracelets, empty cups, cigarette butts and other assorted debris reinforced the images portrayed in that story. In talking with friends today who enjoy downtown like we do, we are concerned that the debris and bar noise from the many "watering holes" are painting an image that is presenting a challenge to the city's desired image. I would think that the city council and Downtown Association would be concerned about this perception, especially as downtown now is a cultural district. I think a good use of the new student liaison's and council's time could be to work directly with Leah Cohen and the barowner's group to facilitate some working solutions. Garry Klein 628 2nd Ave. Iowa City, IA 52245 To Whom It May Concern: I have recently noticed the large amount of trash that has been collecting on the streets and alleys of Iowa City, especially in the downtown area. I know there is a large amount of business in the area with not a sufficient amount of disposal containers but I think this a problem that the city should address. I happen to live in downtown along Iowa Street and find in very hard use the back door of my apartment complex because the amount of garbage overflow in the alley that is directly North of US Bank. When I walk through the alley I not only have to avoid the large amount of broken beer bottles, beer boxes and cigarette butts. But also I have encountered large portions of hair from the nearby hair solons, raw fish from nearby restaurants and also deli trays full of meat from God knows were. I have heard of efforts to prevent this in Iowa City by raising cleanup cost in the area, but I don't think this is enough. I think you could use the location and kind of trash found in the area and apply littering fines to local businesses would be at fault for the misplacement of these items. I would also like to see an effort to prevent the local homeless persons from rummaging through dumpsters. There has been numerous nights that I have woken up to the sound of garbage lids slamming from my alley facing window and looked out to find even more trash in the alleys. I do understand that some of the problems do come from the late night crowd of drunken college students not caring, but I think that there should be enough law enforcement downtown to not only prevent, alcohol abuse but also littering. Thank you very much for you time and allowing me to voice my concern! Joe Ripperger University of Iowa Student Chuck Campagne 630 S. Capitol St Apt 307 Iowa City IA 52240 Ernie Lehman 410 E Washington St Iowa City IA 52240 Dear Emie Lehman, I would like to raise the issue of smoking in Iowa City bars to the City Council. I feel that it hinders other bar goers from going out. If a ban was put in effect on the Iowa City bars, there would be a benefit in health and a greater social outcome. People who don't normally go the bar and restaurants for the reason of smoke saturated air will now have some motivation to go, this creating a better and more diverse social environment for all bars goers. The health effects are pretty obvious. Anywhere for the actual smokers to employees that are trying to carryout their job. I've been to Oregon State University bars along with Indiana University bars and I have noticed a much cleaner and healthier atmosphere from having the smoking ban in their bars. It would probably be a bit inconvenient to have those who do smoke, to go outside. But, it does pose an inconvenience on those who don't smoke, when the smokers stay in the bar to smoke. For those bar owners that feel they will lose some of their customer base due to a ban on smoking, are mistaken, as long as the effect is banned on all establishments no bar or restaurant would have an edge on the other. Oregon Department of Health found no decrease in liquor or beer sales after the ban took place in the bars in Corvallis, OR (Oregon State University). It was also stated that 65% of the customers enjoy the bars more because of the fact that there is a smoking ban in effect. I feel that it is fine to exercise your fundamental right as long as it doesn't harm or affect anyone in a bad way. I think it is fine for people to smoke in their own private homes or outside, where fresh air can be obtained rather easily. I would just appreciate ifI can enjoy my fundamental right to breathe clean air, as well Respectfully, Chuck Campagne March 21, 2005 Iowa City Council 410 East Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear Iowa City Council Members, Banning smoking in restaurants Each year secondhand smoke causes 3,000 lung cancer deaths and 35,000 heart disease deaths in nonsmokers in the United States. This number does not even compare to the problems is may cause over young children. Secondhand smoke causes 150,000 and 300,000 lower respiratory tract infections in infants and children 18 months and younger. As to a result of these infections, there are 7,500 and 15,000 hospitalizations, plus it causes 2,700 sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) deaths in the United States annually. These studies have recently been posted by the California Environmental Protection Agency. Smoking is obviously a huge problem. Innocent people should not be limited to. their control over their own physical condition. Therefore, I think not a complete solution but a start to the problem would be to ban smoking in restaurants in Iowa City. I do not believe this to be an unreasonable request, seeing that other states have already started making progress with this issue. In restaurants, those who choose to not to harm their bodies and smoke cigarettes, get to choose between sitting in a non-smoking section and a smoking section. Does this really do anything though? Most of these restaurants that give customers the choice have a three foot wall the divides a room full of smoke and those who wish to not be around it. It obviously is not keeping the smoke from drifting into a non-smoking section and harming innocent people. I look at it this way: if Iowa City was to ban smoking in restaurants then there is a choice of harming their bodies for both smokers and non-smokers. Those who do not smoke would be able to dine at a restaurant and enjoy their meal without worrying about their food being covered in smoke and having trouble breathing while they are simply trying to have a meal. Those who do smoke, are not having their right to smoke away, they simply can walk outside of a restaurant and enjoy their cigarette without harming others. It is not different then non-smoking facilities. I would like to significantly thank everyone and anyone who takes the time to read this letter. I appreciate it greatly. fully Respect , r'~ Marian Karr From: Ann Ridenour[aride@mchsi.com] Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2005 9:18 PM To: Council@iowa-city.org Cc: linda-kopping@iowa-city.org Subject: Parking for Senior Center On April 14th at 10:35 A.M., I stopped in a line of cars at the entrance to Tower Place. The ramp was full. After waiting ten to fifteen minutes, I pulled out of the line and ended up finding a parking place on College Street near Muscatine Avenue. Needless to say, I ended up being late for my volunteer work at the Senior Center. Sincerely, Jim Ridenour 4/15/2005 Iowa Valley HFH P.O. BOX 1241 Web: www.ivhth.org /I I/ IowaCity, IA 52244-1241 April 14, 2005 · To: City Council Members Re: CDBG/HOME recommendations .~- -- Dear Council Members: The Housing and Community Development Commission met over the past few months to score housing and public facilities applications. Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity was pleased to have scored the highest, by far, of the eleven original HOME eligible applicants. During subsequent meetings it was pointed out to the Commission that we still had $64,907 left unspent in the current year's allocation. We responded by saying that we had two limiting factors stymieing our efforts to purchase lots: a) We are not allowed by City guidelines to purchase lots below Highway 6 (where nearly all of the affordable lots in the city are located); b) We had recently been turned down by an owner of five lots when we offered full price and he found out that Habitat for Humanity was the buyer. We have chosen to not take any further action as the precedence it could set might jeopardize other future lot sales to us. We have another offer in on a couple of lots and we will know by the end of April if the offer is accepted; if it is, then we will have spent down this year's allocation and then some. As the Committee review progressed, our HOME housing recommendation droppe~ from $139,532 before March 17th (47% of the original request) down to $100,000 after March 17th (33.3% or the original request). This in spite of the fact that we increased our production the past year by double the previous year's production. Our scoring was the highest HOME eligible activity by a significant margin. The Committee has recommended we receive only 33.3% of our request The following is how the scoring tallied in rank order of scoring: Group 8core Allocation % of request Habitat for Humanity 83.67 $100,000 33.3% HAOAP (transitional) 77.11 $300,000 96% Johnson Oo. Perm Support Housing 76.22 $275,000 100% IO Housing Authority (rental assr) 75.56 $159,564 54% Gr. lC Housing Fellowship (rental) 74.11 $175,000 22% City of Iowa City (home ownership) 73.33 $30,000 12% Gr. lC Housing Fellowship (ownership) 73.11 $181,200 100% Extend the Dream (rental) 72.67 $75,000 77% River City Housing Collective (rental) 72.67 $25,000 25% City of Iowa City (rehab) not scored: city council earmarked $200,000 100% · Page 2 April 14, 2005 Only 24% of the non-earmarked funding was reserved for home ownership opportunities; 76% was recommended for rental housing. How does this jive with the Council's long-term desires to promote scattered site home ownership? Our questions are these: if Habitat for Humanity produces home ownership using pdmadly pdvate funding, family sweat equity and community volunteers to build homes which go entirely on the property tax rolls, why are we only being recommended for 1/3 of our request when we received the highest scodng? Of what practical use is the scodng system if it is not used in the final recommendation? Is the scodng system flawed or are there other factors that need to be taken into a(~ount in the scoring? What does it take to get most, if not all, of a request? We know you have difficult decisions to make. And we know you make every effort to render prudent decisions. We only need to understand how to compete fairly and fully for CDBG/HOME funding to build more affordable homes for working families. Thank you for your time and efforts. We will be on hand to take any questions at your May 3~d meeting. Sincerely,¢/,/.....7~,~ ~ .... ~_ Mark Patton ' Executive Director Iowa Hlq'H~o~ Vatley Habitat for HumanibJ Tel: 319.337.8949 Valley 0.0. Box 1241 Web: www. ivhfh.org Iowa City, IA 52244-1241 Apd114,2005 To: City Council Members Re: CDBG/HOME Public Facilities recommendations Dear Council Members: The Housing and Community Development Commission met over the past few months to score housing and public facilities applications. Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity submitted an application for $350,000 under the public facilities projects to secure a warehouse in Iowa City to house our ReStore operation. The Habitat ReStore is currently located in a donated warehouse space in Coralville and opened for business in February. To date we have diverted more than 25,700 pounds from the landfill since opening nine weeks ago. The ReStore takes in new and used building materials and appliances and sells them to the public. Landfill fees from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Johnson County Council of Governments help underwrite, in part, the start-up effort. The multiple goals for the project include landfill waste reduction, sale of useable building materials to the public for a fraction of new costs, and generation of funding for the construction of Habitat homes locally. After the first couple of Committee hearings, Habitat had a recommended allocation of $127,136. After the March 17~ headng the recommendation dropped to $0. Our scoring was 6th out of 11 applicants for the Public Facility activity (66.44 points). The lowest ranking group (63.22 points) received 75% of their funding request. The next lowest scoring group (63.89) received 33% of their request. The other three groups scodng below Habitat's score received 83%, 60% and 33% of their request. We are NOT appealing to you to divert any public facilities money from the groups that have received favorable funding recommendations. We hope we have one more year in our donated space to find other suitable space in Iowa City for a permanent home for the ReStore. We hope to identify an adequate space within the next year and we are planning to reapply for public facilities money next year. However, we need a clearer understanding of the scodng system. We know you have difficult decisions to make. And we know you make every effort to render prudent decisions. We only need to understand how to compete fairly and fully for CDBG/HOME funding to build more affordable homes for working families. Thank you for your time and efforts. We will be on hand to take any questions at your May 3~ meeting. Sincerely, ,../ / /........'~ /t ~ ~-- Mark Patton Executive Director :~.?: ~ ' ..... Marian Karr From: Carol Spaziani [spazianic@msn.com] Sent: Thursday, April 21,2005 12:21 AM To: councit@iowa-city.org Subject: Support for CDBG Special Needs Housing Recommendation April 21, 2005 409 Crestview Ave. Iowa City, IA 52245 Dear Members of the Iowa City City Council, As a family member of an adult child with schizophrenia, I have been active here since 1986 in working to see that adequate services are available in the community to support these fragile people as they struggle to live independently in the community. I am, therefore, very pleased to see that the Housing and Community Development Commission has unanimously recommended full CDBG and HOME funding for supported housing for persons with mental illness to be built near Chatham Oaks, the private, non-profit care facility on Melrose Ave. ("Johnson County Permanent Supportive Housing for Persons with Special Needs.") The principles of the Johnson County Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities Service Plan are predicated on persons with mental illness living in the least restrictive setting; this also happens to be the least expensive alternative for government funding sources. The least restrictive se~ting may not provide enough support for some consumers. For many years local family members have been seeking an alternative which fills a gap in the housing supply for this population: a private apartment with 24-hour staff support available when needed. Traditional in-home support services from other community agencies would continue to be available also. The project proposed for CDBG and HOME funding and recommended by the City Housing Commission, will fill this gap. Its proximity to Chatham Oaks with its 24-hour staff on call will provide a permanent and safe supportive housing environment. This project will become a reality through a long term lease of the property from the Johnson County Board of Supervisors and your approval of the application for CDBG and HOME funds. I hope that you will lend your support to the recommendation of your Housing and Community Development Commission. Many thanks for your consideration, Carol Spaziani ! Unlawful practices at One-Eyed Jake's From: James, Michael [michaet-james~uiowa.edu] Sent: Thursday, April 21, 2005 1:27 PM TO: council~iowa~ity.org; d-winkelhake~i°wa~i~'°rg Subject: Unlawful practices at One-Eyed Jake's Dear Chief ~nkelhake and Council members, As a member of the communi~ who wants to encourage a reasonable plan for responsible drinking in Iowa City, I feel compelled to bring the practices of the employees of One-Eyed Jake's to your attention. I am a patron of downtown businesses including the bars. It is my feeling that most establishments are making a good effoA to have responsible policies regarding minors. However, Jake's is definitely an exception. ~thin the last week, I personally witnessed a bouncer offer entrance and an "oFage" stamp to an underage girl with a fake I.D. in return for extra cover charge. He knew it was a fake, but for a couple of e~ra bucks he didn't ~re. I am sure this is not an uncommon occurrence at Jake's, as I have seen many people that I know to be underage binge drinking there. The permissive policies there have caused it to become a haven for minors who want to drink without opposition from bar staff. It is commonplace to find kids in the Jake's bathrooms vomiting from excessive drinking. The bouncers at Jake's are notorious for their indifference to, and even facilitation of underage drinking. I have seen the bouncers themselves to be apparently drunk and belligerent while on the job. I'm sure you agree that this does not constitute a healthy environment for young people in Iowa City. You wouldn't want your children there. As I said, Jake's is an exception to the overall good effo~ being made by Iowa Ci~ establishments to run respectable businesses. I urge you to hold the staff of Jake's accountable and to remedy the problem there by whatever means necessa~. Sincerely, Michael James 4/22/2005 Unlawful practices at One-Eyed Jake's Marian Karr From: James, Michael [michaePjames@uiowa.edu] Sent: Thursday, April 21, 2005 1:27 PM To: council@iowa-city.org; ri-win kelhake@iowa-city.org Subject: Unlawful practices at One-Eyed Jake's Dear Chief Winkelhake and Council members, As a member of the community who wants to encourage a reasonable plan for responsible drinking in Iowa City, I feel compelled to bring the practices of the employees of One-Eyed Jake's to your attention. I am a patron of downtown businesses including the bars. It is my feeling that most establishments are making a good effort to have responsible policies regarding minors. However, Jake's is definitely an exception. Within the last week, I personally witnessed a bouncer offer entrance and an "of-age" stamp to an underage girl with a fake I.D. in return for extra cover charge. He knew it was a fake, but for a couple of extra bucks he didn't care. I am sure this is not an uncommon occurrence at Jake's, as I have seen many people that I know to be underage binge drinking there. The permissive policies there have caused it to become a haven for minors who want to drink without opposition from bar staff. It is commonplace to find kids in the Jake's bathrooms vomiting from excessive drinking. The bouncers at Jake's are notorious for their indifference to, and even facilitation of underage drinking. I have seen the bouncers themselves to be apparently drunk and belligerent while on the job. I'm sure you agree that this does not constitute a healthy environment for young people in Iowa City. You wouldn't want your children there. As I sa'd, Jake s is an exception to the overall good effort being made by Iowa City establishments to run respectable businesses. I urge you to hold the staff of Jake's accountable and to remedy the problem there by whatever means necessary. Sincerely, Michael James 4/22/2005 Marian Karr ~ From: mnorbeck@netzero.com Sent: Friday, April 22, 2005 11:41 AM To: cou ncil@iowa-city.org Subject: 300 Block S. Gilbert - Clark Apts? Dear Council Members, I am writing in response to an front page article in Friday's (4/22) Press-Citizen. Mr. Clark is planning to demolish most of the three hundred block of South Gilbert to put in retail/apartment units. I am solidly opposed to this proposal. First, the existing retail on this block has a lot of character and history in Iowa City. Sam's Pizza is practically a landmark. Downtown Iowa City is thriving in large part because of its great character and many great buildings with strong public character. We should preserve our local architecture. Second, I would like to note that Mr. Clark can't even rent the retail he has, notably, the retail across from Trinity Church on East College. These stores are hard to see and hard to.access. Third, Mr. Clark is known for building iow-quality, iow-cost, visually bland buildings. Downtown buildings frame the character of our community. A builder's obligation to public life should be a serious endeavor, not a selfish short-term venture. I am an Iowa City native. I strongly support efforts to sustain our history and foster diversity downtown. Based on Mr. Clark's previous buildings, there is little evidence to imply that Mr. Clark supports these goals. I urge you to oppose this development. Thank you, Martha Norbeck 1412 E Court Street Iowa City, Iowa 52245 Page 1 of 1 Marian Karr From: Brian Ray [brianrisu@hotmail.com] Sent: Sunday, April 24, 2005 11:19 PM To: council@iowa-city.org Subject: 300 Block South Gilbert Dear Council Members, I am writing in response to Friday's (4/22/05) Press Citizen front page article concerning the demolition of most of the 300 block of South Gilbert. I am in firm opposition to this proposal. I moved to Iowa City after graduating from college nearly three years ago. I work downtown and I support our local businesses and the businesses that choose to locate downtown. Downtown Iowa City has character and unique qualities, from business diversity to the diversity in it's architecture which are important in defining Iowa City. We should not be so ready and so eager to demolish the very building stock that helps bring Iowa City it's charm, it's character, and it's richness and replace it with the common everyday developer building. I would like the council to note that Mr. Clark's current mixed use buildings have a high vacancy rate for its commercial spaces. The risk of closing three downtown established businesses with only the hopes of them relocating or staying downtown is too high. Downtowns are meant to be rich and diverse both culturally and architecturally. I ask that you do not support another developer building of brick, vinyl, and asphalt shingles that can be found in a suburb and by earlier works, will be what is provided. This is not what our downtown should be. Iowa City should strive for quality architecture pieces in the down town area, anything else is a disservice to the public and is only a benefit to the developer. Brian Warthen 4/25/2005 Marian Karr ~ From: Richard Tetrault [artetrault@mchsi.com] Sent: Monday, April 25, 2005 7:51 PM To: Iowa City Council Subject: Mental Health Housing RE: Johnson County Permanent Supportive Housing for Persons with Special Needs. Greetings, I am so pleased to learn that you are considering housing for the mentally iii. I have a special interest in this issue as I have a mentally ill son. I am sure that you all know, the need is very real. Thanks for addressing this very important project. To all on the Board....have a bright, beautiful 'sunshinny' day. Richard 4/26/2005 Marian Karr From: Kathryn Johansen Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2005 10:31 AM To: 'EZ' Cc: *City Council Subject: RE: Subsidized housing Dear Elias: Thank you for your e-mail message to the City Council. Council members do not receive their e-mails directly and your message will be forwarded to them as official correspondence. If you wish to communicate with Council members, please contact them individually. Council member names and phone numbers are listed on our City website. Go to www.icgov.org. Click the blue link for Departments then select City Council. Thank you for writing. Sincerely, Kathi Johansen Administrative Assistant to the City Manager ..... Original Message ..... From: EZ [mailto:elzahari@avalon.net] Sent: Tuesday, April 26, 2005 4:17 PM To: council@iowa-city.org Subject: Subsidized housing Elias Zaharias 3322 Tulane Ave Iowa City, Iowa 52245 April 24, 2005 The following letter was emailed to the city government in 2003 but its message is as valid as it was at that time and as important to redistribute it to members of the government of Iowa City who continue to support the level of subsidized housing presently in force in its domain. The 2003 text is followed by recent comments on the same subject along with references to the fashionable notions of diversity and immigration as these issues are interrelated. N]Elias Zaharias 3322 Tulane Ave Iowa City, Iowa 52245 June 9, 2003 I have been involved with civic activism in this town for over 25 years, often concentrating my efforts in environmental issues. In recent years my attention has been focused on a brewing social problem created by decisions from naive and idealistic members of the city government officials involving taxpayer supported housing in Iowa City. For a long time I have protested and criticized the unreasonable volume of subsidized housing i~ Iowa City and predicted undesirable consequences because of the particular class of people from out of State that flock in large numbers to this town to take advantage of the generous housing handouts. If you have forgotten the gang related crimes, shootings, robberies and even arson causing death (Cross Park apartments) of the mid to late nineties then pay attention to the recent string of robberies committed by black males in our streets. I have lived in Iowa City since 1969 and only encoun.tered aggressive behavior towards me (after I objected to obscenities and racial remarks shouted by a black male inside the Hy Vee store at First and Muscatine) or observed drug dealings (from black and mixed race males, at the Kmart store entrance, close to Cross Park Ave) only in the last few years. The Broadway/Scott Park region is turning in to an area that resembles an inner-city housing project. The recent carjacking attempt in that part of town corroborates my claim. According to my observations, a typical scenario that has repeated its self many times in bigger cities, is taking place right here in our town; simply, residents of neighborhoods If like tenants in apartments along the Broadway/Cross Park streets I] are moving out because a certain ethnic group of people are moving in those neighborhoods. I feel sympathy for the owners of homes who live in proximity to the Broadway/Cross Park Ave part of town. These neighbors expressed their dismay to the city over the deteriorating civility and increase of crime in their area years ago but it appears that little was done to address those concerns, say, like eliminating all apartment rental subsidies in that section of town and elsewhere. By the way, that is not the only part in town where disconcerting ~people exchange[7 trends are apparent. How dare you consider reducing the police force under such circumstances? What did you do with the funds generated by the considerable property tax increases in recent years? How dare you consider a larger homeless shelter since such housing for certain will contribute to the increase of irresponsible (the Uno blameN, ~bad luck, 1 attributes do not fly with me) people from out of town or the State streaming in? Even though I was not born here I am well aware of how easily and rapidly good neighborhoods and communities in USA can turn in to undesirable places to live, if just a few bad apples moved in starting the process of decline. The lack of open vigorous reaction and defense by the affected citizensilwho prefer to move out than fight C is a major reason for such negative social change but that is another subject of cultural interest and one of many I will write about in the future. I should note here that I grew up poor in a large port city of a Southern European country amidst thousands of families mostly of similar status (largely composed of battered, war- wary victims of the Nazi occupation) and although some petty crime was present, it was still a safe place to live. It is also worth noting that the relatively recent settling of hundreds of thousands of refugees mainly from Albania (the only ~Muslim country[I in Europe) but also from Romania and North Africa in the Capital of that southern European country, has sprung conditions in parts of that City reminiscent of I~bad~ areas often present in big and even medium size cities in the USA. Naturally, resentment from the affected citizens is very high and friction unavoidable. These common in Europe today undesirable conditions are created by the influx of immigrants from different religious and ethnic backgrounds, and prove that too much diversity is a stupid idea. Your simplistic and shortsighted views reflect fashionable trends and notions, but new ideas often contain faults and ignore the important dimensions of logic and objectivity. As a result you have created a social liability in Iowa City. As an assistant to the Johnson county attorney, s office said in a relevant report in the Daily Iowan in 2/20/02 referring to [~outsidersh] crowding the human services, If What are they bringing and what are they taking?iii ~The families we are getting&the needs are high[ii. It appears that people who move to Iowa City from other states looking for handouts in housing are not contributing much, if anything, to the welfare of our city. Actually, these people have a negative social impact in our townCs way of life. By the way, Mr. Lehman, where did you read that Iowa City was rated as '~ number one place to live?If The AARP magazine in May-June 2000 recommends IC as a good place, along with 50 other, to senior citizens partly because of the available extensive medical facilities and the opportunities created by the presence of the University. The May/June 2003 edition lists IC as one of 15 places for ~baby boomers~ to consider moving to for roughly the same incentives and the relative safety of its streets {a doubtful virtue today). I wander if the rating researchers were aware of the deteriorating quality of life in this town. Please let me know where you found Iowa City listed as ~number one[]. Mayor Guilliani clamped down on New York CitySs escalating social disintegration by embracing the truth rather than dwell in ineffective sentimental approach and allow further breakdown. New Yorklls woes were the result of the unrealistic liberal ideas and policies that proved flawed but are still fashionable in our country today. Iowa City may need his expertise in a few years, or may need me to run for office. If you labeled me as conservative in mentality you have made a mistake. I am an unbounded by common conventions thinker, and derive most of my means for reasoning from the cold laws of nature and not from self-serving misconceptions conjured up by humans. 2 If my frank lines are shocking that©s too bad. I am outspoken because I practice the principle of truthfulness, despise deception, and am aware of the reliability shortcomings from the prevailing but excessive and undue application of political correctness fi a form of restriction that tends to obscure reality and stifles free speech. If the present political creed and ideology continues in Iowa City, so will the deterioration of the safety level in its streets. The recent injuries to police officers caused by an unruly black male adds to the series of crimes experienced in this town and should not pass unnoticed. Pull your heads out of the sand! Acknowledgment of this communiqu6 to you is expected. Sincerely Elias ZahariasUi 4/24/05 comments Just in case you overlooked this data [! which is a very likely considering your shortsighted policies relating to your excessive enthusiasm about affordable housing in IC il here are a few negative examples related to the buzzword ~diversity½ and the influx of undesirable immigration. Twain school in Iowa City, is ~most diverse~ primary school and the only elementary in the district that failed to meet higher state standards in reading and math this year (ICPC 2/26/05). Civility and discipline has gradually degraded in some schools, including City high school (summary from comments made to me by teachers). London is now a highly []diverse city~ (40% foreign born or minorities). Do you think is a coincidence that this city 12nowil has the highest violent crime rate of any European capital? Franceils headaches with their Muslim population (9%! and rising) cannot be ignored as trivial matter. They tend to disobey the laws of the country and in many respects live the way they did in North Africa and Middle East were most came from. A friend in Athens, Greece, would like to move out of her apartment where she has lived for over 25 years. From what I know, refugees mainly from Albania (most are Muslims) have [itaken over[i that part of Athens with undesirable consequences. In Oslo, Norway, locals are moving out of an area being taken over by a so-called []diversifiedl! group of refugees and immigrants. (This data from friend in Norway). If you have not pondered the social and cultural degradation plight in Netherlands as being the direct result of the presence of large numbers of Muslim residents from North Africa and Middle East then it is about time you do. The naive and benevolent nature that generally characterizes people of Scandinavian ancestry is to be blamed for that country[ils profound predicaments today. The city of Deltona, Florida, has the distinction of being a [[Ihighly diverse:] community but violent crime is a problem and if you missed the news about the massacre there last summer you need to go online to get it. Since our local newspapers deliberately avoid identifying killers and victims by ethnic identity, the citizen who wants to be well informed has to fetch such information from the web. Ail is well with the fashion of diversity but only to a certain point and configuration. The town of Columbus Junction in Iowa had a diversity celebration last year. According to the Gazette newspaper dated 5/5/04 the Columbus Junction Latino population is about 40% and it was apparent that this festivity was geared to reflect that fact. That proportion sounds like a conquest rather than a balanced arrangement of population if we consider the fundamental cultural principles that founded this country, the origin of the people that 3 created them as well as the origin of the first people who settled the upper Midwest. Will loose the true concept of diversity if we declare Columbus Junction an ethnically Cdiverse townll. You surely have heard of the trouble in California but in todayOs overreaching lipolitically correct~] environment the ½fear of offending someone[] and as a result severely criticized or, even worse, get sued for Ilinsensitivity to non-whitesil, who dares to openly associate California[Ss economic and societal downfall with the fact that white people are now a minority race in that state? As examples, Los Angeles is now the murder capital of USA and the foundation of the health care system in CA is in crisis. I wander if you are capable of discerning the difference between Nsensible ] and [iunwise[i diversity. As far as I can tell from the printed news and my own assessment many people in personal trouble and need of assistance in Iowa City are African Americans, often single mothers. That is interesting since Asians are the largest minority group in Johnson County and that fact may still be true for Iowa City. I have been a devoted and very involved in local issues citizen for decades, particularly in the preservation of natural areas during housing development, and I have observed a gradual deterioration of this town!Is civility in the streets and other public places, and even in grocery and department stores. It is time to choose what residents you like to keep. If you prefer to harbor a large number transients and other people who donllt really care about Iowa City but just want to take advantage of the lucrative offers to them available here while contributing to its degradation then my plan to continue living in this town after retirement within a few years will be negated. You must drop the actions to implement the ~scattered housing plan[i and instead move towards reducing the volume of the present government financed housing in Iowa City. You have already done plenty of damage to useful citizens in our town by your aggressively liberal and simple-minded subsidized housing policies, and now you ask for a new larger home shelter to accommodate the results of your mistakes. That is unacceptable and so is your persistence to dwell in common illusions about the nature of [iequality~] and social justice. Please personally acknowledge receipt of this letter. Elias Zaharias Page 1 of 1 Marian Kart From: noriverboat@aol.com Sent: Friday, April 29, 2005 12:28 PM To: council@iowa-city.org; jschnake@ci.coralville.ia.us; HCH319@aol.com; jweihe@ci.coralville.ia.us; tgill@ci.coralvilie.ia.us; jlundell@ci.coralville.ia, us Cc: khayworth@ci.coralville.ia.us; jfausett@ci.coralville.ia.us; steve-atkins@iowa-city.org Subject: Assistance with the Casino Issue Dear Council Members, On May 5, the general public will be allowed to speak to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission about the issuance of licenses for more casinos. We believe that a casino located in Riverside would be detrimental to the business community and the social health of Johnson County. We plan to present to them a Powerpoint Presentation about our feelings'The citizens of Johnson County are the targeted market for this casino. Initial marketing led the casino owners to believe that no vote in Johnson County would ever allow a casino to be placed here. Instead, they chose a site just across the county line in Washington County. Your voters never had a chance to voice their opinion on the matter although they will be affected greatly by it. We are respectfully asking for your support next Wednesday. A letter to the IRGC indicating that the leaders of Johnson County reject the casino application would be enough to push the IRGC to reject Washington County's planned casino application. Your cities have only one last chance to speak on the matter. Any help would be appreciated. I can be contacted anytime by phone or pager if you have any questions. Thank you, Brad Franzwa Chairman of CARE (Communities Against Riverboat Expansion) 1590 Mink Circle North Liberty, IA 52317 Phone 319-865-2095 (eves) Phone 319-353-6689 (days) Pager 1-888-354-9807 Cell 319-330-8137 4/29/2005 Marian Karr From: mary-malloy@uiowa.ed u Sent: Monday, May 02, 2005 7:19 PM To: council@iowa-city.org Subject: Information about Section 8 Council members - I am a 21 year old student at the university, majoring in journalism. I wrote a story for one of my writing classes on homelessness in the city and interviewed a Ms. Chris~ Canganelli. In our interview, Ms. Canganelli made several refernces to "Section and processes involving it which could help people in shelters recieve housing vouchers. I understand this process can span over a few years. However, Section 8's specific function and what it is was never made clear to me, after a few attempts to understand it. A fellow classmate gave me Mr. Bob Elliot's name and directed me to the Council for help on this. I would like to know specifically what Section 8 is, what its function is, and how it involves allowing homeless citizens to recieve vouchers for housing. I would be extremely appreciative of anyone who could help me with this information and clearing it up. The re-write for this assignment is due Friday May 6th. If I could have any reply by ASAP, the latest being Thursday May 5th, I would be most grateful. Thank you very much in advance for any assisstance you may provide. I may be reached by email (mary-malloy@uiowa.edu) or telephone days & evenings (515-321- 5825). Best, Meghan V. Malloy School of Journalism & Mass Communications mary-malloy@uiowa.edu 515.321.5825 L~ ~-1) Page 1 of 2 Marian Karr From: Steven Rackis Sent: Tuesday, May 03, 2005 11:16 AM To: Dale Helling Cc: Marian Karr; Kathryn Johansen Subject: FW: Overview of the Iowa City Housing Authority Good morning Dale! I called Ms. Malloy, but she was just starting a class. I have provided the following preliminary information and will determine what additional information she requires to complete her assignment. From: Steven Rackis Sent: Tuesday, May 03, 2005 11:12 AM To: 'mary-malloy@ uiowa.ed u' Subject: Overview of the Iowa City Housing Authority Our website is: www.icgov.org/[cha Attached is the cover memo regarding our HUD required 5-Year and Annual Plan. In short: The Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV) is funded by the U.S. Department Housing and Urban Development (HUD) with the intent of increasing affordable housing choices for low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Families with a HCV voucher choose and lease safe, decent, and affordable privately owned rental housing. All participants must be income eligible and have no incidents of violent or drug related criminal activity for the past five (5) years. It is the responsibility of a family to find a unit that meets their needs. If the family finds a unit that meets the housing quality standards, the rent is reasonable, and the unit meets other program requirements, the Iowa City Housing Authority executes a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract with the property owner. This contract authorizes the ICHA to make subsidy payments on behalf of the family. If the family moves out of the unit, the contract with the owner ends and the family can move with continued assistance to another unit. Maximum rent for a unit is determined through a calculation based on HUD payment standards and family income. Generally, participants pay 30% of their monthly income toward their rent. Number of available vouchers for the Iowa City Housing Authority jurisdiction (Johnson County, Iowa; Parts of Iowa and Washington counties) = 1,213. The date and time of application will be utilized to determine the admission sequence for all applicants including special admission within the City Council approved local preferences (24 CFR 982.207) The lowa City Housing Authority will select families based on the following preference**: A. Displaced: Individuals or families displaced by government action or whose dwelling has been extensively damaged or destroyed as a result of a disaster declared or otherwise formally recognized pursuant to federal disaster relief laws. B. Families with children 18 and under or elderly or disabled families; C. Families with no children under 18 years of age; ** Exception may be given to the following: 5/3/2005 Page 2 of 2 · Families referred by the Department of Human Services (DHS) for the Family Unification Program. · Families referred by the Mid Eastern Council on Chemical Abuse (MECCA). · Public housing tenants who have resided in their Public Housing unit longer than I year and whose total tenant payment is higher than $499 (See Section 19 Homeownership). 5/3/2005 [ , Phone: (319) 356.5300 'IDD: (~19) 356'5404 UTHDRITYI 410 E. Washington Steer · Iou,a Ci~ . Iowa . 52240.1826 DATE: 5/3/2005 TO: City Council FROM: Steven J. Rackis, Administrator, Iowa City Housing Authority ~: Summaw of The Iowa City Housing Authority Streamlined 5-Year Plan for Fiscal Years 2005 - 2009 and the ~ual Plan for Fiscal Year 2005 The Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998 (QWWRA) requires the Iowa City Authority (ICHA) to update Agency Plans. The Streamlined 5-Year Plan for Fiscal Years 2005 - 2009 Plan and Streamlined Annual Plan for Fiscal Year 2005 provides details about the agency's immediate and ongoing operations, program participants, programs and services, and the agency's strategy for handling operational concerns, residents' concerns, programs and services for the next 5 fiscal years. Copies of the plans are available in print in the ICHA Iowa City Housing Authority office and the internet via the e-documents section of the ICHA website: www.icgov.org/icha One major change in agency operations of note is the Housing Authority's initiative to expand partnerships with Law Enforcement Officials. The Housing Authority participated in the 5 week MATS 2005 training program for all law enforcement personnel in Johnson County, Iowa. Participants in the training represent: The City of Iowa City, The City of Coralville, The City of North Liberty, University Heights, and the Johnson County Sheriff's department. SUMMARY: 1. Funding: The United States Congress allocates funding and passes laws for all housing programs. The Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) role in the locally administered housing programs is to allocate money to the local housing authorities and to develop policy, regulations, and other guidance that interprets housing legislation. The Actual Funds Received FY04 Year End For Housing Assistance: Housing Choice Voucher Program >, Annual Contributions Contract (ACC) = $6,568,147 Public Housing Program )~ Rental income = $219,490 ~' Capital Funds Program (CFP) = $158,063 > Performance Funding System Operating Subsidy = $167,759 > Resident Opportunities Self-Sufficiency Grant = $55,641 Total Housing Authority Funds Received FY04 = $7,169,100 SRackis Page 1 5/3/2005 · Grant Funds Awarded FY05 & CY05 Public Housing ~ Capital Funds Program (CAP) = $188,422 > Operating Subsidy = $207,763 ~ Resident Opportunities Self-Sufficiency Grant = $83,333 Housing Choice Voucher Renewal >' Annual Contributions Contract = $6,372,592 > Family Self-Sufficiency Coordinator (FSS) = $63,000 > Homeownership Coordinator = $51,240 Total Housing Authority Grant Funds FY04 = $6,966,276 PILOT (Payment In Lieu Of Taxes) FY03 = $23,501 2. Analysis of Public Housing Units: Public housing was established to provide affordable, decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) distributes federal subsidies to the Iowa City Housing Authority (ICHA), which owns and manages the housing. The City of Iowa City owns eighty-eight (87) public housing units; the ICHA serves as the landlord and rents these units to eligible tenants. They are scattered throughout Iowa City and were constructed to conform and blend into the existing neighborhood architecture. Unit type Number of units: Single Family 38 Duplex/Zero Lot 37 Multi-Family 8 Row House 4 Public Housing Economic Impact for the City of Iowa City The 87 Public Housing units represent .005% of the total number of rental units in the City of Iowa City. The total rental income from our Public Housing properties = $219,490. The Housing Authority Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) for the Public Housing properties in FY04 was $23,501. > In FY04, the Housing Authority paid approximately $300,000 to private sector Iowa City contractors for the capital improvement, general maintenance, and repair of the Public Housing properties. SRackis Page 2 5/3/2005 3. Analysis of Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Units: The Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV) is funded by the U.S. Department Housing and Urban Development (HUD) with the intent of increasing affordable housing choices for low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Families with a HCV voucher choose and lease safe, decent, and affordable privately owned rental housing. All participants must be income eligible and have no incidents of violent or drug related criminal activity for the past five (5) years. Number of available vouchers = 1,213. HCV Economic Impact for the City of Iowa City: There are 15,873 rental units in the City of Iowa City. 820 of our Housing Choice Voucher Vouchers have City of Iowa City addresses. The 820 vouchers represent 5% of the total number of rental units in the City of Iowa City. ~ For FY04, the Housing Choice Voucher program paid approximately $3,869,694 of Housing Assistance Payments to landlords/owners of rental properties in the City of Iowa City. > An additional $1,905,969 was paid to landlord/owners of rental properties in 16 additional communities in our jurisdiction. 4. Promote Self-Sufficiency: The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program promotes self-sufficiency and asset development by providing supportive services to participants to increase their employability, to increase the number of employed participants, and encourage an increase in savings through an escrow savings program. For FY04, 160 households participated in the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program. Of these, approximately 80% have escrow accounts with an average monthly deposit of $200.00 and an average balance of $2,000.00. Ninety (90) graduates since the program inception (July 1999) reduces our original HUD mandated number of FSS graduates (83) to zero. Our FSS program enters FY 2005 as a completely voluntary program. Of our total graduates, 35 have moved to homeownership and most of the remaining 55 graduates have reached full rent or left housing permanently. For Fiscal Year 2004: · 160 households are currently participating in the Family Self-Sufficiency program. · Total Mandated Public Housing slots filled = 33 (100%). · Total Mandated Public Housing slots graduated = 33 (100%). · Current number of Public Housing Tenants enrolled = 31. · Total Mandated HCV slots filled = 50 (100%). · Total Mandated HCV slots graduated = 50 (100%). · Current number of HCV Tenants enrolled = 125. · 100% of our mandatory and voluntary slots are filled. · 60% have escrow accounts established. SRackis Page 3 5/3/2005 · Average monthly escrow deposit = $200. · Average escrow balance = $2,000. · Of our total FSS graduates, 39 have moved to homeownership (28 independent of ICHA programs; 7 through ICHA programs). · 9 clients received bikes through the ROSS Bike-to-Work program. · 35 families received cars from the Goodwill Industries of Southeast Iowa's Wheels- to-Work program. Resident Opportunity Self-Sufficiency (ROSS): Resident Opportunity Self-Sufficiency (ROSS) is a grant-funded program that provides participants with resources to improve their employment skills Xhrough job coaching and educational opportunities. The program also links clients to resources to meet such needs as child care, transportation, education and job training opportunities, employment, money management and other similar needs necessary to achieve economic independence and self-sufficiency. · The ROSS Program admits and graduates residents on an ongoing basis, with 163 referrals since June 2001. This number far surpasses the original grant goal of serving 130 residents over three years. · The original competitive grant awarded to the ICHA was $150,000 over 3-years (March 2001 - March 2004). This grant, in partnership with Goodwill Industries of Southeast Iowa, purchased the services of an Employment Specialist. · In March 2004, the ICItA again secured a competitive grant for $250,000 over the next 3-years (2004 - 2007). This grant will maintain the efforts of the Employment Specialist and will provide additional supportive service to aid clients in seeking and maintaining employment. For example, childcare start-up fees, car repairs, short-term education/training, licensure, etc. Through public/private partnerships, the grant will support seminars and workshops, such as FDIC Money Smart, homeownership preparation classes, etc. 5. Promote Homeownership Options: HCV Homeownership Program: The HCV Homeownership program permits eligible participants in the HCV Program, including participants with portable vouchers, the option of purchasing a home with their HCV assistance rather than renting. The homeownership option is limited to three percent (3%) of the total HCV program budgeted by the ICHA in any fiscal year, excluding disabled and elderly families. Eligible participants for the HCV Homeownership Program must have completed at minimum a one-year lease term with HCV rental assistance. They must not owe the ICHA or any other ICHA an outstanding debt and must meet the eligibility criteria set forth herein. HCV homeownership assistance payments may be used to purchase the following type of housing within Johnson County: new or existing single-family units, condominiums, cooperatives, lofts, and, or manufactured units. > Twelve (12) HCV Vouchers were used to purchase homes since January 2003. SRackis Page 4 5/3/2005 Tenant-to-Ownership Program (TOP): The Tenant-to-Ownership Program is funded by Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Tenant to Ownership Program offers an opportunity for low to very low-income families to purchase a single-family house owned by the ICHA. > Nineteen (19) homes sold and three (3) resold since May 1998. As of March 25, 2005, One (1) sale is pending. Affordable Dream Home Ownership Program (ADHOP): The Affordable Dream Home Ownership Program operated, managed and funded solely by the ICHA. It offers an opportunity for income eligible families to purchase newly constructed or newer homes. ~ Seven (7) homes (one a "Universal Design" home) built and sold since May 1999. Homeownership Totals: The combined efforts of the ICHA Self-Sufficiency and Homeownership programs, May 1998 - Present, resulted in a total of 68 participant families living in their own home. 6. ICHA Participant Characteristics. Definition of Participant (participant family): A person or family that has been admitted to the Iowa City Housing Authority's HCV or Public Housing program and is currently assisted in the program. ~' Family Characteristics (1,314 Total Families as of 9/30/2004)(Totals do not add up to 100% becaus~ indiv.iduals can be counted in multiple categories): a. Elderly, Disabled and Working Families = 91% b. Female Head of Household -- 72% c. White Head of Household = 69% d. Disabled or Elderly Families = 56% e. All Families with Minor Children = 54% f. Working Families = 51% g. African American Head of Household = 29% h. Disabled and/or Elderly and Working = 15% > Income Sources (All Family Members over the age of 18): a. Employment = 29% * b. Social Security (SS) = 22% c. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) = 17% d. Family Investment Program (FlP)(Welfare) = 9% e. Other Non-Wage Sources = 7% f. Child Support = 5% g. Pensions = 3% h. Income from self-employment = 1% i. Unemployment Insurance (UI) = 1% SRackis Page 5 5/3/2005 7. Comparative Analysis of Combined Housing Programs by Jurisdiction for December 1, 2002 through December 31, 2002 (United States, State of lowa, Iowa City Housing Authority [See Attachment C]. ICHA Participants: · Are more likely to have incomes <30% of the jurisdiction's Median Income than the United States and State of Iowa. · Have Average Annual Incomes below the United States, but above the State of Iowa. · Are more likely to report wages as a Source of Income than the United States and State o f Iowa. · Are less likely to report Welfare as a Source of Income than the United States and State o f Iowa. 8. When the ICHA Participants were admitted to the Housing Authority programs and where did they live? Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program: · 15% of HCV participants were admitted prior to 1998. · 23% of HCV participants were admitted from 1998 - 2000. · 70% of HCV participants were admitted prior to January 1, 2003. · 88% of HCV participants were Iowa residents prior to admission. · 6% were Illinois residents prior to admission. · 6% were residents of All Other States prior to admission. Public Housing Program: · 27% of Public Housing tenants were admitted prior to 1998. · 22% of Public Housing tenants were admitted from 1998 - 2000. · 76% of Public Housing tenants were admitted prior to January 1, 2003. · 77% of Public Housing tenants were Iowa residents prior to admission. · 6% were Illinois residents prior to admission. SRackis Page 6 5/3/2005 9. Employers with 6 or more ICHA participants on their payroll: University of Iowa 86 Goodwill Industries of SE Iowa 59 NCS 29 Iowa City Community School District 20 Staff Management 19 Hy-Vee 16 Access Direct 13 DHS 12 MCI 11 System's Unlimited 11 Wal-Mart 11 Cambridge Tempositions Inc 9 McDonald's Restaurant 9 Mercy Hospital 9 Iowa City Rehabilitation & Health Care Center 8 Kelly Services 8 Reach For Your Potential 8 Westaff 8 Ch Robinson Company 7 Employment Systems 7 HACAP 7 Sheraton Hotel 7 City of Iowa City 6 Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon 6 Office Detailers 6 SRackis Page 7 5/3/2005 10. Housing Choice Voucher Contracts by Owner [10 or more vouchers] as of September 30, 2004: Owner # of # of Location (Primary Vouchers Available Address) Units Town & Campus Apartments 60 100 Arthur Street, Iowa City Greater Iowa City Housing Fellowship 51 63 Iowa City & Coralville Coralville Housing Associates 48 102 Coralville Villa Garden Apartments 29 44 Crosspark Avenue, Iowa City KSA Investments 28 100 Keokuk Street, Iowa City Coronet Apartments 26 34 Broadway Street, Iowa City Concord Terrace 22 30 Shannon Drive, Iowa City Penn Oaks Condominiums 21 3 $ North Liberty Pennigroth Apartments 21 38 Wayne Avenue/Dubuque Street, Iowa City Grandview Court Apartments 19 92 Grandview Court, Iowa City Regency Heights (1010 Building) 18 37 Scott Park Drive, Iowa City JAI RAM 18 28 Coralville Lexington Place Apartments 17 30 Shannon Drive, Iowa City Eastern Iowa Properties Ltd. 17 40 Coralville, Iowa City Regency Heights (1060 Building) 17 38 Scott Park Drive, Iowa City Cedarwood Apartments 16 64 Broadway Street, Iowa City Liberty Housing Co. LLC. 14 30 North Liberty Lakeside Manor 14 400 HWY 6 East, Iowa City Hawkeye Community Action Program 14 18 Broadway Street, Iowa City D & S Enterprises 14 74 Iowa City & Coralville Saratoga Springs 12 12 Clearwater Court, Iowa City Terrace Apartments 12 24 Coralville Citizen Building Ltd. Partnership 11 18 E Washington Street, Iowa City Lynch, Lawrence 11 21 Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty MECCA 11 12 Southgate Avenue, Iowa City Systems Unlimited, Inc. 11 23 Iowa City SRackis Page 8 5/3/2005 11. Housing Needs of Families on the ICHA's Waiting Lists 9/30/2004 Waiting list type: (select one) [] Section 8 tenant-based assistance [] Public Housing [] Combined Section 8 and Public Housing [] Public Housing Site-Based or sub-jurisdictional waiting list (optional) If used, identify which development/subjurisdiction: # of families % of total families Annual Turnover Waiting list total 3,109 Extremely low income 2252 72% Very (>30% low butinc°me <=50% 56 2% Low income(>50% but <80% AMI) 258 9% Families with children 2118 68% Elderly families 147 5% Disabilities Families with 960 310/0 Race/ethnicity-Black 1845 59% Race/ethnicity-White 1148 37% Race/ethnicity-Asian 32 1% Race/ethnicity-All 32 1% Other Characteristics by Bedroom Size 1BR 1,131 36% 2 BR 1,125 36% 3 BR 694 22% 4 BR 155 5% 5 BR 5+ BR 30 1% Is the waiting list closed (select one)? [5~ No [] Yes If yes: How long has it been closed (# of months)? Does the ICHA expect to reopen the list in the ICHA Plan year? [-] No [] Yes Does the ICHA permit specific categories of families onto the waiting list, even if generally closed? [] No [] Yes SRackis Page 9 5/3/2005 12. More detailed analysis of applicants on the ICHA HCV Waiting List. Definition of Applicant (applicant family): A person or family that has applied for admission to the Iowa Housing Authority's Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) or Public Housing program but is not yet a participant in the program. a. When did families make applications to the ICHA HCV waiting lists and where do they live? · From 1998 - June 30, 2004, the ICHA processed/received a total of 5,872 applications for HCV assistance. · As of June 30, 2004, the total active applicant pool = 1,667. · 72% of the total applicants were Iowa residents at the time of application. · 24% of the total applicants were Illinois residents at the time of application. · 3% of the total applicants were residents of All Other States at the time of application. · 66% of the total Illinois applicants applied after January 1, 2003. · 39% of the active applicants applied January- June 2004. · 59% of the active applicants applied in 2003.' · 1% of the active applicants applied in 2002. · 54% of the active applicants live in Iowa. · 41% of the active applicants live in Illinois. · 5% of the active applicants live in All Other States. b. Why are 4,205 applicants inactive? · 1,057 (25%) did not respond to the ICHA's January 20, 2004, wait list update letter. · 1,049 (25%) are either housed or in the process of being housed. 947 (23%) did not respond or did not return information to the ICHA (i.e., the family did not maintain a correct address with the ICHA). · 721 (17%) were ineligible for assistance (primarily for violent or drug related criminal activity within the last 5 years). · 306 (32%) their voucher expired (vouchers are issued for 120 days and may be extended as a reasonable accommodation). · 125 (3%) declined assistance. SRackis Page 10 5/3/2005 A_ RANDUM Date: April 26, 2005 To: City Clerk ,,f From: Anissa Williams, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner 0 Re: Item for May 3, 2005 City Council meeting: Changing of NO PARKING 8 AM - 5 PM MON - FRI signs on the south side of Oakcrest Street between Sunset Street and George Street to NO PARKING 10 AM - 4 PM MON - FRI As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3B of the City Code,.this is to advise the City Council of the following action. Action: Pursuant to Section 9-1~3A(10), changing of NO PARKING 8 AM - 5 PM MON - FRI signs on the south side of Oakcrest Street between Sunset Street and George Street to NO PARKING 10 AM - 4 PM MON - FRI. Comment: This action is being taken as a result of a neighborhood re-survey indicating a majority of the residents would like the signs changed. This item will replace the item and comment on the April 5, 2005 meeting consent calendar. See attached staff memo for additional information. jccogtp/mem/aw-oakcrestpkg5-3.doc ~_.~.~..~,~,~,.. Ci I 0 W A C I T Y RANDUM To: City Clerk From: Anissa Williams :COG Traffic Engineering Planner Re: Item for April 5, Council meeting: NO PARKING 8 AM - 5 PM MON - FRI signs on south side of Oakcrest between Sunset Street and George Street As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, 3B of the this is to advise the City Council of the following action. Action: Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A(10), removal of NO ~,KING 8 AM - 5 PM MON- FRI signs on the south side of Oakcrest Street between t and George Street. Comment: .x. This action is being taken as a resul a neighborh~X~d survey indicating a majority of the residents would like the signs rem~ There is not significant safety issue with parked vehicles on this street. See attache = memo for additional information. mgr/agd/aw-oakcrest.doc