HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-10-06 Info Packet I -
~ CiTY COUNCIL INFORMATION PACKET
CITY OF IOW2~ C__.ITY
www. icgov.org October 6, 2005
I MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
IP1 Tentative Future Council Meetings and Work Session Agendas
IP2 Memorandum from Council Member Vanderhoef: National League of Cities Committees
IP3 EClCOG Meeting September 29, 2005 [submitted by Mayor Pro tem Wilburn]
IP4 Memorandum from the Director of Finance to the City Manager: Fiber Extension to Court
St. Transportation Center, Dubuque St. and Capitol Ramps
IP5 Memorandum from the Community and Economic Development Coordinator: New Market
Tax Credit Program
IP6 Building Permit Information - September 2005
IP7 Fiscal Year 2005 Annual Report of Boards, Commissions, and Committees
IP8 Minutes: Johnson County Paratransit Advisory Board July 8, 2005 [submitted by Council
member Vanderhoef]
IP9 Minutes Approved: Scattered Site Housing Task Force: April 25, 2005
I PRELIMINARY/DRAFT MINUTES
IP10 Planning and Zoning Commission: September 15, 2005
IPll Historic Preservation Commission: September 22, 2005
IP12 Board of Adjustment: September 14, 2005
J = L
~. I '°'°6'°~I
~ City Council Meeting Schedule and IP1
CITY OF IOWA CITY Work Session Agendas Oc,ober 6, 2005
www.icgov.org
TENTATIVE FUTURE MEETINGS AND AGENDAS I
· MONDAY, OCTOBER 10 Emma J. Harvat Hall
7:00p Special Formal (zoning code)
Separate Agenda Posted
· MONDAY, OCTOBER 17 Emma J. Harvat Hall
5:00p Council Work Session
· TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18 Emma J. HarvatHall
7:00p Regular Formal Council Meeting
· WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26 North Liberty
TBA Joint Meeting
· MONDAY, OCTOBER 31 Emma J. Harvat Hall
2:00p- 5:00p Work Session (Special time)
· TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1 Emma J. Hah/at Hall
7:00p Regular Formal Council Meeting
· MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7 Emma J. Harvat Hall
TBA Special Work session or Formal (zoning code)
· MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14 Emma J. Harvat Hall
6:30p Council Work Session
· TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15 Emma J. Harvat Hall
7:00p Regular Formal Council Meeting
· TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29* Emma J. Harvat Hall
TBA Possible goal setting 2005~2006 City Councils
· SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3 Emma J. Harvat Hall
A.M. Meeting with area Legislators
· MONDAY, DECEMBER 12 Emma J. Harvat Hall 6:30p Special Work Session
· TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13 Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:00p Special Formal Council Meeting
* Date not confirmed
DATE: October 6, 2005
TO: City Council Members
FROM: Dee Vanderhoef, Council Member
RE: National League of Cities Committees
Attached is a list of National League of Cities (NLC) Committees, Panels, and Councils
and a 2006 application. All applications are due November 14, 2005. In addition to
sending the al~plication to the NLC office, I ask that a copy also be sent to Tom
Bredeweg in the Iowa League office. City Clerk Karr can assist you with the
submissions.
2006 Application for
NLC Committees, Panels, and Councils
This application is for all of N-LC's committees, panels, and councils, including policy and advocacy
steering committees. You must complete a separate application for each committee for which you are
applying. A list of all NLC committees, panels, and councils is attached to this application.
Due November 14~ 2005
Ail committee candidates must be from NLC member cities.
Application submitted by:
I am interested in being considered for appointment to the CityFutures Panel on Public
Finance
Current Elected City Office:
Expiration Date of Current Term (month/year):
Do you plan to run again if your term expires before January 1, 2007? Yes No
Circle one in each category below:
Party Affiliation: Democrat Republican Non-Partisan Other
Gender: Male Female
Ethnicity: White African-American Hispanic Asian/Pacificlslander American Indian Other
Profession: ,
City Population:
Preferred Mailing Address:
City/Town: State: Zip:.
Phone:( ) Fax: (. )
E-mail:
Congressional District:
Please attach a biographical statement with information specifically related to service on
the committee for which you am applying.
Retum this completed application with the biographical statement to:
Valerie Van Etten
1301 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. · Washington, D.C. 20004
Telephone: (202)626-3010 Fax: (202)626-3043 E-mail: vanetten~nlc.org
Application is due on November 14, 2005
NLC COMMITTEES, PANELS, AND COUNCILS
NLC First Vice President Jim Hunt will appoint chairs and vice chairs for each of the following standing
committees, panels, arm councils in 2006. Members will be notified of their selection in mid-November.
Appointments will be announced AFTER Councilmember Hunt is elected NLC President on Saturday,
December 10, 2005. For farther information on each group, please contact the staff listed below.
POLICY AND ADVOCACY COMMITTEES
Staff contact: Katherine Bates, Policy Manager, bates~nlc, org or (202) 626-3027
Community and Economic Development (CED)
Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources (EENR)
Finance, Administration, and Intergovernmental Relations (FAIR)
Human Development (HD)
Information Technology and Communications (ITC)
Public Safety and Crime Prevention (PSCP)
Transportation Infrastructure and Services (TIS)
MEMBER NETWORKING COUNCILS
Staff Contact: Cathy Spain, Director, Member Programs, spain@jdc, org or (202) 626-3018
Central Cities Council
First Tier Suburbs Council
Small Cities Council
CITYFUTURES PANELS
Staff Contact: Chris Hoene, Manager, Research and CityFutures Program, hoene@~nlc, org or
(202) 626-3172
Community and Regional Development
Democratic Governance
Equity and Opportunity
Public Finance
OTHER NLC ADVISORY GROUPS
Congress of Cities Program Committee
Staff Contact: Janice Pauline, Director, Conference and Seminar Management,
pauline@~lc, org, (202) 626-3102
Council on Youth, Education, and Families
Staff Contact: Clifford Johnson, Executive Director, Institute for Youth, Education, and
Families, cjohnson@jdc, org, (202) 626-3013
International Council
Staff Contact: dim Brooks, Manager, International Programs, brooks@jdc, org, (202)
626-3163
Leadership Training Council
Staff Contact: Dwight Horkheimer, Manager, Leadership Training Institute,
horkheimer@~lc, org, (202) 626-3127
ECl
Ea, Sl CENIRA[ IOWA I P3
COU. NCIL OF GOVERNMENTS ·
YOUR REGIONAL PLANNING AGENCY
MEMORANDUM
DATE: .September 21, 2005
TO: ECICOG Board of Directors
FROM: ~ Doug Elliott, Executive Director
SUBJECT~ Next Meeting- September 29, 2005 , , ..
~The EcICOG Board of Directors will meet on September 29, 2005, at 1:00 p.m., at the ECICOG
offices. An agenda for the meeting and minutes of the August 25th meeting are enclosed. Other
items are highlighted below:
Item 2.0 Routine..Matters: Financial statements for the month of August are enclosed.
Item 3.3 Director's Report: Due to a family medical issue,. I Will not be at the meeting next week. I
want to thank Chairperson Lu Barron for her understanding. Chad Sands will be assisting with the
meeting in my abs.ence. He will present the proposed ECICOG Strategic Plan, and I encourage you
to read through the document prior to the meeting.
I will be sending you separal[e email correspondence regarding the proposed rule changes for
EDA districts, which I spoke of at last month's meeting. I encourage you to re'view that information,
and to prov!de comment by the October 11, 2005, deadline.
The,audit of Fis~cal Year 2005 i's scheduled to begin on October 3.
Items 3.4-3.6Community Development, HoUsing;' and Transportation Staff Reports: Staff
reports are enclosed. .,"
Item 3.7 Solid Waste Staff Report: The board will be asked to take' action on two items: approving
the regional tire processing contract and amendihg the comprehen, sive solid waste management plan.
Information on both of these items is included in the report.
The report also gives brief mention to Jennifer Ryan's recent election to the board of directors of the
North American Hazardous Materials Management Association (NAHMMA), As you know,
Jennifer has been active in this organization for the last several years. To have been asked to mn for
the board by her peers was a measure of their esteem for Jennifer; to be elected is a true honor. This
did require that she travel at short notice to the annual conference in Tacoma, Washington, this
week; however, NAHMMA agreed to cover the majority of her expenses.
Items 5.1 Committee Reports: Minutes of the most recent SWTAC and' TOG meetings are
enclosed.
Please review the remainder of the enclosed materials, and contact us if you have questions before
the meeting on the 29th.
Enclosures
108 Third Street SE, Suite 300 Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401 319-365-9941 FAX 319-365-9981 www. ia.net/-ecicog
100% POST CONSUMER CONTENT
East Central Iowa Council of Governments Board Meeting Notice
1:00 P.M. September 29, 2005
East Central Iowa Council of Governments
108 Third Street SE, CedarRapids
TEL 365-9941 FAX 365-9981
pages
1.0 CALL TO ORDER
· 1 Recognition of Alternates
.2 Public Discussion
.3 Approval of Agenda
2.0 ROUTINE MATTERS
1-4 .1 Approval of Minutes (August 25, 2005)
5-7 .2 Budget Reports/Balance Sheets
3.0 AGENCY REPORTS
· 1 Chairperson's Report
~ Board Members' Reports
.3 Director's Report
· Agency Strategic Plan
8-9 .4 Community Development Report
10-12 .5 Housing Report
13 .6 Transportation Report
14-16 .7 Solid Waste Report
· Regional Tire Processing Contract
· Comprehensive Plan Amendment
4.0 COMMITTEE REPORTS
17-18 .1 Transit Operator's Group - information only
19-20 .2 Solid Waste Technical Advisory Committee - information only
5.0 OLD BUSINESS
· 1 Approval of Expenditures
6.0 NEW BUSINESS
· 1 November meeting date
7.0 NEXT MEETING: October 27, 2005 ~
ECICOG is the Region l O planning agency serving local governments in the countieshg/TBenton, Iowa, Johnson,
Jones, Linn, and Washington.
MINUTES
East Central Iowa Council of Governments
Board Meeting 1:00 p.m. - August 25, 2005
East Central Iowa Council of Governments
108 Third Street SE, Suite 300, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
MEMBERS PRESENT
Lu Barron-Linn County Supervisor
Ed Brown-Mayor of Washington
Gary Edwards-Iowa County Citizen
Don Gray-Mayor of Central City
Ross Wilburn-Iowa City City Council
Henry Herwig-Coralville City Council
Bill Daily-Benton County Citizen
Leo Cook-Jones County Supervisor
Dennis Hansen-Anamosa City Council
Linda Langston-Linn County Supervisor
David Vermedahl-Benton County Supervisor
Ed Raber- Washington County Citizen
Ann Hearn-Linn County Citizen
MEMBERS ABSENT
Don Magdefrau-Benton County Citizen
Charles Montross-Iowa County Supervisor
Wade Wagner-Cedar Rapids Commissioner
Randy Payne- Washington County Supervisor
Pat Harney-Johnson County Supervisor
Larry Wilson-Johnson County Citizen
Ric Gerard-Iowa County Supervisor
Vacancy-Jones County Citizen
ALTERNATES PRESENT - None
OTHER'S PRESENT
Jennifer Fischer-Jones County Economic Development Executive Director
Lolly Eggers- League of Women Voters of Johnson County
Carol Spaziani-League of Women Voters of Johnson County
STAFF PRESENT
Doug Elliott-Executive Director
Gina Peters-Administrative Assistant
Jennifer Ryan-Solid Waste Planner
Kristin Simon-Planner
Chad Sands-Planner
Eric Freese-Housing Specialist
Amy Peterson-Grant Administrator
Mary Rump- Transportation Planner
Lisa-Marie Garlich-Planner
1.0 CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson, Lu Barron at 1:05 p.m.
.1 Recognition of Alternates - None
.2 Public Discussion - None
.3 Approval of Agenda
M/S/C (Langston/Cook) to approve the agenda. All ayes.
2.0 ROUTINE MATTERS
.1 Approval of Minutes (June 29, 2005)
M/S/C (Hansen/Gray) to approve the minutes as written. All ayes.
.2 Preceding Month's Budget Reports/Balance Sheets
(Raberjoined the meeting at this time.)
Elliott gave an overview of the June financial statements.
M/S/C (Brown/Wilburn) to receive and file the June financial statements for audit. All ayes.
Elliott gave an overview of the July financial statements.
M/S/C (Wilbum/Raber) to receive and file the July financial statements for audit. All ayes.
3.0 AGENCY REPORTS
.1 Chairperson's Report - None
.2 Board Members' Report - None
.3 Director's Report
Elliott gave the board an update on the strategic plan. He said the. executive committee reviewed the plan in
July and agreed to have staff review and comment on the plan before the final draft is presented to the full
board. Staff met yesterday and reviewed the plan and a draft will be presented to the Board in September.
Elliott told the board he was leaving Friday to go to the NADO annual conference in Seattle and would be back
on Wednesday.
He said he included information on a revolving loan fund conference sponsored by IARC in the board packet.
(Hearn joined the meeting at this time.)
Barron presented Sands with an engraved clock for his ten-year anniversary at ECICOG.
.4 Community Development Report
Garlich handed out information on fuel tank videos from FEMA Publications Warehouse.
.5 Housing Report
Peterson told the board she received six requests to write CDBG applications. She said she would be attending
CDBG workshops next week.
.6 Transportation Report
Rump gave a summary of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act (SAFETEA-
LU), the recently approved $286 million transportation authorization bill. She said programming would be
similar to prior years and there should be no large increases in transit funding. [DOT, ISAC and the League of
Cities are planning a meeting in November. A new Safe to School Program, which encourages kids to walk to
school and get there safely, is being researched.
Jacobson, Rump and Elliott were at Washington County Mini Bus this morning talking to their Board about the
ITS project. Rump said the providers in Iowa, Benton and Jones will get the ITS software installed and the first
training session will be September 26-28.
.7 Solid Waste Report
Ryan gave an update on the Jones County School SWAP project.
Simon reported on the summer library reading program and passed around pictures and thank you notes from
various libraries.
4.0 COMMITTEE REPORTS
.1 Executive Committee
M/S/C (Vermedahl/Edwards) to approve the minutes of the July 28, 2005 meeting. All ayes.
.2 Solid Waste Technical Advisory Committee - information only
5.0 OLD BUSINESS
· 1 Approval of Expenditures
M/S/C (Cook/Herwig) to approve payment of expenditures. All ayes.
6.0 NEW BUSINESS - none
7.0 NEXT MEETING: September 29, 2005
The meeting adjourned at 1:45 p.m.
Gary Edwards, Secretary/Treasurer
September 29, 2005
Date
Eric Freese Grant Updates
Ext. 24
Lisa-Marie Garlich Federal Home Loan Bank Affordable Housing Program Grants
Ext. 33 Johnson County is applying for a Federal Home Loan Bank grant in October.
Amy Peterson
Ext. 21 CDBG Grants
The following communities will be applying for housing grants this year: North
Lisa Treharne Liberty, Coralville, Marion, Monticello, Belle Plaine, Washington, Fairfax,
Ext. 29 Weliman, and Olin
Upcoming Grant
Deadlines: I Housing Rehabilitation Projects I
Alliant Energy
10/1/05 Anamosa RehabilitaUon ]z. The City was awarded funds to rehabilitate 10
houses. Twelve homes are completed. Two homes are underway in the bidding
CAT process. The City should complete a total of 14 homes once the project is done.
10/1/05 Three homes were deemed ineligible.
Grant: $379,850 Local Match: $10,000 -I-~F Funds: $52,120 Source of Funds:
2006 Brownfield HUD/IDED Housing Fund
Redevelopment
Funding Anamosa RehabilitaUon :liT. The City was awarded funds to rehabilitate 10
houses. This activity is limited to households whose incomes are at or below the
10/14/05 50% median county income limits. Release of Funds date was August 25, 2005.
income and Historical Verifications are being completed. Applications are still
Alternate Energy being accepted.
Revolving Loan Fund Grant: $412,790 Local Match: (-I-/F Funds) $25,000 Source of Funds:
10/31/05 HUD/]:DED Housing Fund
CDBG Water/Sewer Brighton Rehabilitation. The City was awarded funds to rehabilitate 10
11/22/05 houses. Seven homes are complete, one is in construction, and two are in the
verification process.
Grant: $370,600 Local Match: $14,000 Source of Funds: HUD/IDED
CDBG Housing
12/7/05 Housing Fund
Lone Tree Rehabilitation. The City was awarded funds to rehabilitate 9
Upcoming houses. Seven homes are complete. One is under construction. One is in the
Workshops/ verification process.
Conferences: Grant: $320,312 Local Match: $8,000 Source of Funds: HUD/TDED
Wastewater Housing Fund
Construction Marion Rehabilitation. City of Marion was awarded funds to rehabilitate 10
Workshop affordable single-family, owner-occupied units. Three homes are completed.
10/11 or 12 Two homes are under construction. Two homes are being inspected. Three
homes are being income verified. Two applicants have had to drop out. 23
applications were received.
Land Acquisition Grant: $396,790 Local Match: $40,000 Source of Funds: HUD/~[DED
Design Course Housing Fund
10/12-13/05
/
ECICOG Housing Report August 2005 Page 2 of 2
Martelle Rehabilitation. The City was awarded funds to rehabilitate 8 houses. Nine homes are
completed. Close-out has ended. Two homes were deemed ineligible.
Grant: $307,986 Local Match: $8,000 Source of Funds: HUD/IDED Housing Fund
Olin Rehabilitation. The City was awarded funds to rehabilitate 10 houses. The City had additional
funds to complete thirteen homes. All thirteen homes are completed. Close-Out will commence soon.
Eight homes have been deemed ineligible.
Grant: $379,850 Local Match: $10,000 Source of Funds: HUD/TDED Housing Fund
Wellman Rehabilitation. The City was awarded funds to rehabilitate 10 houses. All ten homes are
complete. 11th home is completed. Additional funds were left to do one more home. Two homes were
deemed to be infeasible. The other applicants are on a waiting list.
Grant: $379,850 Local Match: $17,000 Source of Funds: HUD/IDED Housing Fund
Solon Rehabilitation. The City was awarded funds to rehabilitate 8 houses. The City has taken
applications and they have been ranked. Qualified applicants will be handled 3 at a time, with
rehabilitation work starting the first of November. Completed applications are still being accepted for the
program.
Grant: $288,295 Local Match: $20,902 Source of Funds: HUD/IDED Housing Fund
I Federal Home Loan Bank
Projects
3ohnson County Federal Home Loan Bank III. ECICOG received a third round of funds on behalf of
the 3ohnson County Housing Task Force for the rehabilitation of 20 homes. Seventeen have been
completed and three are waiting on bids. '
Grant: $107,500 Local Match: $101,820 Source of Funds: Federal Home Loan Bank
Washington County Federal Home Loan Bank I. ECICOG received funds on behalf of Washington
County to assist 10 homes. There are 9 homes that have been completed and ! that is in the
construction phase.
Grant: $53,750 Local Match: $50,910 Source of Funds: Federal Home Loan Bank
3ones County Federal Home Loan Bank. EC[COG received funds on behalf of 3ones County to assist
10 homes. ApplicaUons are being accepted and processed. One home is completed, one is under
construction and we have seven other applicants at various stages in the program.
Grant: $55,000 Local Match: $50,000 Source of Funds: Federal Home Loan Bank
IFlood Buy Out Projects
Marion Flood Buy-Out. The City was awarded funds to acquire and demolish three homes flooded by
the 3une 04, 2002 rains. The City closed on one home. The Demolition is completed. The second home
was able to get an extension: the extension has been granted until August 2005. Paperwork to Close the
Project will be happening soon. The third home chose not to participate.
Grant: $ 264,117 Source of Funds: FEMA/State of ]owa/City
Monticello Flood Buy-Out. The City was awarded funds to acquire and demolish two homes flooded
by the 3une 02, 2002 rains. Both homeowners have closed on their homes. The Demolition is
completed. The other home was sold by the city and relocated out of the floodplain. Close out is
completed.
Grant: $133,599 Source of Funds: FEMA/State of Iowa/City
ECl'COG
Solid Waste Planning Report
DATE: September 16, 2005
FROM: Jennifer Ryan, Solid Waste Planner, ext. 3:t, ~ennifer. ryan(~ecicog.org
Kristin Simon, Solid Waste Planner, ext. 26, kristin.simon@ecicog.org
Reqional Tire Processinq Contract
EC[COG has contracted regionally for waste tire processing services since 1998.
Member landfills sign a service agreement with ECl:COG to participate in the
contract. The current two-year contract expires December 31, 2005, but has a
two-year renewal clause. The Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) recommends
extending the contract to GreenMan Technologies with their proposed price
increase. The cost to load, transport and process tires will go from $92.50 to
$98.50 per ton and the cost for tires delivered to the processing facility will go
from $75.00 to $78.00 per ton. The rest of the contract terms will remain the
same. Requesting approval from the board.
Comprehensive Plan Amendment
Cox Sanitation & Recycling, ]:nc. has requested inclusion into the EC[COG Solid
Waste Comprehensive Plan. Cox Sanitation and Recycling, ]:nc. is a private waste
hauling and recycling company in Iowa County. Their operation includes a drop-
off for recyclables and trash as well as a recyclables processing facility. The DNR
is requiring them to be permitted as a Citizen Convenience Center. The waste
brought to Cox's facility from Iowa County customers is disposed of at the Iowa
County Landfill. This amendment will not alter the generation or disposal of
waste in the EC[COG planning area. The TAC recommends accepting Cox's
Citizen Convenience Center into the planning area. A memorandum of
understanding and a resolution are included in the packet. Requesting approval
from the board.
3ones County School Recyclinq Project
Paper is being recycled in all ]ones County school buildings. Large collection
containers were delivered to the schools and staff gave presentations to all
faculty members at the start of school. Jennifer and Kristin are also giving brief
presentations to each classroom explaining the paper-recycling program. A five
lesson solid waste unit will be taught at one grade level in each district
throughout the year.
North American Hazardous Materials Manaqement Association
_~ennifer ran for and was elected to the NAHMMA board of directors. The
organization is sponsoring her attendance at the annual conference in Tacoma,
WA.
East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG) -
StrategicPlan, 2006-2008
September 29, 2005
ECI
EAST CENTRAL IOWA
COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS
YOUR REGIONAL PLANNING AGENCY
ECICOG Board of Directors
Lu Barron, Linn County Board of Supervisors (Chair)
Edward Brown, Mayor, City of Washington
Leo Cook, Jones County Board of Supervisors
Bill Daily, City Administrator, City of Belle Plaine
Gary Edwards, Iowa County Citizen (Secretary/Treasurer)
Ric Gerard, Iowa County Board of Supervisors
Don Gray, Mayor, City of Central City
Dennis Hansen, Anamosa City Council
Pat Harney, Johnson County Board of Supervisors
Ann Hearn, Linn County Citizen
Henry Herwig, Coralville City Council
Landa Langston, Linn County Board of Supervisors
Don Magdefrau, Benton County Citizen
Charles Montross, Iowa County Board of Supervisors
Randy Payne, Washington County Board of Supervisors
Ed Raber, Washington County Citizen
David Vermedahl, Benton County Board of Supervisors (Vice-chair)
Wade Wagner, Cedar Rapids Parks Commissioner
Ross Wilburn, Iowa City City Council
Larry Wilson, Johnson County Citizen
ECICOG Staff
Doug E lliott, Executive Director
G ina Peters, Administrative Assistant
Mary Rump, Information Technology/Transportation Planner
Robyn Jacobson, Transit Administrator
Chad Sands, ACIP, Community Development Planner
Lisa Marie Garlich, Community Development Planner
Lisa Treharne, Community Development Planner
Eric Freese, Housing Specialist
Amy Peterson, Program Administrator
Jennifer Ryan, Solid Waste Planner
Kristin Simon, Solid Waste Planner
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of the ECICOG Strategic Plan, 2006-2008 is to guide the agency as it
endeavors to provide the most appropriate and effective services to local
government.
The plan acknowledges that the major functions of the agency remain valid today,
and is based on the premise that services the agency provides at its writing will
remain in place*.
The implementation of those services is further guided by individual, annual work
plans of agency staff members and the coordination of those work plans within
agency departments. ECICOG strives to maintain a proactive environment for the
delivery of technical and planning assistance by providing appropriate training,
current technologies, and professional resources. This equips agency staff to not
only address identified constituent needs, but to anticipate and plan for the future.
The plan places strategic emphasis on the following areas:
Program Initiatives
· Agency Communications
· Agency Capacity
The plan further identifies key action steps within those areas. These issues are
highlighted, because to be realized, they may require one or all of the following:
· Additional agency resources
· Additional financial participation by member governments
· A change in agency or local policy
Input for the creation of this plan was provided by agency staff, the ECICOG Board
of Directors, local elected officials, and local government representatives. The
agency wishes to acknowledge the contributions of these individuals and
organizations.
*A full description of agency services is available at www.ecicog.org
PROG RAM IN ITIATIVES
ECICOG provides planning and technical assistance to city and county governments
in four major areas: community development~ housin$~ solid wa~tq and
transportation. ECICOG surveyed local governments in the region to determine
what they believed were the most important emergent issues facing city and county
governments in the next three years. Based on the results of that survey, the
following programmatic areas were selected for strategic emphasis (order does not
connote priority):
· Housing
· Land Use
· Economic Opportunity
· Downtown Redevelopment
Housing
Obiective: To provide assistance to local governments to increase and improve
housing opportunities in the region.
Action Steps (responsible parties):
Key Actions
o.*o Create a revolving loan fund for gap funding for housing in the region
(ECICOG Board of Directors, Local Elected Officials).
o~* Encourage the use of standardized building codes and the pursuit of shared
housing inspection services within the region. (ECICOG Board of Directors,
ECICOG Staff, Local Elected Officials).
Additional Actions
o.*o Make the GRO program self-supporting (ECICOG Board of Directors,
ECICOG Staff)
· .*o Increase outreach to contractors, developers, specialized housing
populations and renters to increase participation in current programs and
encourage new initiatives (ECICOG Staff)
4
Land Use
Objective: To provide assistance to local governments to encourage planned and
complementary growth within the region.
Action Steps (responsible parties):
Key Actions
Create a regional comprehensive plan
Provide/sponsor ongoing educational opportunities for local elected officials,
boards of adjustment and planning and zoning commissions (ECICOG staff)
Additional Actions
Encourage and assist with the creation of fringe area agreements (ECICOG
staff)
Provide resources on planning tools such as LESA, watershed planning, CSR
and GIS (ECICOG staff)
Economic Opportunity
Objective: To provide assistance to local governments in expanding economic
opportunity through job creation/retention and an expanded local tax base.
Action Steps (responsible parties):
Key Actions
o:- Create an RLF for business gap financing (ECICOG staff, ECICOG Board of
Di rectors
o:o Provide a forum for the linkage of chambers of commerce, develOpment
organizations, planners, and grant writers (ECICOG Board of Directors,
ECICOG staff)
o:* Continue to secure EDA designation (ECICOG staff)
Additional Actions
· :- Assist communities with local economic development planning (ECICOG
staff)
· :. Assist communities in planning for and financing adequate public
infrastructure (ECICOG staff)
· :. Assist communities in addressing quality of life issues, including recreational,
cultural, educational, and community health needs. (ECICOG staff)
Downtown Revitalization
Objective: To provide assistance to communities in maintaining and/or re-
establishing downtowns as viable economic and civic centers.
Action Steps (responsible parties):
Key Actions
· :° Recognize downtown revitalization as a specific program area within agency
services, and provide adequate staffing and resources for its implementation
· .'o Assist communities through the overall redevelopment process (ECICOG
staff)
· $o Create or provide access to a guidance manual and other helpful literature
(ECICOG staff)
Additional Actions
o:o Assist communities in removing barriers to downtown development through
amending planning, zoning, and other regulatory documents (ECICOG staff)
°:o Assist communities in leveraging local, state and federal funds (ECICOG staff)
6
AGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
Ongoing and reciprocating communication with local governments is key to the
success of ECICOG and the effectiveness of agency programs. Utilizing on-site
visits, local and regional forums, and print and electronic media, the agency strives
to maintain a strong relationship with local governments and to ensure the
accessibility of its services to them.
Objective: To provide timely and pertinent information to city and county
governments in the areas of community development, housing, solid waste and
transportation.
Action Steps (responsible parties):
Key Actions
o:o Sponsor and cosponsor educational and training activities with other
organizations such as the ILC, ISAC, USDA-RD, ISUE (ECICOG staff,
ECICOG Board of Directors)
o:o Include a "local issues" agenda item at ECICOG Board of Directors meetings,
and encourage the deliberation of local issues on a regional level (ECICOG
Board of Directors)
Additional Actions
°~° Publish regular communications including the ECICOG Annual Report and
ECICOG Express (ECICOG staff)
· ~o Maintain and expand the agency website (ECICOG staff)
o:o Utilize "email alerts" for funding, regulatory, and other timely
communications (ECICOG staff)
o:o Annually review and implement the Pul~lic Participation Process for the
Region 10 Regional Planning Affiliation (ECICOG staff, RPA TAC, RPA PC)
Objective: To ensure that agency programs and services are reflective of the needs
and demands of local government.
Action Steps (responsible parties):
o.'o Conduct an annual survey of city and county governments (ECICOG staff)
°:' Utilize the SWTAC, TOG, TTAC, TPC, and ECICOG Board of Directors to
assist in establishing agency work plans (ECICOG staff)
°:° Review the agency strategic plan annually (ECICOG staff, ECICOG Board of
D i recto rs)
Objective: To promote agency services to local governments.
Action Steps (responsible parties):
°7° Schedule agency presentations in communities that requested them (ECICOG
staff)
o~o Schedule staff visits to communities that have not utilized agency services in
recent years (ECICOG staff)
o~o Schedule annual visits with each county board of supervisors (ECICOG staff)
o~* Refer current client communities to other agency services (ECICOG staff,
ECICOG Board of Directors)
o$o Serve on regional and local boards and commissions, as appropriate
(ECICOG staff)
o**o Prepare press releases, guest opinions and feature articles for submission to
local, state, and national media and professional publications (ECICOG sta~
o~o Publish regular communications including the ECICOG Annua! Report and
ECICOG Express (ECICOG staff)
o$o Maintain and expand the agency website (ECICOG staff)
AGENCY CAPACITY
The ECICOG Board of Directors believes that providing proper professional
development, training, and educational resources for agency staff is essential to
maintaining the quality and timeliness of agency services. In addition, the board
believes that a professional, aesthetically pleasing, and well-equipped work
environment is important to the effective operation of the agency and well being of
agency staff. Within budgetary limitations, the agency will address short-term
equipment and facility needs and plan for long-term equipment and facility
opportunities.
Objective: To provide adequate and timely professional development
opportunities for agency staff
Action Steps (responsible parties):
***o Encourage use of agency Career Development Policy
o**o Support and encourage professional certifications
°~o Support attendance at professional conferences and workshops
o.*o Re-institute a University of Iowa Field Project
Objective: To provide adequate technical resources to agency staff to support
current and future agency services.
Action Steps (responsible parties):
Key Actions
°.*o Purchase one new laptop and 2 new personal computers (ECICOG staff)
°~o Install ITS capabilities in Transportation Department (ECICOG staff, vendor)
o**o Create a paperless office environment (ECICOG staff)
Additional Actions
o~o Maintain GIS system (ECICOG staff)
Objective: To address short- and long-term facility needs
Action Steps (responsible parties): Key Actions
-:° Explore other available office space prior to expiration of current lease
(2/28/06) (ECICOG staff, ECICOG Board of Directors)
Additional Actions
o**° Work with current facility management to address deficiencies by improving
individual and public work spaces, updating aesthetics, increasing storage,
and improving accessibility.
°**° Continue to cooperate with City of Cedar Rapids Transportation and Parking
Department in planning for new intermodal facility (EGIGOG staff)
9
Date: October 4, 2005
To: Steve Atkins, City Manager
From: Kevin O'Malley, Director of Finance
Re: Fiber Extension to Court St. Transportation Center, Dubuque St and Capitol Ramps
This project will extend the City's fiber utility from the south side of the Recreation Center west
to Court Street Transportation Center and then further west to the two parking ramps. This
project is requested to connect all parking facilities and the Court Street Transportation Center
to City telecommunications and data communications systems. We will be able to eliminate
monthly telecommunication charges for telephone and data circuits from Qwest. Also, the new
video and audio surveillance systems will be accessible via the fiber optic cables. Operations
personnel will be able to manage cash registers, parking gates, elevators, and cameras from
the Iowa Avenue ramp.
The estimate cost of the fiber extension is $84,000 and is to be funded by Parking reserves of
$30,000 and General Fund reserves of $54,000. The estimated cost savings are approximately
$1,000 per month. Indirect savings are centralized control of operations by parking
management.
MEMORANDUM
DATE: October 5, 2005
TO: City Council
City Manager ~
FROM: Steven Nasby, Community and Economic Development Coordinator
RE: New Market Tax Credit Program
At a previous City Council meeting there was an inquiry about the federal New Market Tax
Credit Program. The following is a brief summary of that program and iowa City's
involvement.
· New Market Tax Credit Program was enacted in December 2000 as part of the
Community Renewal Tax Relief Act.
· Between 2002 and 2007, the program is expected to make available $15 billion in
investments in Iow-income communities predominately for economic development
activities.
· investment capital is generated through the sale of'tax credits' to corporate and
individual taxpayers who may receive a credit of 39% on their federal taxes over a
seven year period of time.
· investments in New Market Tax Credits must be made through a qualified
"Community Development Entity" (CDE) that applies for the New Market Tax Credits
from the U.S. Treasury Department.
· CDEs are a domestic corporation or partnership that has a track record of
development in Iow-income communities.
· iowa Community Development (iCD) is one CDE that was organized to administer
New Market Tax Credits in the state of iowa.
· in :iowa City there are seven census tracts that would qualify for this program.
in 2003, our office worked with the iowa Department of Economic Development and
iCD on an application for New Market Tax Credits. Six iowa City projects were proposed
for funding along with a number of other projects located throughout the State. The
application submitted by the iowa Department of Economic Development and :[CD was
not funded by the U.S. Treasury Department.
if you would like additional information regarding the New Market Tax Credit program
please contact me at 356-5248 or via e-mail at Steven-Nasby@iowa-city.org.
BUILDING PERMIT INFORMATION
September 2005
KEY FOR ABBREVIATIONS
.Type of lmprovement :
ADD - Addition
ALT- Alteration
REP- Repair
FND - Foundation Only
NE W - New
OTH- Other type of construction
Type of Use:
RSF- Residential Single Family
RDF- Residential Duplex
RMF- Three or more residential
RA C - Residential Accessory Building
MIX- Mixed
NON- Non-residential
OTH- Other
Page: 2 City of Iowa City
Date: 10/3/2005 Extraction of Building Permit Data for
To: 9/1/2005 Census Bureau Report
From: 9/30/2005
Type Type
Permit Number .Name Address Impr Use .Stories Units Valuation
BLD05-00710 HEADSTART 318 E BLOOMINGTON ST ADD NON 1 1 $1,600
12 x 12 PICNIC SHELTER IN REAR
Total ADD/NON permits: I Total Valuation: $1,600 I
BLD05-00610 MARY FASANO & MARK WI 621 HOLT AVE ADD RSF 2 1 $360,000
ADDITION FOR SFD
BLD05-00611 JAMES & BECKY BUXTON 1710 E COLLEGE ST ADD RSF 2 1 $186,752
ADDITION & REMODEL TO MOVED SFD WITH DETACHED GARAGE
BLD05-00590 ROGER K & ROSEMARY A S 520 CLARK ST ADD RSF 2 1 $60,000
ADDITION FOR SFD
BLD05-00618 RIBBLE, JASON 2 RITA LYN CT ADD RSF 1 1 $50,000
ADDITION FOR SFD
BLD05-00644 1NGEBORG SOLBRIG 1126 PINE ST ADD RSF 1 4 $30,000
ADDITION FOR SFD
BLD05-00678 LARRY & MARGARET BEU'I 2673 CONCORD CIR ADD RSF 3 1 $30,000
ADDITION FOR SFD
BLD05-00622 JOHN & BECKY DAGLE 14 GALWAY CIR ADD RSF 1 1 $29,000
3 SEASON PORCH ADDITION FOR SFD
BLD05-00654 JOHN & SHERI SWENNING 214 STANWYCK DR ADD RSF 2 4 $14,000
ADDITION FOR SFD
BLD05-00682 JANE SLAYMAKER 1401 OAKLAWN AVE ADD RSF 3 1 $12,600
SCREEN PORCH ADDITION FOR SFD
BLD05-00714 DOUG & KIM ALEXANDER 113 ARABIAN CT ADD RSF 2 1 $9,000
DECK ADDITION FOR SFD
BLD05-00677 JOHN LENZ 1813 LOWER MUSCATINE ADD RSF 3 1 $3,000
DECK ADDITION FOR SFD
BLD05-00653 MARVIN M FEIGENSPAN 114 EVANS ST ADD RSF 2 4 $1,780
DECK ADDITION FOR SFD
BLD05-00673 CAMPBELL, DAYLE W 431 ELMRIDGE AVE ADD RSF 2 1 $1,200
ADDITION AND REPAIR FOR SFD
Total ADD/RSF permits: 13 Total Valuation: $787,332
BLD05-00528 THE PRAIRIE TABLE 223 WASHINGTON ST ALT NON 3 1 $38,000
KITCHEN SUPPLY TENANT FINISH
BLD05-00633 HODGE CONSTRUCTION 201 S CLINTON ST 142 ALT NON 2 3 $11,515
"STUFF" TENANT ALTERATION
BLD05-00584 AI-IMAN CENTER OF IOWA 1812 W BENTON ST ALT NON 1 3 $10,000
ALTERATION AND REPAIR OF RELIGIOUS BUILDING
BLD05-00704 KENNEDY PLAZA 1NC 702 S GILBERT ST 107 ALT NON 1 1 $9,500
CHANGE OF USE TO HAIR SALON
BLD05-00657 UNITED ACTION FOR Your[ 355 IOWA AVE ALT NON 2 4 $2,000
ALTERATION OF AREA
Total ALT/NON permits: 5 Total Valuation: $71,015
3 Cityoflowa City
Date: 10/3/2005 Extraction of Building Permit Data for
To: 9/1/2005 Census Bureau Report
From: 9/30/2005
Type Type
Permit Number Name Address Impr Use Stories Units Valuation
BLD05-00643 THOMAS R FAST 1118 FAIRCHILD ST ALT RAC 1 4 $3,700
REBUILD DETACHED GARAGE ROOF FOR SFD
Total ALT/RAC permits: 1 Total Valuation: $3,700
BLD05-O0554 VALERIE RUSSELL 86 JEMA CT ALT RDF 3 I $5,000
BASEMENT KITCHEN FOR RDF UNIT
BLD05-00674 BLESOFSKY, AVROHOM 420 E JEFFERSON ST ALT RDF 3 1 $1,925
CONVERT RMF TO DUPLEX
Total ALT/RDF permHs: 2 Total Valuation: $6,925
BLD05-00675 PAM PASSMORE 129 CAYMAN ST ALT RMF 3 1 $5,411
CONVERT SCREEN PORCH TO 3 SEASON PORCH
BLD05-00645 LARJ PROPERTIES 517 S LINN ST ALT RMF 1 4 $0
Condo Conversion
BLD05-00646 KEVIN J KIDWELL 720 S DUBUQUE ST ALT RMF 1 4 $0
Condo Conversion
BLD05-00687 BUNDY, STEVEN C 1107 MARCY ST ALT RSF 3 1 $24,000
ALTER ROOFS FOR SFD
BLD05-00641 p & p CONSTRUCTION 3326 WINTERGREEN DR ALT RSF 2 4 $15,000
BASEMENT FINISH OF SFD
BLD05-00642 p & p CONSTRUCTION L L C 3449 NORTH JAMIE LN ALT RSF 2 4 $15,000
BASEMENT FINISH FOR SFD
BLD05-00684 MARTIN DESENT 730 JEFFERSON ST ALT RSF 3 1 $12,000
REMODEL FOR SFD
BLD05-00692 MICHELLE & KENNETH NE! 3660 DONEGAL CT ALT RSF 1 0 $6,647
BASEMENT BATHROOM FOR SFD
BLD05-00634 PENG HE 301 DUBLIN DR ALT RSF 2 3 $2,800
CONVERT SCREEN PORCH TO 3 SEASON ROOM
BLD05-00695 MARY JO VILLHAUER 618 KEOKUK CT ALT RSF I 0 $2,000
Bring two sets of stairs up to current code
BLD05-00694 AGUILAR, MANUEL 1311 KIRKWOOD AVE ALT RSF 1 0 $1,600
Install sloped roof over flat
BLD05-00623 GENE & CAROLE KNUTSON 137 S MT VERNON DR ALT RSF 1 1 $1,400
MOVE INTERIOR GARAGE WALL
BLD05-00690 SOUTHGATE DEVELOPMEN 1013 JENSEN ST ALT RSF 1 0 $0
Basement finish
BLD05-00651 PIP PRINTING IOWA CITY AREA FND NON 2 4 $80,000
FOUNDATION FOR COMMERCIAL BUILDING
Pagg: 4 City of Iowa City
Date: 10/3/2005 Extraction of Building Permit Data for
To: 9/1/2005 Census Bureau Report
From: 9/30/2005
Type Type
Permit Number Name Address Impr Use Stories Units Valuation
Total FND/NON permit~: 1 Total Valuation: $80,000
BLD05-00681 BRIGHT EYES & BUSHY TA] 3030 NORTHGATE DR NEW NON 3 0 $900,000
BUILDING SHELL FOR FUTURE VET CLINICS AND COMMERCIAL TENANTS
BLD05-00567 MARTIN GAFFEY 233 SCOTT CT NEW NON 2 3 $436,470
3 LEVEL COMMERCIAL BUILD1NG WITH 3 APARTMENTS TOP FLOOR
BLD05-00647 TACO BELL 907 HIGHWAY 6 EAST NEW NON 1 0 $400,000
NEW RESTAURANT
BLD05-00568 MARTIN GAFFEY 230 SCOTT CT NEW NON 2 3 $355,700
2 LEVEL COMMERCIAL BUILDING WITH 3 APARTMENTS TOP FLOOR
BLD05-00594 IOWA CITY READY MIX IN( 1854 S RIVERSIDE DR NEW NON 1 0 $65,000
TRUCK SHED FOR READY MIX PLANT
Total NEW/NON permits: 5 Total Valuation: $2,157,170 ~
BLD05-00698 JOAN BENSON & ROBIN HE] 2029 1 ST NEW RAC 1 0 $13,000
DETACHED GARAGE ADDITION FOR SFD
BLD05-00691 NILE & HEATHER FAY 6 GEORGETOWN CIR NEW RAC 1 0 $3,000
STORAGE SHED FOR SFD
Total NEW/RAC permit~: 2 Total Valuation: $16,000 i
BLD05-00712 ABSTRACT BUILDERS 2404 CATSKILL CT NEW RDF 2 2 $257,253
DUPLEX WITH ATTACHED 2 CAR GARAGES
· 2404-2406 CATSKILL CT.
BLD05-00659 WHISPERING GARDEN IHA 2429 WHISPERING MEAD( NEW RDF 1 2 $183,142
DUPLEX WITH ATTACHED ONE CAR GARAGES
2429-2431 WHISPERING MEADOW DR
BLD05-00660 WHISPERING GARDEN IHA 2453 WHISPERING MEAD( NEW RDF 1 2 $183,142
DUPLEX WITH ATTACHED ONE CAR GARAGES
2453-2455 WHISPERING MEADOW DR
BLD05-00661 WHISPERING GARDEN IHA 2441 WHISPERING MEAD( NEW RDF 1 2 $183,142
DUPLEX WITH ATTACHED ONE CAR GARAGES
2441-2443 WHISPERING MEADOW DR
Total NEW/RDF permits: 4 Total Valuation: $806,679 ~
BLD05-00638 ARLINGTON DEVELOPMEN' 4811 CARDIGAN LN NEW RMF 2 4 $421,478
4 UNIT TOWNHOUSES
4811-4813-4815-4817 CARDIGAN LN
BLD05-00639 ARLINGTON DEVELOPMEN' 4831 CARDIGAN LN NEW RMF 2 4 $421,478
4 UNIT TOWNHOUSES
4831-4833-4835-4837 CARDIGAN LN
Total NEW/RMF permits: 2 Total Valuation: $842,956
BLD05-00679 RON SCHINTLER, INC 1127 WILD PRAIRIE NEW RSF 2 1 $372,500
SFD WITH ATTACHED 3 CAR GARAGE
Page: 5 City of Iowa City
t)a : 0/3/2005 Extraction of Building Permit Data for
,o: 9/1/2005 Census Bureau Report
From: 9/30/2005
Ty p e Ty p e
Permit Number Name Address Impr Use Stories Units Valuation
BLD05-00711 PR BUILDERS INC 3605 DONEGAL CT NEW RSF 1 1 $365,000
SFD WITH ATTACHED 3 CAR GARAGE
BLD05-00670 ALEX KOLYVANOV 1458 WETHERBY DR NEW RSF 2 1 $252,745
SFD WITH ATTACHED 2 CAR GARAGE
BLD05-00637 JASON LEE 3442 DONEGAL CT NEW RSF 2 1 $233,500
SFD WITH ATTACHED 3 CAR GARAGE
BLD05-00688 HBA STUDENT HOUSE 1228 CHAMBERLAIN DR NEW RSF 2 1 $226,308
SFD WITH ATTACHED 3 CAR GARAGE
BLD05-00587 REGENCY HOMES 1760 MACKINAW DR NEW RSF 2 1 $221,490
SFD WITH ATTACHED 2 CAR GARAGE
BLD05-00668 ARLINGTON DEV INC 4460 CUMBERLAND LN NEW RSF 2 1 $206,000
SFD WITH ATTACHED 3 CAR GARAGE
BLD05-00716 JEFF MILLER CONST 3640 DONEGAL CT NEW RSF 1 1 $205,000
SFD WITH ATTACHED 2 CAR GARAGE
BLD05-00713 ARLINGTON DEV INC 52 EVERSULL LN NEW RSF 2 1 $201,857
SFD WITH ATTACHED 2 CAR GARAGE
BLD05-00706 SOUTHGATE DEVELOPMEN 19 CHARLES DR NEW RSF 1 1 $201,000
SFD WITH ATTACHED 2 CAR GARAGE
BLD05-00669 ARLINGTON DEV INC 4338 CUMBERLAND LN NEW RSF 1 1 $196,710
SFD WITH ATTACHED 3 CAR GARAGE
BLD05-00658 STEVE BRENNEMAN 1033 CHAMBERLAIN DR NEW RSF 2 1 $185,279
SFD WITH ATTACHED 2 CAR GARAGE
BLD05-00735 JESSE ALLEN 33 MARY CT NEW RSF 1 1 $184,434
SFD WITH ATTACHED 3 CAR GARAGE
BLD05-00689 ANDY LONG 703 KIMBALL AVE NEW RSF 1 1 $180,000
SFD
BLD05-00700 RYAN MILLS & JAKE RONA~ 725 MCCOLLISTER CT NEW RSF 1 1 $164,707
SFD WITH ATTACHED 2 CAR GARAGE
BLD05-00376 SOUTHGATE 1013 JENSEN ST NEW RSF 2 1 $164,000
ZERO-LOT LINE UNIT
LOT 7 OF WALDEN WOOD PART 6
BLD05-00680 IOWA VALLEY HAB FOR HI_ 840 ST ANNES DR NEW RSF 1 1 $95,000
S.F.D. with no garage
BLD05-00662 WHISPERING GARDEN IHA 2607 INDIGO CT NEW RSF 1 1 $91,571
ZERO LOT LINE SFD WITH ATTACHED ONE CAR GARAGE
BLD05-00663 WHISPERING GARDEN IHA 2613 INDIGO CT NEW RSF 1 1 $91,571
ZERO LOT LINE SFD WITH ATTACHED ONE CAR GARAGE
BLD05-00664 WHISPERING GARDEN IHA 2670 INDIGO CT NEW RSF 1 1 $91,571
ZERO LOT LINE SFD WITH ATTACHED ONE CAR GARAGE
BLD05-00665 WHISPERING GARDEN IHA 2680 INDIGO CT NEW RSF 1 1 $91,571
ZERO LOT LINE SFD WITH ATTACHED ONE CAR GARAGE
BLD05-00666 WHISPERING GARDEN IHA 2409 WHISPERING MEAD( NEW RSF 1 1 $91,571
ZERO LOT LINE SFD WITH ATTACHED ONE CAR GARAGE
BLD05-00667 WHISPERING GARDEN IHA 2417 WHISPERING MEAD( NEW RSF 1 1 $91,571
ZERO LOT L1NE SFD WITH ATTACHED ONE CAR GARAGE
page: 6 City of Iowa City
Date: 10/3/2005 Extraction of Building Permit Data for
,o: 9/1/2005 Census Bureau Report
From: 9/30/2005
Type. Type
Permit Number Name Address Impr Use Stories Units Valuation
BLD05-00686 BEVERLY A ROBALINO 2608 IRVING AVE OTH RSF 3 1 $1,800
FENCE FOR SFD
[ Total OTH/RSF permits: 1 Total Valuation: $1,800I
BLD05-00734 CHUCK SKAUGSTAD 538 S GILBERT ST REP NON 1 1 $12,976
REROOF
BLD05-00717 MMS 1917 S GILBERT ST REP NON 1 1 $11,500
REROOF COMMERCIAL BUILDING
BLD05-00702 EMMA GOLDMAN CL1NIC 227 N DUBUQUE ST REP NON 1 1 $11,000
REROOF COMMERCIAL BUILDING
BLD05-00733 SHERWIN WILLIAMS 1705 S 1 ST AVE B REP NON 1 1 $8,000
REPAIR REAR WALL OF PAINT STORE
BLD05-00656 SANCTUARY 405 S GILBERT ST REP NON 2 4 $7,000
REPAIR FIREWALL SEPARATION ON PROPERTY LINE
BLD05-00650 ROCHESTER HILLS CONDO 653 LARCH LN REp RDF 2 4 $7,202
REPAIR OF RDF UNITS
Total REP/RDF permits: I Total Valuation: $7,202
BLD05-00649 ROCHESTER HILLS CONDO 620 LARCH LN REp RMF 2 4 $6,830
REPAIR OF RMF UNITS
BLD05-00708 TERESA CROSSER 801 BOWERY ST REp RMF 1 1 $300
REPLACE BACK STEPS FOR RMF
BLD05-00683 MELISSA JONES 138 AMHURST ST REp RSF 3 1 $40,000
FIRE REPAIR OF KITCHEN AND BATH AREA
BLD05-00685 JOE GALLARDO 703 E JEFFERSON ST REp RSF 3 1 $11,380
PORCH REPAIR FOR SFD
BLD05-00648 BLANC, FRANCOISE VIOLET 404 S SUMMIT ST REp RSF 2 4 $10,000
EXTERIOR REPAIR FOR SFD IN HISTORIC DISTRICT
BLD05-00640 JOHN & CONNIE NELSON 2245 MAcBRIDE DR REP RSF 2 4 $5,000
REPLACE DECK FOR SFD
BLD05-00671 JAY R BERRY JR 430 CHURCH ST REP RSF 2 1 $3,500
FRONT ENTRANCE STEPS
BLD05-00655 AERIES PROPERTY MANAG 1011 HUDSON AVE REp RSF 2 4 $1,500
W1NDOW REPLACEMENT FOR SFD
BLD05-00655 AERIES PROPERTY MANAG 1011 HUDSON AVE REP RSF 2 4 $1,500
WINDOW REPLACEMENT FOR SFD
BLD05-00632 MICHELLE CAMPO & ESTHt 1022 E COLLEGE ST REP RSF 2 3 $1,200
ROOF REPAIR FOR SFD ADDITION
Wge: 7 City of Iowa City
Date: 10/3/2005 Extraction of Building Permit Data for
To: 9/1/2005 Census Bureau Report
From: 9/30/2005
Ty p e Ty p e
Permit Number Name Address Impr Use Stories Units Valuation
I Total REP/RSF permits: 8 Total Valuation: $74,080 I
I
1
GRAND TOTALS: PERMITS: 89 VALUATION: $9,204,879 1
Fiscal Year 2005
Annual Report
of
Boards, Commissions,
and Committees
CITY OF IOWA CITY
City Manager's Office 356-5010
www. icgov.org
TABLE OF CONTENTS
STAFF CONTACTS ............................................................................................................. 1
ADJUSTMENT, BOARD OF ................................................................................................. 2
AIRPORT COMMISSION ..................................................................................................... 4
AIRPORT ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT .................................................................. 5
AIRPORT ZONING COMMISSION ...................................................................................... 6
ANIMAL CARE AND ADOPTION CENTER ADVISORY BOARD ........................................ 7
APPEALS, BOARD OF ........................................................................................................ 8
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION ........................................................................................... 9
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION ..................................................................... 10
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION ....................................... 12
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION ....................................................................................... 14
LIBRARY TRUSTEES, BOARD OF ................................................................................... 15
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION ...................................................................... 17
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION ......................................................................... 19
POLICE CITIZENS REVIEW BOARD ................................................................................ 22
PUBLIC ART ADVISORY COMMITTEE ......................................................................... :.. 25
REVIEW, BOARD OF ......................................................................................................... 26
SENIOR CENTER COMMISSION ...................................................................................... 27
TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION ......................................................................... 30
STAFF CONTACTS
Adjustment, Board of .......................................................................... Bob Miklo ................................ 356-5240
Airport Commission ............................................................................ Randy Hartwig ........................ 356-5045
Airport Zoning Board of Adjustment ................................................ Randy Hartwig ........................ 356-5045
Airport Zoning Commission .............................................................. Randy Hartwig ........................ 356-5045
Animal Control Advisory Board ........................................................ Misha Goodman ..................... 356-5295
Appeals, Board of ............................................................................... Tim Hennes ............................ 356-5122
Civil Service Commission .................................................................. Sylvia Mejia ............................ 356-5026
Historic Preservation Commission ................................................... Bob Miklo ................................ 356-5240
Housing and Community Development Commission ..................... Steve Long ............................. 356-5250
Human Rights Commission ............................................................... Stefanie Bowers ..................... 356-5022
Library Trustees, Board of ................................................................. Susan Craig ............................ 356-5200
Parks and Recreation Commission ................................................... Terry Trueblood ...................... 356-5110
Planning and Zoning Commission .................................................... Bob Miklo ................................ 356-5240
Police Citizens Review Board ............................................................ Kellie Tuttle ............................. 356-5043
Public Art Advisory Committee ......................................................... Karin Franklin ......................... 356-5232
Review, Board of ................................................................................. Dennis Baldridge .................... 356-6066
Senior Center Commission ................................................................ Linda Kopping ........................ 356-5225
Telecommunications Commission .................................................... Drew Shaffer .......................... 356-5046
ADJUSTMENT, BOARD OF
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
The Board of Adjustment is empowered through Chapter 414 of the Code of Iowa and Section 14-4B of the
Iowa City Code to grant special exceptions as provided in the Zoning Chapter and to hear appeals to
decisions made in the enforcement of the Zoning Chapter. The Board has the authority to allow variances to
the Zoning Chapter for individual properties where provisions of the Chapter impose a unique and
unnecessary hardship on the property owner and where the granting of a variance is not contrary to the
intent of the Zoning Chapter or to the public interest. The Board may also submit recommendations to the
Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Council regarding amendments to the Zoning Chapter. The
Board is a quasi-judicial body whose decisions may be appealed to District Court.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN FISCAL YEAR 2005
During FY05 the Board of Adjustment met 10 times and made the following decisions: Special Exceptions:
28 approved, 2 denied, and 1 withdrawn.
The Board's decisions in FY05 resulted in:
7/14/04 (3 approved Special Exceptions)
· EXC04-00014 - Permitting a historic sign that does not conform to the sign code (an animated
lighted sign that also exceeds size limits) in the Central Business (CB-10) zone located at 221 E.
Washington Street.
· EXC04-00016 - Permitting Transient Housing in the Intensive Commercial (C1-1) zone located at the
southeast corner of the intersection of Southgate Avenue and Waterfront Drive.
· EXC04-00017 - Reducing the front yards from 20 feet to 17 feet, reduction of a portion of the side
yards from 3 feet to 0 feet, and allowance of a common driveway to be located partially on a
separate lot for properties located in the Medium Density Single-Family (RS-8) zone located at 1128
and 1130 E. Washington Street.
8/12/04 (2 approved Special Exceptions)
· EXC04-00007 - Permitting a commercial child care center for up to 24 children in the Low Density
Single-Family (RS-5) zone located at 735 Westgate Street.
· EXC04-00018 - Reducing the required front yard adjacent to 5th Avenue from 20 feet to zero feet for
property located in the Low Density Single-Family Residential (RS-5) zone at 1906 G Street.
10/13/04 (3 approved Special Exceptions and 1 denied Special Exception)
· EXC04-00020 - Permitting installation of a columbarium for the use of the church members for
property located in the Low Density Single-Family Residential (RS-5) zone at 2701 Rochester
Avenue.
· EXC04-00022 - Denying a telecommunications tower site for property located in the ID-RS zone at
637 Foster Road.
· EXC04-00023 - Permitting a shared common driveway and parking areas for property located in the
RS-8 zone at 211 Myrtle Avenue.
· EXC04-00024 - Permitting a drive through restaurant for property located in the Community
Commercial (CC-2) zone at Pepperwood Plaza on the east side of Keokuk Street south of Hwy 6.
11/10/04 (2 approved Special Exceptions)
· EXC04-00025 - Permitting a reduction of the required front yard from 20 feet to 12 feet for property
located in the RS-5 zone at 1817 Grantwood Drive.
· EXC04-00026 - Permitting a reduction of the required front yard from 20 feet to 0 feet to allow a
parking space in the front yard for property located in the RS-5 zone at 1401 Ridge Street.
12/8/04 (2 approved Special Exceptions)
· EXC04-00022 - Reconsidered and passed an application submitted by Verizon Wireless for a special
exception to permit installation of a telecommunication tower site for property located in the ID-RS
zone at 637 Foster Road.
· EXC04-00027 - Permitting expansion of an existing religious institution by allowing a 60' by 80'
paved extension of their current parking lot for the property in the RS-5 zone at 2701 Rochester
Avenue.
1/12/05 (6 approved Special Exceptions)
· EXC04-00028 - Permitting a school of specialized private instruction on property in the General
Industrial (I-1) Zone at 2433 South Scott Boulevard.
· EXC04-00029 - Permitting reduction of the front yard to allow the erection of balconies for property
located in the Neighborhood Residential Conservation (RNC-20) zone at 932 East Washington
Street.
· EXC04-00030 - Permitting reduction of the front yard to allow the erection of balconies for property
located in the Neighborhood Residential Conservation (RNC-20) zone at 924 East Washington
Street.
· EXC04-00031 - Permitting reduction of the front yard to allow the erection of balconies for property
located in the Neighborhood Residential Conservation (RNC-12) zone at 517 Fairchild Street.
· EXC04-00032 - Permitting reduction of the front yard to allow the erection of balconies for property
located in the Neighborhood Residential Conservation (RNC-12) zone at 333 East Church Street.
· EXC04-00033 - Reducing of the front yard setback from 20 feet to 9.5 feet to allow an addition to an
existing building located in the Community Commercial (CC-2) zone at 1905 Broadway Street.
2/9/05 (3 approved Special Exceptions)
· EXC05-00002 - Permitting operation of a small animal veterinary clinic on property located in the
Commercial Office (CO-1) zone at 3030 Northgate Drive.
· EXC05-00001 - Allowing for the separation of two non conforming parcels into two residential lots for
property located in the Low Density Single-Family Residential (RS-5) zone at 1518 Crescent Street.
· EXC04-00016 - Allowing for the extension for the expiration date of EXC04:00016 to permit
transient housing in the Intensive Commercial (C1-1) zone located at the southeast corner of the
intersection of Southgate Avenue and Waterfront Drive.
3/9/05 (2 approved Special Exceptions and 1 denied Special Exception)
· EXC05-00003 - Allowing for a drive-through restaurant on property located in the Community
Commercial (CC-2) zone at 901 Hollywood Boulevard.
· EXC05-00004 - Denying reduction of the front yard from 20 feet to 5.5 feet for property located in the
Intensive Commercial (C1-1) zone north of 404 Kirkwood Avenue.
· EXC05-00005 - Permitting reduction of the parking requirements for property located in the
Community Commercial (CC-2) zone at 1600 Sycamore Street.
5/11/05 (2 approved Special Exceptions)
· EXC05-00008 - Allowing expansion of the existing concrete batch/mix plant to allow for the addition
of a warehouse on property located in the General Industrial (I-1) zone at 3310 South Riverside
Drive.
· EXC04-00020 - Allowing extension of the expiration date for a special exception for expansion of the
First Presbyterian Church to permit installation of a columbarium for property located in the Low
Density Single-Family Residential (RS-5) zone at 2701 Rochester Avenue.
6/8/05 (3 approved Special Exceptions)
· EXC05-00010 - Allowing reduction of the required 20 foot rear yard to 5.4 feet to allow an addition to
an existing single-family house located in the Medium Density Single Family Residential (RS-8) zone
at 1012 Hudson Avenue.
· EXC05-00011 - Allowing a religious institution on property located in the Commercial Office (CO-1)
zone at 2923 Northgate Drive.
· EXC05-00012 - Allowing a gas station and a drive through pharmacy on property located in the
Community Commercial (CC-2) zone on Ruppert Road.
PLANS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006
· Consider applications appeals, special exceptions and variances to the zoning code.
· Make recommendations to the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council regarding the
zoning code.
AIRPORT COMMISSION
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
The Iowa City Municipal Airport Commission is a five-member commission responsible for formulating policy
and directing administration of the Iowa City Municipal Airport as a public facility in accordance with local,
Iowa Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration regulations. The Commission was
established by public referendum under Iowa Code in 1941. The Commissioners are appointed by the
Mayor and approved by the City Council, with a six (6) year term of office. The Airport Commission meets
monthly, with additional meetings as necessary.
ACTIONS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN 2005
· Continued progress on Runway 7/25 project
· Completed Airport's Strategic Plan and began implementation
· Provided internship for 2 Univ. of Dubuque Aviation Mgmt. Students
· Increased coordination with City Departments
· In addition to continued hosting of the Sertoma Fly-In Breakfast, hosted a new spring time
fly-in event
· Continued marketing effort for Aviation Commerce Park with first sale pending
· Used IDOT infrastructure funds to rehab roofs on Hangars B and C
· Established management advisory relationship with Snyder & Associates
GOALS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006
· Continue implementation of the Strategic Plan; including addition of part time management
assistant
· Continue progress on Runway 7/25 project
· Install concrete floors in Hangars B & C
· Rehab taxiways on North Hangar area
· Rehab west ramp surface
· Update security fencing to include Airport Viewing Area
· Continue marketing of Aviation Commerce Park
· Identify future Airport needs and land uses for Aviation Commerce Park South
· Continue positive relationship with City Council and City departments
4
AIRPORT ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
In accordance with Chapter 329 of the Code of Iowa, the Board of Supervisors of Johnson County
and the City Council of Iowa City have co-established the Johnson County-Iowa City Airport Zoning
Board of Adjustment.
It is the duty of this Board to hear and decide appeals where it is alleged that there has been an
error in any administrative action in the enforcement of the ordinance, and to hear and decide on
special exceptions that are specifically provided for in the ordinance and to authorize variances
from the terms of the ordinance on appeal in specific cases.
ACTIONS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN 2005
The Board did not receive any appeals requests for exceptions or requests for variances during the
past year.
GOALS FOR 2006
The Board will respond to appeals and other requests as it receives them and will make
recommendations regarding the Zoning Ordinance.
5
AIRPORT ZONING COMMISSION
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
In accordance with Chapter 329 of the Code of Iowa, the Board of Supervisors of Johnson County
and the City Council of Iowa City have co-established the Johnson County-Iowa City Airport Zoning
Commission.
It is the duty of the Commission to advise and make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors
and the City Council as to the appropriate zoning requirements and other matters pertaining to the
physical development of areas of the county and the city surrounding the Iowa City Municipal
Airport, so as to maximize compatibility between airport uses and the uses of the adjacent land.
ACTIONS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN 2005
The Commission did not meet in the past year.
GOALS FOR 2006
The Commission will review zoning requests that may impact the Iowa City Municipal Airport.
ANIMAL CARE AND ADOPTION CENTER ADVISORY BOARD
GENERAL RESPONSIBLITIES
The Animal Services Advisory Board provides recommendations and advice as are required by the
28E agreement or as may be requested bY the City Council or City Manager of Iowa City or the
City Council or city Administrator of Coralville.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN FISCAL YEAR 2005
· Reviewed fee increases for licensing
· Set standard license fees for both cities
· Held six meetings and was briefed on overall Center operations
PLANS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006
Currently the 28 E agreement is being renegotiated. At finalization of the contract, plans for
upcoming year will be set per the agreement outline.
APPEALS, BOARD OF
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
The responsibility of the Board of Appeals as set by City ordinance is to review the Building Code, the Fire
Code, the Plumbing Code, the Mechanical Code, and the National Electrical Code and recommend
amendments for these regulatory codes; to assist the building official in making interpretations; to hear appeals
for any person that is aggrieved by a decision of the building official and pass judgment on that appeal; and to
consider alternate materials and methods of construction. The Board consists of seven citizens who live within
the corporate limits of the City of Iowa City.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN FISCAL YEAR 2005
· The Board heard two appeals stating practical difficulties in carrying out the provisions of the code, one was
denied and one was ruled in favor of the appellant.
· The Board heard one request for use of an alternate material, which was approved.
· The Board held two meetings discussing and receiving input from the public regarding the adoption of the
latest edition of the 2005 National Electrical Code, which lead to a recommendation to Council for their
adoption as amended.
PLANS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006
· Continue to work with the Home Builders Association to clarify code issues.
· Continue to hear appeals, requests for variances and modification, requests for alternate materials and
methods of construction and requests for code amendments.
· Review and prepare for adoption of the latest edition of the building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical and
fire codes.
· Work with the Home Builders Association to review the need for licensing of HVAC contractors.
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
Chapter 400 of the Code of Iowa and Section 2-111, Code of Ordinances establish and govern the Civil
Service Commission. Three citizens who are eligible ejectors and residents of the city are appointed by the
City Council to serve four-year terms.
The Commission establishes and publishes rules relating to examinations for civil service positions,
establishes guidelines for conducting such examinations, and certifies lists of persons eligible for
appointment to positions. The Commission has jurisdiction to hear appeals and determine all matters
involving the rights of employees under civil service law and may affirm, modify or reverse any administrative
action on its merits. The Commission meets when necessary.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN FISCAL YEAR 2005
· In maintaining full compliance with Code of Iowa Chapter 400, development and use of Civil Services
selection procedures continued for all covered and promotion positions on a City-wide basis. Forty
positions were filled from a total of 2,121 applicants for non-Police and non-Fire Civil Service covered
positions.
· A certified list of 11 names was approved by the Civil Service Commission for the position of Police
Officer. 412 applications were mailed to individuals who expressed interest in the position prior to the
beginning of our recruitment period. In addition, applications were mailed to all individuals who called
requesting an application following newspaper advertising and applications were provided to all
applicants who came to the Personnel office. 197 were submitted to Personnel, 107 applicants
participated in the written test, 60 applicants participated in the physical agility test and 48 applicants
were interviewed.
· The Civil Service Commission approved the recruitment process for Police Chief. After advertising, 67
resumes were sent to Personnel and of those, 61 met minimum qualifications. As of the deadline of May
27th, 53 applications were returned for further consider. A total of five candidates were interviewed. The
process continued into FY06.
PLANS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006
During FY06 Commissioners will complete the' certification process for the position of Police Chief. In
addition the Commission will oversee an entry level test for the position of Police Officer and Firefighter. If
new lists are needed, Commissioners will oversee the promotional process for one or more of the following
positions: Police Captain, Police Lieutenant and Police Sergeant.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
The ten-member Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission is authorized to conduct studies for the
identification and designation of local historic districts, conservation districts and historic landmarks. The
Commission either proceeds on its own initiative or upon receipt of a petition from any person, group or
association.
The Commission furthers the efforts of historic preservation in the City by making recommendations to the
City Council and City commissions and boards on preservation issues by encouraging the protection and
enhancement of structures, objects, or sites with historical, architectural or cultural value; and by
encouraging persons and organizations to become involved in preservation activities.
The Commission reviews applications for housing rehabilitation and rental rehabilitation assistance through the
Community Development Block Grant Program to evaluate the effects of the proposed projects on properties
over 50 years in age. Modifications of activities are recommended in instances where the proposed alterations
would have a negative impact upon the historic or architectural qualities of structures that are determined to be
eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.
The Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission is committed to working with other preservation
organizations to implement a strong educational program designed to increase Iowa City residents'
awareness and sensitivity to the cultural, architectural, and historical value of local structures, neighborhoods
and districts.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN FISCAL YEAR 2005:
· Held 23 regular meetings and one special meeting.
· Pursuant to the Historic Preservation Ordinance, the Commission reviewed 65 applications for
Certificates of Appropriateness for historic landmarks and properties located in a conservation or historic
district.
21 applications for additions were approved.
39 applications for alterations were approved.
11 applications for demolitions were approved.
6 applications for new construction were approved.
15 Certificates of No Effect were approved.
4 applications were denied.
· Listing of the Gilbert-Linn Street Historic District, Jefferson Street Historic DiStrict and Ronalds Street
expansion of the Brown Street Historic District in the National Register of Historic Places.
· Expanded the local Brown Street Historic district to include portions of Ronalds Street in to the Historic
Preservation Overlay Zone.
· Co-sponsored the Historic Preservation Awards during Irving B. Weber Week.
PLANS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006
· Update the Preservation Plan to provide guidance for the next 10 years.
· Participate in the Central District planning process.
· Pursue the establishment of local financial incentives for historic preservation.
- Establish local tax abatement program for the improvement and rehabilitation of historic
properties.
- Promote use of existing funding programs such as TARP and State of Iowa Historical Property
Tax Exemption Program..
- Partner with private organizations, such as Friends of Historic Preservation and local banks, to
establish a grant program.
- Establish a revolving loan fund for historic preservation.
- Establish conservation easement program to reduce property taxes for historic buildings.
· Work with the City and downtown property owners to encourage fa(~ade improvements through the use
of the Central Business District Urban Revitalization Plan.
· Publication of historic neighborhood brochures.
· Create a more comprehensive and user-friendly historic preservation website.
· Work with the downtown community to pursue historic district designation.
· Continue to advise City Council, and other boards and commissions regarding matters of historic
preservation policy.
· Continue liaison and cooperation with the Iowa City City Council, Johnson County Board of Supervisors,
Iowa City/Coralville Convention and Visitors Bureau, John County Historical, Society, Johnson County
Historic Preservation Commission, State Historical Society of Iowa, and Friends of Historic Preservation.
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
The Housing and Community Development Commission (HCDC) consists of nine Iowa City residents
appointed by the City Council. They represent, as nearly as possible, a cross-section of the Iowa City
population in background, ideas, geographic location, age and socioeconomic status. Committee members
serve for three years.
The purpose of HCDC is to advise the Council on community needs in general and on the use of Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership program (HOME) funds from a citizen
viewpoint. To accomplish this HCDC provides systematic communication between citizens and policymakers
with regard to community development projects. The Commission's work has been primarily directed at
developing, coordinating, and reviewing the City's activities carried out in conjunction with the City's
Consolidated Plan (CITY STEPS). In addition, the Commission reviews Community and Economic
Development Division and Iowa City Housing Authority policies and periodically makes recommendations to
the Council regarding these policies.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN FISCAL YEAR 2005
In FY05 the City of Iowa City and its subrecipients expended $1,142,151 in CDBG funds and $654,861 in
HOME funds to assist Iow-moderate income persons. To ensure that community needs are met, HCDC
members monitored projects throughout the year. HCDC members also organized the annual Iowa City
Community Development Celebration that featured an awards ceremony honoring outstanding CDBG and
HOME partnerships. The 2005 Celebration was held at Old Brick.
The FY05 project accomplishments are as follows:
· Economic Development Fund - Lear Corporation, Oasis Falafel, Extend the Dream Foundation
· Broadway Neighborhood Planning & Comm. Building - Neighborhood Ctrs. of Johnson Co.
· Facility Construction - The lC Community School Dist. was provided funds to construct the Wood Family
Resource Center (Estimated Completion in December 2005)
· Facility Rehabilitation - United Action for Youth was awarded funds to renovate their facility
· Facility Rehabilitation - Old Brick Foundation received funds for accessibility improvements
· Facility Rehabilitation - Free Lunch Program received funds to construct a storage area
· Facility Rehabilitation - Domestic Violence Intervention Program -- Security improvements
· Facility Rehabilitation - 4Cs Child Care (Project Cancelled)
· Facility Rehabilitation - Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County used CDBG funds to renovate the
interior of the Broadway facility
· Human Services - Compeer Program received operational funds
· Human Services - Free Medical Clinic received funds for a case manager
· Human Services - Shelter House received funds for operational expenses
· Operational Expenses - Hannah's Blessing Day Care was awarded operational funds
· Youth Programs - Eagle's Flight, Inc. used funds for operation of its youth program
· Human Services - Operational funding for Goodwill's Wheels to Work Program
· Human Services - Operational funding for Mid-Eastern Council on Chemical Abuse, Elder Services, Inc.,
and United Action for Youth
· Affordable Homeownership - Habitat for Humanity used funds to purchase land
· Affordable Rental Units - Blooming Garden LP (Project Cancelled)
· Transitional Housing - Hawkeye Area Community Action Program used funds to purchase two rental
units
· Deposit Assistance Program - Shelter House used funds to support households moving into housing or
helped them maintain a residence
· The City's Rehab Program provides funds to Iow income homeowners
· Administration- CDBG and HOME
PLANS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006
A total of $1,976,727 was allocated to 24 projects, plus aid to human service agencies and program
administration for FY06. The following is a list of the FY06 projects:
· Economic Development Fund - City of Iowa City
,, Acquisition of Property - Extend the Dream Foundation
· Facility Rehabilitation- Goodwill Industries, Inc.
· Facility Rehabilitation - Emma Goldman Clinic
· Facility Rehabilitation\Historic Preservation- Old Brick Foundation
· Facility Rehabilitation- Free Lunch Program
· Facility Rehabilitation - Domestic Violence Intervention Program
· Facility Rehabilitation - Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County
· Facility Rehabilitation - Hillel Student Center
· Facility Rehabilitation- Planned Parenthood
· Facility Rehabilitation- Free Lunch/Free Medical Clinic
· Operational Expenses- Compeer Program
· Case Management- Free Medical Clinic
· Shelter Coordinator- Shelter House
· Operational Expenses- Extend the Dream Foundation
· Emergency Assistance Program- Shelter House
· Aid to Agencies (Operational funding) - MECCA, ESI and UAY
· Affordable Homeownership- Habitat for Humanity
· Affordable Rental Units - JC Permanent Supportive Housing LP
· Affordable Homeownership- Greater Iowa City Housing Fellowship
· Affordable Rental Units - Greater Iowa City Housing Fellowship
· Transitional Housing - Hawkeye Area Community Action Program
· Affordable Rental Units - Extend the Dream Foundation
· Tenant Based Rental Assistance- Iowa City Housing Authority
· Downpayment Assistance- City of Iowa City
· Housing Rehabilitation Program - City of Iowa City
· Program Administration and Planning - City of Iowa City
CDBG and HOME funds were allocated in conjunction with the start of the City's fiscal year in July. HCDC
advertised the availability of funds for FY06 and held four public meetings to receive and evaluate the
proposals. HCDC utilized a systematic process for guiding their funding allocation and made their
recommendations to the City Council. In addition, the City Council held a public hearing on the Annual
Action Plan and proposed allocations recommended by HCDC in April. Following the public hearing the City
Council voted in May on the approval of the Annual Action Plan.
The monitoring of all ongoing projects as well as FY06 projects will continue. The commission will continue to
assess Iowa City's community development needs for housing, jobs, and services for Iow and moderate
income residents, and to promote public and private efforts to meet such needs.
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
The Human Rights Commission Report is currently in review and will be submitted at a later date.
]4
LIBRARY TRUSTEES, BOARD OF
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
The Board of Trustees of the Public Library is a semi-autonomous body of nine persons empowered by state
law and city ordinance to act as the governing body of the library. The Board's specific list of legal
responsibilities includes: determining the goals and objectives of the Library in order to plan and carry out
library services; determining and adopting written policies to govern all aspects of the operation of the
Library; preparing an annual budget and having exclusive control of all monies appropriated by the City
Council and the Johnson County Board of Supervisors or given to the library through gifts, bequests,
contracts, grants or awards; employing a competent staff to administer its policies and carry out its programs.
The Board is also an arm of City Government with members appointed by the City Council and its principal
operating funds approved by the City Council. The Board therefore seeks at all times to work in harmony
with City policies in all areas that do not conflict with its statutory powers.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN FISCAL YEAR 2005
1. Celebrated completion of the library building project with many special events, including month-long "Get
a Library Card" campaign.
2. Completed Strategic Planning process.
3. Applied for and received State accreditation at Tier 1 level.
4. Worked with a realtor to lease commercial space.
5. Approved new County contract for services to rural residents.
6. Initiated talks with Hills and joined with CoraIville Public Library to hold talks with University Heights
regarding contracts for library service.
7. Hosted reception for all county libraries and state legislators.
8. Supported new Development Director and Friends Foundation fundraising efforts with 100% Board
participation in the annual fund.
9. Welcomed and oriented two new Board members.
10. Reviewed the following policies:
Library Board Bylaws
General Personnel
Collection Development
Community Relations
Program - Library sponsored and co-sponsored
Channel 10
Conduct in the Library
Theft of Library Materials
Hours of Service
Unattended Children
Copyright Policy
Internet Use
ALA Statements
GOALS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006:
1. Lease commercial space.
2. Sign contracts for services with University Heights and Hills.
3. Work with City Council to improve parking.
4. Welcome and orient three new Board members.
5. Budget to support initiatives of new strategic plan.
6. Improve Board attendance at Friends Foundation events and show 100% Board support of the Annual
Fund.
7. Look for opportunities to extend library services outside the building.
8. Maintain good relations with area public libraries.
9. Review library policies as needed.
10. Support the library director in her year as President of the Iowa Library Association.
BOARD MEMBERS
David Van Dusseldorp, President
Thomas Dean
Kathy Gloer
Bill Korf
Linzee McCray
Linda Prybil
Pat Schnack
Tom Surer
Jim Swaim
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
The Parks and Recreation Commission recommends and reviews policies, rules, regulations, ordinances
and budgets relating to parks, playgrounds, recreation centers and cultural functions of the City, and makes
such reports to the City Council as the Commission deems in the public interest. The Commission also
exercises broad responsibility for the development of parks, recreation centers, playgrounds and cultural
facilities to serve the City, including the creation and appointment of advisory groups to make studies.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN FISCAL YEAR 2005
· Received copies of regular monthly reports from the Parks, Forestry, CBD, Recreation and Cemetery
Divisions, providing the Commission with valuable insight into the daily operation of each division.
· Received periodic reports from the Iowa City Parks and Recreation Foundation.
· Received monthly reports from the Director on the progress of all-ongoing projects, construction, etc.
· Conducted annual tour of parks and facilities.
· Recommended to City Council approval of Recreation Division Fees and Charges proposed for FY06
and tentative proposals for FY07-08.
· Reviewed and prioritized the department's proposed Capital Improvement Projects for FY2006-2009.
· Reviewed the departments proposed FY06 operating budget requests.
· Continued efforts to acquire additional personnel to maintain and develop parkland, trails and open
spaces, with emphasis on a Natural Areas Specialist.
· Dealt with a number of open space issues as follows: accepted Outlot C in the Mackinaw Village
subdivision and Outlot J in the Windsor Ridge subdivision; accepted fees-in-lieu from the Brookwood
Point subdivision and the McCollister subdivision; accepted land in the Cardinal Ridge subdivision under
the condition that an agreement could be worked out with the neighboring Walnut Ridge subdivision for a
connecting trail; turned down an offer for open space in the Village Green South subdivision due to a
lack of maintenance personnel and the fact that a parkland deficit does not exist in this district; and
turned down an offer to purchase (for $100,000) a 2-acre parcel in Wild Prairie Estates, adjacent to
Hunters Run Park.
· Projects completed in FY05 include: In cooperation with the Iowa City Community School District,
renovated Mercer Park Baseball Field #1 to comply with high school standards, thus making it the home
field for City High Baseball as well as Babe Ruth. Also in cooperation with the school district and the
Iowa City Eels Swim Club, installed a new scoreboard at the Mercer Park Aquatic Center. In partnership
with the Iowa City Kickers, provided new landscaping near both concession buildings at the Soccer Park.
Assisted Iowa City Boys' Baseball with re-building the clubhouse in City Park (work continues).
Completed construction on the new Benton Hill Park. Installed new playground equipment in Reno Street
Park. Completed parking lot projects in City Park, Happy Hollow Park, North Hickory Hill Park and Terrell
Mill Park. Completed a sewer project in Oakland Cemetery. In cooperation with the Friends of Hickory
Hill Park, installed a large stone in memory of Louise Janes, who suggested the park be named Hickory
Hill.
· Supported several PIN Grant proposals: Brookland Park Master Plan; Happy Hollow Playground
equipment; Benton Hill Park "kickoff celebration"; Galway Hills Street Trees; Saturday Night Drive-in at
Wetherby Park; and the Weber School Playground (with the recommendation that it be accessible, and
that the School District be urged to change its current policy of not funding playground projects).
· Endorsed the purchase of the McCollister property (adjacent to Sand Hill Estates) from the Iowa Natural
Heritage Foundation. The transaction was subsequently completed.
Discussed possible parks, which would be appropriate for the inclusion of public art projects.
· Supported sending a letter to the Iowa National Guard expressing an interest to partner with them and
include some public recreation facilities within their new building.
· Discussed the possibility of fund raising efforts for some of the smaller park projects, and sent a letter to
City Council expressing concern about this.
]?
· Supported staff's decision to discontinue its association with the Rugby Club.
· Heard a presentation by the "Citizens for Public Power." (No endorsement, no action).
· Had several discussions relative to a proposed "Angel of Hope" statue to be located in City Park;
subsequently took action to support this donation. Upon recommendation from the City Attorney, gave
direction that a policy be developed as to types of items that may be accepted for parks.
· Voted in support of staff working with citizen representatives to develop Bocce courts and a disc golf
course
PLANS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006
· Continue efforts to complete master plan for Parks and Recreation.
· Complete rebuilding the City Park clubhouse/press box.
· Complete a dog park on the Peninsula parkland property.
· Complete Phase I of the "Missing Link Trail."
· Expand trail system and build a fishing pier at Waterworks Prairie Park.
· In cooperation with Iowa City School District complete the construction of gymnasium at Grant Wood
School.
· Continue to pursue acquisition of S&G Materials property south of Napoleon Park.
· Complete phase one of upgrades to the Mercer Park baseball and softball diamonds.
· Begin a wide-scale park shelter replacement program.
· Install new playground equipment in Happy Hollow and Oak Grove Parks (maybe others).
· Complete the Brooklan~l Park master plan.
· Construct new restrooms and a lighted sidewalk to accommodate the Riverside Festival Stage.
· Complete a management plan and initiate components of the plan for the Sand Hill prairie area.
· Continue interaction with City Council.
· Continue efforts to increase full-time staff in the Parks, Forestry and CBD Division.
· Continue efforts to improve the Commission's contact with the public.
· Continue and enhance activities of the Parks and Recreation Foundation.
· Continue the development of the soccer complex to address soccer needs for all age groups.
· Continue commitment to and development of trail systems.
· Determine improvements that can be made to parks with small amounts of money.
· Continue efforts to strengthen relationships with the School District and Neighborhood Associations.
· Continue working relationship with Friends of Hickory Hill Park and other groups to improve park
facilities.
COMMISSION MEMBERS
Craig Gustaveson, Chairperson
Margaret Loomer, Vice-Chairperson
Judith Klink
Ryan O'Leary
Matt Pacha
Jerry Raaz
Philip Reisetter
Sarah Walz
John Westefeld
]8
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Act as the Zoning Commission of the City. Direct surveys and studies to be conducted and maps, plans, or
plats to be made compliant with the City's Comprehensive Plan and zoning regulations. Recommend
amendments and supplements to the City Council for the Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Chapter and
Subdivision Regulations. Make recommendations to the City Council on development proposals, such as
planned developments, subdivisions, street vacations and annexations.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN FISCAL YEAR 2005
During FY05 the Planning and Zoning Commission held 23 formal meetings, 8 informal meetings, 11 code
rewrite workshop meetings, and two special public hearings for the proposed zoning code. During the period
of July 1,2004, to June 30, 2005, the Commission made the following recommendations to the City Council:
Rezonings: 14 Recommendations for Approval and 1 Recommendation for Denial.
REZ04-00016 7/1/04 1.20 acres of property at 1901 Broadway St. from CO-1 to CC-2.
REZ04-00013 7/15/04 75.25 acres of property at Mackinaw Village from ID-RS to SAO/RS-5.
REZ04-00019 8/5/04 Denial of .54 acres of property located at 211 Myrtle Ave. from RS-8 to RM-12.
REZ04-00020 8/24/04 A amendment to the OPDH for Idyllwild Condominiums.
REZ04-00022 10/7/04 .33 acres of property at 611 Hollywood Blvd. from I-1 to CC-2.
REZ04-00025 10/21/04 14.3 acres of property located along Ronalds St. from RS-8 and RNC-12 to RS-
8/OHP and RNC-12/OHP.
REZ04-00026 11/04/04 20.8 acres of property located along Linn St. and along Gilbert St. from RS-8 and
RNC-12 to RS-8/OHP and RNC-12/OHP.
REZ04-00005 12/16/04 33.21 acres of property located south of Rochester Avenue, east of Scott
Boulevard, and north of Lower West Brach Road from RS-8 to SAO/RS-8 (Olde
Towne Village).
REZ04-00017 12/16/04 25.67 acres of property located on Wintergreen Dr. from RS-5 to
OPDH-5 (Village Green Parts 23 and 24).
REZ04-00030 2/17/05 50.03 acres of property located west of Highway 218 from County A1 to CC-2.
REZ05-00001 4/7/05 10.92 acres of property located west of Sycamore St. and south of Wetherby Dr.
from ID-RS to RS-5 and 18.94 acres from ID-RS to RS-8 (Brookwood Pointe).
REZ05-00004 4/21/05 54 acres of property located on Ruppert Rd from P/CI-1 to CC-2.
REZ05-00006 4/21/05 29.7 acres of property located north and east of Highway 218 and Deer Creek Rd
from County Residential to ID-ORP.
REZ05-00017 5/5/05 25.67 acres of property located on Wintergreen Drive from RS-5 to OPDH-5
(revised plan for Village Green Pads 23 and 24).
RE705-00001 5/5/05 A Sensitive Areas Overlay Zone and a Sensitive Areas Development Plan for MWD
Davis Addition, a 14-1ot, 50.04-acre commercial subdivision subject to a wetland
planting plan including the wetland buffer area prior to City Council consideration.
Subdivisions: 11 Recommendations for Preliminary Plat Approval
SUB04-00021 7/15/04 Mackinaw Village, a 75.25-acre, 165-unit subdivision on the north side
of Foster Rd.
SUB04-00022 9/2/04 Scott's Fifth, a 3.15-acre, 2-lot commercial subdivision west of Naples Ave.
SUB04-00024 9/2/04 Windsor Ridge, Part Twenty One an 11.16-acre, 2-lot residential subdivision.
SUB04-00029 10/7/04 Myrtle Ridge, a .54-acre, 3-lot residential subdivision.
SUB04-00023 10/21/04 J.J.R. Davis Second and Third Addition, a 19.81-acre, 11-1ot commercial
subdivision.
SUB04-00030 10/21/04 Saddlebrook Meadows Part One, a 18.95oacre, 47-1ot residential subdivision.
SUB04-00006 12/16/04 Olde Town Village, a 33.21-acre residential and commercial subdivision including
10 commercial lots and 62 dwelling units.
SUB04-00017 12/16/04 Village Green Parts 23 and 24, a 25.67-acre, 83-1ot subdivision.
SUB05-00005 4/7/05 Brookwood Pointe, a 29.26-acre, 106-1ot residential subdivision.
SUB04-00017 5/5/05 Village Green Parts 23 and 24 (revised), a 5.67-acre, 76-1ot residential
subdivision.
SUB05-00003 5/5/05 MWD Davis Addition, a 50.04-acre, 14-1ot commercial subdivision.
Subdivisions: 10 Recommendations for Final Plat Approval
SUB04-00016 7/1/04 East Side Ground Water Storage Reservoir, a 4 acre, single-lot subdivision.
SUB04-00026 9/2/04 Walden Wood Part 6, a 11.16-acre, 10-lot residential subdivision.
SUB04-00025 9/16/04 Windsor Ridge Part 20A, a 1.27-acre, single-lot residential subdivision.
SUB04-00027 9/16/04 Mackinaw Village Part One, a 6.53-acre, 14-1ot residential subdivision.
SUB04-00028 9/16/04 Mackinaw Village Part Two, a 68.71-acre, 56-1ot residential subdivision.
SUB04-00012 10/7/04 General Quarters, a 24.12-acre, 29-1ot residential subdivision.
SUB04-00031 1/6/05 Saddlebrook Meadows Part One, a 8.95-acre, 47-1ot residential subdivision.
SUB05-00001 4/7/05 J JR Davis Second Addition, a 14.76-acre, four-lot commercial subdivision.
SUB05-00002 4/7/05 J JR Davis Third Addition, a 5.05-acre, two-lot commercial subdivision.
$UB05-00007 4/7/05 Ashton Place, a 2.62-acre, two-lot residential subdivision.
Vacations: 2 Recommendations for Approval
VAC05-00001 2/17/05 Vacation of approximately 19,050 square feet of unimproved Dane Rd. right-of-
way.
VAC05-00004 6/16/05 Vacation of public alleys in the Peninsula Neighborhood Second Addition.
Annexations: 3 Recommendations for Approval
ANN04-00002 12/16/04 Severance of approximately 194 acres of land from the Iowa City corporate limits
to be annexed to the City of CoraIville. The property is located adjacent to Camp
Cardinal Road.
ANN04-00001 2/17/05 Annexation of 62.03 acres of property located east of Kitty Lee Road, west of
Highway 218, and north of Highway 1.
ANN05-00001 7/21/05 Annexation of 29.7 acres of property located north and east of Highway 218 and
Deer Creek Rd. for the Horton property.
Fringe Area Rezonings: 1 Recommendation for Approval
CZ04-00002 1/6/05 3.25 acres of property located east of Sand Rd. and south of Sycamore St. to be
rezoned from A-2 to RS.
Code Amendments: 1 Recommendation for Approval
2/3/05 Amended Section 14-6-O Sign Regulations, to permit electronic changeable copy signs in the
Community Commercial (CC-2), Highway Commercial (CH-l) and Intensive Commercial (C1-1)
zones.
Comprehensive Plan: 2 Recommendations for Approval
1/6/04 Amended the Comprehensive Plan to change the land use in the Southwest District Plan from Large
Lot/Rural Residential to General and Office Commercial for property located North of Highway
One, West of Highway 218 and east of Kitty Lee Rd.
4/21/05 Amended the South Central District Plan future land use map to show the Aviation Commerce
Park Property, on the north side of the airport, as Retail/Community Commercial.
Miscellaneous:
12/2/04 Amended the Northgate Corporate Park Urban Renewal Plan. The proposed additions include the
Weiler Parcel, the Jones/Southgate Development Company Parcel, and the Fuhrmeister Parcel.
PLANS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006
· Complete rewrite of Zoning and Subdivision Codes.
· Begin Central District Plan.
· Review sign regulations
· Study methods of protecting landmark trees.
· Review zoning and subdivision applications.
POLICE CITIZENS REVIEW BOARD
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Established in 1997, by ordinance #97-3792, the Iowa City Police Citizens Review Board (PCRB) consists of
five members appointed by the City Council. The PCRB has its own legal counsel.
The Board was established to assure that investigations into claims of police misconduct are conducted in a
manner that is fair, thorough, and accurate, and to assist the Police Chief, the City Manager, and the City
Council in evaluating the overall performance of the Police Department by reviewing the Police Department's
investigations into complaints. The Board is also required to maintain a central registry of complaints and to
provide an annual report setting forth the numbers, types, and disposition of complaints of police misconduct.
It may recommend that the City Council hold public forums and/or hearings designed to encourage citizens
to provide information, recommendations, and opinions about police policies, procedures, and practices. To
achieve these purposes, the Board complies with Chapter 8 of the Iowa City Code and the Board's By-Laws
and Standard Operating Procedures and Guidelines.
ACTIVITIES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2005
Meetings
The PCRB holds monthly meetings on the second Tuesday and special meetings as necessary. During
FY05 the Board held 9 meetings, each lasting up to two hours. Three meetings were cancelled, one was
due to lack of a quorum and two due to lack of board business.
ICPD Policies/Procedures/Practices Reviewed By PCRB
The ICPD regularly provides the Board with monthly Use of Force Reports, Internal Investigation Logs,
Demographic Reports and various Training Bulletins. The Department also provided various General Orders
for the Board's review and comment. A senior member of the Police Department routinely attends the open
portion of the PCRB meetings, and is available for any questions Board members have regarding these
reports.
Presentations
None.
Board Members
John Stratton's term ended in September and Beth Engel was appointed for a four-year term. Loren Horton
was re-appointed to the Board for his second four-year term. Horton was also nominated as Chair for a
second year with Greg Roth as Vice Chair.
COMPLAINTS
Number and Type of Allegations
Five complaints were filed during the fiscal year July 1, 2004 - June 30, 2005. Two public reports were
completed during this fiscal period, and two complaints were summarily dismissed. The two completed
public reports involved 3 allegations.
Allegations
Complaint #04-01
Summarily Dismissed
Complaint #04-02
1. Excessive use of force.
2. Failure to inform.
Complaint #04-03
1. Excessive use of force.
Complaint #05-01
Summarily Dismissed
Level of Review
The Board decided, by simple majority vote, the level of review to give each report, selecting one or more of
the six levels specified in the City Code per complaint:
Level a On the record with no additional investigation 2
Level b Interview or meet with complainant 0
Level c Interview or meet with named officer 0
Level d Request additional investigation by Chief or 0
City Manager, or request police assistance
in the Board's own investigation
Level e Board performs its own additional investigation 0
Level f Hire independent investigators 0
Complaint Resolutions
The Police Department investigates complaints of misconduct by police officers. The Police Chief
summarizes the results of these investigations and indicates in a report (the Chief's Report) to the PCRB
whether allegations are sustained or not sustained. (If complaints are made against the Chief, the City
Manager conducts the investigation and prepares and submits the reports.) The Board reviews both the
citizen's Complaint and the Chief's Report and decides whether the allegations should be sustained or not
sustained. The Board prepares a report which is submitted to the City Council.
Of the 3 allegations listed in the two complaints for which the Board reported, none were sustained.
The Board made comments and/or recommendations for improvement in police policy, procedures, or
conduct in two of the reports:
Complaint #04-02
PCRB finds that the ordinary procedures specified in ICPD general orders and standard operating guidelines
for use of force and for explanation of reason for arrest were adequately followed during the incident, which
occurred July 7, 2004. PCRB encourages the continued training of officers in each of these matters, and
counseling of officers to inform a person under arrest of the criminal charges, except when the person to be
arrested is actually engaged in the commission of or attempt to commit an offense, or escapes, so that there
is no time or opportunity to do so.
Complaint #04-03
It was noted by the Board that the two complaints originally made by the complainant were contained in one
allegation in the Chief's report. The Board found this condensation of allegations to be consistent with the
complainant's original complaint and concerns.
Name-Clearing Hearings
The ordinance requires that the Board not issue a report critical of the conduct of a sworn officer until after a
name-clearing hearing has been held. During this fiscal period, the Board did not schedule any name-
clearing hearings.
Mediation
Officers and complainants are notified by mail that formal mediation is available to them at any stage in the
complaint process before the Board adopts its public report. All parties involved must consent to a request
for mediation. No mediations were convened this year.
Complaint Histories of Officers
City ordinance requires that the annual report of the PCRB must not include the names of complainants or
officers involved in unsustained complaints and must be in a form that protects the confidentiality of
information about all parties. Complaints were filed against two officers in the two complaints this report
covers.
ICPD Internal Investigations Logs
The Board reviewed the quarterly ICPD Internal Investigations Log, provided by the Chief of Police.
COMPLAINT DEMOGRAPHICS
The following is demographic information from the five complaints that were filed in this fiscal year. Because
complainants provide this voluntarily, the demographic information is incomplete.
Category/Number of Complainants
A.qe: National Ori.qin: Color:
Over 21 3 US 3 White 2
Unknown 2 Unknown 2 Unknown 3
Sexual Orientation: Gender Identity: Sex:
Heterosexual 2 Male 3 Male 3
Unknown 3 Unknown 2 Unknown 2
Marital Status: Religion: Mental Disability:
Single 2 Christian 1 No 1
Married 1 Quaker 1 Yes 1
Unknown 2 Unknown 3 Unknown 3
Physical Disability:
No 1
Yes 1
Unknown 3
BOARD MEMBERS
Loren Horton, Chair
Greg Roth, Vice Chair
Roger Williams
Candy Barnhill
John Stratton/Beth Engel
PUBLIC ART ADVISORY COMMITTEE
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
The Public Art Advisory Committee was formed in 1997 after the City Council established the Iowa City
Public Art program initiated by the Arts/Business Partnership of the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce.
The first meeting of the Committee was in 1998. The Committee is comprised of seven members who
represent art professionals, the general community and City departments engaged in projects in which
public art may be incorporated. The Committee was charged with developing the Iowa City Public Art
Program, including by-laws for the Committee and procedures for the commissioning, procurement,
maintenance, and deaccessioning of public art.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN FISCAL YEAR 2005
· Completed design work for the tile way-finding feature of the Court Street Transportation Center,
collaborating with art classes at Longfellow Elementary School On tile designs.
· Installed the neighborhood art components in Goosetown (geese street sign finials) and Longfellow
(historic markers and trail sculpture) neighborhoods.
· Began the neighborhood planning phase for the Melrose Neighborhood and Wetherby Friends and
Neighbors Neighborhood Art projects.
· Installed Politically Purple by Jerry Cowger for FY2006 in Iowa Sculptor's Showcase on the
pedestrian mall.
· Displayed poetry from local children and adults in buses and in the kiosks downtown as part of the
Poetry in Public program.
· Established the Peninsula Park rotating sculpture project in conjunction with students from the UI
Art Program (installation relocated temporarily to Willow Creek Park due to delays in the Iowa River
power dam project).
· Commissioned John Coyne to design and create Houses of the Northside for installation on the
street signs in the neighborhood as part of the Neighborhood Art Project.
· Commissioned Joseph Prescher to design and install an entry arch to Benton Hill Park in
collaboration with the Miller- Orchard Neighborhood Association.
· Revised the Neighborhood Art Program to require involvement of an artist in any neighborhood art
projects.
· Created a display highlighting the Public Art Program for Arts Fest in collaboration with architects
from Shive-Hattery.
· Began planning for an Art in the Park program, evaluating city park locations for FY06 projects.
· Reviewed and supported a proposal for Art by the Yard, a community wide event(s) showcasing
local artists and their "yard art"
PLANS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006
· Evaluate and explore electronic and other sources of surveying community opinion regarding Public
Art.
· Publish and distribute maps of current inventory of public art in collaboration with others, such as
the Cultural Alliance and the CVB.
· Evaluate and solicit various alternative funding sources to increase program revenue.
· Continue the Poetry in Public program.
· Update the existing artist database
· Complete installation of the Houses of the Northside on area street markers.
· Complete installation of the arch in Benton Hill Park (completed 8-10-05)
· Complete installation of the fence and tiles in the Transportation Center.
· Solicit sculptors for FY07 for the Iowa Sculptors Showcase program and the Peninsula Park rotating
display.
· Pursue commissions for Art in the Parks for the Iowa City Kickers Park and the South Sycamore
Greenway.
· Complete the Melrose and Wetherby NA art projects.
· Participate in the first year of the Art by the Yard project to whatever degree necessary.
REVIEW, BOARD OF
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
The Board of Review is established and governed by the Code of Iowa, Chapters 441.31 to 441.44, for the
purpose of equalizing assessments by raising or lowering individual assessments as established by the
Assessor. The Board also makes the final rulings each year on exempt properties.
The Iowa Department of Revenue issues to the Board of Review a manual to guide them in their work. The Board must also
file a report on their session with the State Director of Revenue within 15 days of adjournment. The Board's meetings are
subject to the open meetings law. The Board also must include in their written notice to the petitioner the specific reasons
for their actions.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN FISGAL YEAR 2005
The following is a report on the activities of the Iowa City Board of Review since adjournment on May 14, 2004.
The Iowa City Board of Review met on 12 days during the period of May 2 to May 31, 2005. The Board
received a total of 208 petitions. These have been broken down into classification along with their outcome
and are listed below.
132 Residential 76 Upheld 56 Denied
75 Commercial 48 Upheld 27 Denied
1 Industrial 1 Upheld
208 Total 125 Upheld 83 Denied
By the filing deadline of June 20, 2005, ten property owners representing fourteen commercial properties and I residential
property have filed appeals in District Court. One appeal has been dropped by the property owner.
All other court cases from previous years have been dropped or settled during FY05.
PLANS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006
Since the Board of Review hears only protests brought to them by others, there is no way to predict the amount
of work for next year. But, because next year is not a reassessment year, the workload is expected to be much
lighter than the session just finished.
SENIOR CENTER COMMISSION
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
The Senior Center Commission is composed of seven members with renewable three-year terms. Six
Commission members are appointed by the City Council. The seventh at-large member is appointed by a
majority vote of the six Council appointees and is a Johnson County resident who lives outside of Iowa City.
Duties and powers of the Commission include serving in an advisory role to the City Council with regard to
the needs of the Senior Center. Commission members make recommendations with regard to policies and
programs and join staff and other interested persons in seeking adequate financial resources for the
operation of the Center. They encourage full participation of senior citizens in Center programs and activities
and work to ensure that the Center is well integrated into the community. Commissioners encourage
partnering with other organizations to meet the needs of senior citizens, serve in an advocacy role with
regard to the needs of senior citizens; and assist the City Manager in the evaluation of personnel.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN FISCAL YEAR 2005
· Monitored the success of the participant cost sharing membership program. While Most Senior Center
programming is open to the public, Senior Center memberships provide people with expanded access to
the facility and programming. During Fiscal Year 2005 memberships increased by 113 to a total of 933.
Approximately 9% of all members received Iow-income discounts with total membership sales generating
$22,028 in operational revenue.
· Approved the creation of a donor supported Scholarship Fund intended to support membership and
class fees for Iow-income individuals.
· Used the private non-profit group, Iowa City Senior Center Fund, Inc., to manage assets in the Iowa City
Senior Center Endowment and Iowa City Senior Center Charitable Giving Accounts held in the
Community Foundation of Johnson County. At year's end the Iowa City Senior Center Endowment and
the Iowa City Charitable Giving Account held $108,130 and $51,863 respectively.
· Approved and supported plans developed by the City of Iowa City Finance Department and Senior
Center staff to reorganize management of the Center's Gift Fund and operational budget. As a result, all
programming and facility expenses and revenues have been incorporated in to the operational budget.
The Gift Fund is used as a shod-term depository for donations to the Senior Center that are non-
designated or designated by the donor for the Senior Center Endowment or Senior Center Charitable
Giving Account. Contributions to the Scholarship Fund are maintained in the Gift Fund and transferred
to the operational budget as needed to fund the Iow-income scholarship program.
· Encouraged and received $7,048 in designated donations from participants and community members to
support Fiscal Year 2005 operational expenses. These donations were deposited directly in to the
Center's operational budget.
· Requested and facilitated the transfer of $38,863 from the Center's Gift Fund to the appropriate accounts
in the Community Foundation of Johnson County. This included donor designated funds for the Senior
Center Endowment and Charitable Giving Accounts colleted in Fiscal Year 2005 and all undesignated
donations collected over a period of several years (including Fiscal Year 2005). Decisions about
whether to deposit undesignated funds in the Center's Endowment or Charitable Giving Account were
based upon where the donation would best support the goals and mission of the Center.
· Supported a successful effort to renew a Community Television Group grant to fund the part-time
temporary Video Specialist position.
· Encouraged and expressed appreciation for longstanding fundraising efforts like the annual quilt raffle, the
Senior Center Quilting volunteers and the Dollar-a-Month Club.
· Endorsed reallocation of approved operational funding to create a permanent half-time clerical assistant
position.
· Supported promotional efforts to increase membership and educate the community about Center
programs and services. This included such things as newspaper advertisements, mailings, modifications
in the content and appearance of the Post Program Guide and newsletter, and widely publicized
programs that are open to the public.
· Reviewed and approved an agreement to be used with independent contractors who use the Center to
offer a class or program. The agreement clarifies the responsibilities of the Center and the independent
contractor.
· Recognized staff efforts in coordinating 520 volunteers who worked a total of 29,111 hours to support
Center programming between January 1,2004 and December 31,2004.
· Sponsored the 2005 Volunteer Recognition Breakfast honoring the volunteers who supported the operation
of the Center during calendar year 2004.
· Endorsed and commended staff efforts to develop innovative programming intended to expand
participation without compromising current participation.
· Supported staff efforts to provide meaningful learning experiences for University of Iowa students who
pursued opportunities at the Center as a part of their academic training. These students represented
diverse academic areas including Aging Studies, Social Work, Nursing, Multi-media and Journalism.
· Continued to evaluate current building uses and explore options for expanding access to the facility and
the hours of operation without compromising visitor safety or building security.
· Approved the purchase of a grand piano, upgrades to the computer lab and acquisition of an Automatic
External Defibrillator.
· Continued to encourage members of the Johnson County Board of Supervisors to consider re-entering a
28E Agreement related to the funding and operation of the Center with the City of Iowa City.
· Provided regular updates to the members of the Iowa City Council and Johnson County Board of
Supervisors on Senior Center issues, activities, and programs and wrote a monthly column reporting on
Commission activities for posting on the Center's webpage.
· Continued to support Senior Center participation in community activities and collaborative programming.
· Supported the purchase and related staff training on software to improve the tracking of such things as
membership, donations, participation room use and mailing lists.
· Appointed Commission members to join with representatives from the Participant Advisory Committee and
meet with representatives from the Iowa City Parking and Transit Department. This committee evaluated
intermittent parking congestion in Tower Place parking ramp that makes it difficult for participants to attend
Center programs. Through the efforts of this committee additional handicapped parking spaces were
created and parking fees in Tower Place were adjusted to discourage long term parking.
· Pursued the creation of a new strategic plan. To this end the Commission: 1) reviewed the previous
strategic plan and evaluated progress made in achieving the stated goals; 2) endorsed the creation,
implementation and evaluation of a membership survey that was completed by the members of the
Participant Advisory Committee (Sally Jablonski, John Conner, Ken Fearing, Dawn Rogers, Rae
Blanchard, Irene Bowers and Stan Aldinger); 3) joined the staff in conducting focus groups among
community members who are not participants at the Center; 4) did an extensive review of current literature
describing current trends in aging and senior centers; and, 5) invited members of the Center's Participant
Advisory Committee and Curriculum Committee to share all this information and participate in a
professionally facilitated strategic planning session.
PLANS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006
· Complete the strategic planning process. Produce relevant and clear goals that will focus staff, participant
and Commission efforts and expand community participation in Center programming. Participate in the
implementation of goals and evaluation of efforts to attain them.
· Continue attempts to facilitate Center budgeting by reviving discussions with the Johnson County Board of
Supervisors and City of Iowa City City Council in order to create a 28E Agreement that is agreeable to all
parties. The 28E Agreement should identify, among other things, a level of annual operational funding the
County will provide the Center over a several year period.
· Monitor the effectiveness of all fundraising activities. Modify existing activities as necessary and implement
new activities as needed in order to reach fundraising goals. Identify and cultivate potential supporters and
contributors.
· Actively solicit donations to the Senior Center Endowment and Scholarship Fund.
· Promote a positive awareness of the Senior Center throughout the community.
· Continue to explore and evaluate new funding sources and revenue generating measures.
· Review and update the Operational Handbook. Revise, develop and approve new policies as needed.
· Continue to support community partnerships to enrich programming as well as participation in community
activities that promote recognition of the Center as a valuable downtown resource for seniors and other
members of Johnson County.
· Continue to promote efficient building usage through analysis and reallocation of available building space.
· Further facilitate open lines of communication between Senior Center Commission, staff, and participants.
Strengthen mechanisms for meaningful participant and community involvement in the operation of the
Senior Center.
COMMISSION MEMBERS
Jay Honohan, Chair
Betty Kelly, Vice-Chair
Charity Rowley, Secretary
Lori Benz
Jo Hensch
Nancy Wombacher
Sarah Maiers*
* Appointed by Senior Center Commission
All other members appointed by the Iowa City City Council
TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
The Iowa City Telecommunications Commission (ICTC) is a city commission comprised of five Iowa City
residents and is mandated to facilitate and to regulate the smooth and effective development and operation
of the City's Broadband Telecommunications Network (BTN), the City's cable television system, as well as
advise on telecommunications related matters. The Commission makes its recommendations to City Council
in matters pertaining to the BTN, resolves disputes about the operation of the BTN, conducts periodic
evaluations of the BTN operation, and in general facilitates BTN use by the citizens of Iowa City, which
includes the promotion and facilitation of the access channels and community programming.
ACCOMLISHMENTS IN FISCAL YEAR 2005
Participated in and oversaw the completion of the franchise renewal agreement and enabling ordinance,
including conducting a subscriber survey, taking community input from stakeholders and holding a public
hearing
Oversaw a proposed basic service rate increase by Mediacom and a reduction of that proposed rate
Monitored Mediacom's roll out of Digital Video Recording (DVR) and Video on Demand (VOD) services and
an increase in cable modem user bit rate capability
Monitored proposed state and Federal legislation that would potentially prohibit municipally owned
telecommunications infrastructures and eliminate local franchising authority
Reviewed annual reports submitted by the Cable TV Division, PATV and the ICPL
Reviewed subscriber complaints reported by the Cable TV Administrator
Reviewed all City cable TV related funds, including the franchise fees, cable TV pass through and PATV
funds
Oversaw the budgeting process for cable TV
Oversaw distribution of pass through funds to the Community Television Group (CTG)
Received monthly program and progress reports from the Cable TV Administrator, City Channels 4 and
InfoVision channel 5, Library Channel 10, PATV Access Channel 18, Educational Channel 21 and Senior
Citizen Television (SCTV)
Each of the access channels continued to be productive throughout the year. PATV continued to playback
programming 24 hours a day, won an award from the Alliance for Community Media (ACM) and gave
workshops including one to UAY, the schools and a Media Literacy Workshop
The ICPL continued to produce programming and played back a 24 hour a day schedule. In addition the
ICPL installed new production equipment to improve programming
The Cable TV Division initiated a new Video on Demand (VOD) service on InfoVision Channel 5, produced a
Video Voter Project (VVP) on candidates that was distributed statewide, and continued their 24 hour a day
playback schedule.
The University of Iowa Channel installed new digital video playback systems and dramatically improved
programming production numbers
GOALS FOR FY2006
Oversee the completion of PATV contract renewal
Oversee the status and future plans of all access channels
3O
From Council Member Vanderhoef
Johnson County Paratransit Advisory Board
Minutes
July 8, 2005
Goodwill Industries Plant, 1401 First Ave., Iowa City
Present:
Members: Dee Vnnderhoef, Lynne Stamus, Chris Reynolds, Terrence Neuzil. Sally Stnt.qman~ Valerie Scher
Ex-Offw/o: Nancy Snider Overstreet, Goodwill Industries, Willinm Gormnn. Systems Unlimited, David Purdy, Elderly
Services
Others: Tom Brase, SEATS Director, Kelly Lanham, SEATS Billing Supervisor, Jen Samek,
Bionic Cambus, William Gorman, Systems Unlimited.
Absent: Mike O'DonnelL Iowa City, Tom Gill, Coralville
1. Call to Order:
Dee Vanderhoef, Chairperson, called the meeting to order al 11:02. Tom Brase introduced a new member and SEATS
rider, Valerie Scher, and welcomed her to the Advisory Board. Introductions were made around the table.
2_. Chalrperso, n's Report:
Vanderhoef gave an update on the Federal T~on Bill. The conference conunittee has been selected. She knows
that Representative Nussel is on the committee for the House side but does not know for sure if Senator Grassley is on the
committee. He has always had a big interest in transportation so it would not surprise her if he would be on it.
Vanderhoef also reported on seeing a demonstration of a new transit vehicle called PRT (Personal Rapid Transit). She saw
it first via computer and then took a 30 foot ride in a model PRT car. It runs on a magnetic electrical track that takes only a
three foot fight-of-way because it is elevated. Vanderhoef reported that it was very developmental and rapid with speeds
up to 55 mph. In a mock up that was done in the Minneapolis area with the propo~xl mute going across the city, it would
take seven minutes by PRT as opposed to thirty minutes by freeway. The cars are small (look like VW Beetle) and hold up
to three adults & luggage. Seats fold back so it can take wheelchairs. It can reverse directions to change with rush hour
traffic and has other futuristic features. Vanderhoef sees it as having possibilities for Iowa City. The web site named
"Skyway" has information on the PRT. During the demonstration Vanderhoef asked for a cost comparison of building the
PRT versus constructing a highway; the answer given was that it would bel5 cents to a dollar. Vanderhoef has requested
of the conference board ~ha~ they watch for these alternative transportation systems.
Nancy Overstreet asked if the station for this vehicle is on ground level or above ground. Vanderhoef said presently it is
being shown stopping al the 16 foot level; second story level. Locations such as airports, hotels, shopping centers,
hospitals would be no problem. It would make remote parking more feasible. Making an accessible station at other sites
will need more development.
Stamus: said she has been busy telephoning congressmen to get information on the transportation committee and was
informed by the Chair that the new committee was now complete in selection of members.
3. Director's Repert:
a. Introduction of new Billing Supervisor:. The director introduced the new Billing Supervisor, Kelly Lanhara. Kelly
was formerly a driver for SEATS and has the experience and education to q~mlify for this position..
b. Fiscal Year End Performance review reports: Brase updated the previous meeting's FY05 Trips and Performance
Measures Report by stating that the number of trips for FY05 showed an increase of 2,040 trips over the year before.
Demand for Wansit systems is growing rapidly and North Liberty is looking into a future Iransit system. He mentioned
how well the SEATS program is coordinated with Iowa City, Coralville and Johnson County. It is a system that
provides service for all three admini~qtmtions under one roof which helps the efficiency of the Imratmnsit service.
c. Advisory Committee Vaeamcy: There is another vacancy for a new member/rider. Donna Ahens resigned from the
committee as of July 1.
Discussion:
Brase said that there is no word on the new facility yet. SEATS was selected for a Federal Transit Audit and did quite
well. The audit showed that there were twelve things to work on but having to do with only six areas. The people
that did the audit were impressed and said SEATS is doing very well. Director of IDOT, Peter Hallick, congratulated
SEATS also.
Neuzil commented, about North Liberty and the transportation meeting. Brase said he was impressed with the people
in attendance at the meeting: Peter Hallick of IDOT, representatives from Representative Leach's and Senator
Harkin's office, Jeff Davidson of JCCOG, Ron Logsden of Iowa City Transit, and Vicky Robrock of Comlville
Transit, Sally Stutsman from Johnson County Board of Supervisors, and Mayor Pate of Cedar Rapids. Smtsman said
it was an exploratory meeting for North Liberty and they are looking at a lot of options. She thinks Mayor Pate is
pushing for the train system but that everything is still on the table for now. Tom Brase mentioned that David
Franker would be meeting with him next month to talk about using SEATS, possibly on a deviated fixed route. Asked
what the average number of riders SEATS lakes to and from North Liberty, Brase said SEATS transports about a
dozen per day three days a week. He has also talked tO the University Dialysis Center that has a center in North
Liberty and to Greenwood Manor that is planning a facility there. Greenwood Manor hopes to set something up with
SEATS for transportation to North Liberty. Purdy asked how the feeder system would work differently from what
SEATS is doing now. Brase answered that there would be a set time that they would drop riders off at Oaknoll
Campus for Cambus Transit and Coralville for Coralville Transit. Braze conceives it would work as a link to local
transit, but would not want to interfere with the University shared fide system that is already established.
Vanderhoef spoke about bus passes for employees. She explained that ff a company wants to give their employees
passes and take on shared cost, it is available. But she is not aware of any company taking advantage of that now.
Since m~tny employees of the larger manufacturing plants come from outside the city, she sees possibilities for remote
lots and a shuttle system.
Brasc and Neuzil agreed that the proposed railway, Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, would serve mostly tourism.
Vanderhoef explained that citizens ask for information on transit and she thinks that some money should be put into
the project and then put the matter to rest. The last information from a rail study is that the corridor area within 2
miles of the route would need one million population to get Rail Transit system. Stutsman added that with the rising
fuel costs people will have to change in time. Gorman said that a rail system for Cedar Rapids/Iowa City is very
unlikely. The large cities are in greater need of mass transit train systems and have the population to warrant it
4. Old Business:
a. Approval of Last Meeting's Minutes: Nuezil moved to approve the minutes, Stamus seconded the motion and the
minutes were approved with none dissenting.
b. Reminder Notice for Group Home Staff: A mock up of the reminder notice was passed around: a couple of
corrections and clarification were suggested and Brase agreed to see the corrections are made and send the corrected
form out for approval by e-mail to the members of the committee. It is a reminder notice that would go out to group
homes or agencies to remind staff what number to call for scheduling, cancellations and changes. They would then be
distributed to agencies and homes by SEA TS drivers.
Chris Reynolds said as an example that she did not know who to call when she had both a cancellation and a change
in her schedule. Brase told her that both the Dispatcher and Scheduler could do that
Bmse explained the problems with SEATS the day of the meeting had been that the electricity in Coralville went out.
The building lights went out and he contacted the radio stations to give them our cell phone number. Bill Homing
was able to let the right people know that this was an emergency and they got the power on o~in quickly.
Vanderhoef wondered how effective the radio would be in an emergency like this. Brase said that the SEATS drivers
communicated the problem to staflat agencies and homes. SEATS still had radio contact with the drivers.
5. New Business:
Stamns asked Brase if SEATS falls under the same Homeland Security regulations as the city transit system. Brase
affirmed this absolutely. If there would be a disaster or emergency situation, paratransit would be diverted to the disaster
location and the service would be delayed for a while. He cited an example that happened in ^tlanta. Vande&oef recalled
that buses were diverted on two occasions in the past
6. General Discussion:
Samek of Bionic Cambus let the committee know that a bus driver for Cambus won the large bus competition m the State
ROADEO. Brase added that Rob Liittschwager got third in the small bus category. A discussion on aspects of the state
ROADEO followed. Two drivers from SEATS and five drivers from Cambus went. Cambus has a preliminary contest to
choose the participants.
7. Date and Time of Next Meeting:
The Chairperson had a conflict with the suggested date for the next meeting and it was agreed by the committee that the
date of the next meeting would be September 30 at 11:00 A. M.
8. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 11:48 by the chair.
SCATTERED SITE HOUSING TASKFORCE
APRIL 25, 2005
HARVAT HALL, CITY HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Don Anciaux, Jerry Anthony, Darlene Clausen, Matthew Hayek, Jan Left, Jan
Peterson, Sally Stutsman, Joan Vandenberg
STAFF PRESENT: Steve Nasby, Steve Rackis
OTHERS PRESENT: Amanda Cline, Maryann Dennis, Charles Eastham, Tracy Glaesemann, Luke
Pelz, Patti Santangelo
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Hayek called the hearing to order at 4:35 pm.
APPROVAL OF MARCH 28, 2005 AND APRIL 24, 2005 MINUTES:
Hayek asked if there were revisions for the March 28 Minutes. Several typographical edits submitted for
the Minutes.
MOTION: A motion was made by Stutsman, seconded by Peterson, to approve the March 28, 2005
Minutes as amended. Motion carried unanimously.
Anciaux arrived.
Hayek asked if there were revisions for the April 4, 2005 Minutes. Several typographical edits submitted
for the Minutes. Hayek suggested a change on page four in the first full paragraph to say, "the project was
still funded by IFA." Anthony agreed.
MOTION: A motion was made by Stutsman, seconded by Left, to approve the April 18, 2005 Minutes as
amended. Motion carried unanimously.
DISCUSSION OF DRAFT RECOMMENDATIONS FROM TASKFORCE TO CITY COUNCIL:
Hayek reviewed the progress from the last meeting. He noted that several of the original recommendation
points were revised or clarified, while some items were tabled for further discussion. The packets sent to
the Taskforce members for the current meeting included a draft of the updated recommendations, dated
April 19, 2005. He said that is the current working draft and asked whether the Taskforce would like to
talk about the matrix first, or after reviewing the other points. General agreement expressed to discuss the
matrix first.
Vandenberg said she and Anthony worked on the matrix, and they both think it is important to evaluate
the assisted units in a context containing all housing units, rather than just rental units. If the Taskforce
would like more rental units to go into more neighborhoods, it makes sense for the comparison to be with
all units in the block groups. However, using the matrix numbers with all units naturally leads to the
percentages of assisted units being smaller.
Stutsman asked for a definition of "all" housing units. Anthony said it is both rental and owner-occupied.
Vandenberg agreed it would be all households, and noted that the data had been included on one of the
earlier drafts of the matrix, but then was not used. Anthony said data included since January has been
rental only, so changing to all units is a large shift from previous discussions. Vandenberg noted for
example in tract 105 that the number of rental units is 109, while the total number of household units is
780. As such the percentage of the 75 assisted units in the tract is a very different percent when
compared to 780 total units, versus on the t09 rental units.
Vandenberg said she and Anthony were also looking at ways to evaluate the nature of the assisted
housing units. There is a continuum in the community of emergency housing, transitional housing, and
housing for the elderly and disabled. Additional columns on the matrix would indicate the numbers of
elderly/disabled units, and emergency/transitional units in each block group. The idea is to have the total
Scattered Site Housing Taskforce Minutes
April 25, 2005
Page 2
number of assisted units, but also to have the data divided three different ways, to see the different
housing types.
Clausen asked for confirmation that the new columns would have data only from different types of
housing, such as elderly\disabled. Vandenberg said yes, the first new column indicates the number of
assisted housing units, excluding the elderly/disabled and emergency/transitional. The next column
indicates how many emergency/transitional units are in an area, since those types of housing have a
higher need for other services nearby. The third column has the total number of all assisted housing units.
The block group would be flagged if any of those three columns were higher than the city average.
Vandenberg continued by noting that block groups will vary in the number of flags in those three columns.
If all three columns are flagged, that area would be a "low" priority for additional assisted housing. She
said Nasby suggested block groups with two flags would be areas to encourage "home ownership". One
flag would be "medium" priority for additional housing, while no flags would have a "high" priority. This
goes back to gradations in incentives, rather than an eithedor approach to future development of assisted
units. The idea is to look at the different types of housing without being exclusionary.
Vandenberg said another option for an additional column would be the "potential for development" in a
particular area. She said that another column could be added to indicate an area's accessibility to other
services and jobs, though that is not something for this Taskforce to evaluate. Peterson suggested
including that column but leaving it blank, to keep that issue in mind for those who look at the matrix later.
Stutsman asked if the matrix would be included with the materials given to City Council. Vandenberg said
yes, after the Taskforce approves it. Vandenberg said the Taskforce needs to decide if the percentages
on the new matrix should be flagged if they are above the city average, or if the city average numbers
should be multiplied by 110 percent.
Anthony added that the data for both the number of assisted rental units and the number of all rental units
should be from the same year, which has not yet been adjusted. Currently the number of assisted units is
from 2004, while the number of all units is from the 2000 Census (data collected in 1999). He also said
the development potential and access to services columns have not been incorporated into the matrix yet.
Not having those three things, he and Vandenberg evaluated the current data and shifted the focus from
just rental units to include all units.
Anthony said he and Vandenberg have not concluded yet how to construct the matrix. He agreed that a
decision needs to be made whether to use the citywide average or something else. If something else, that
method needs to be developed and explained.
Hayek asked what led to the three new columns. Vandenberg said she thinks the elderly/disabled
housing skews the data, since that type of assisted housing has a lower impact on the neighborhood. At
the same time, emergency and transitional housing has a much higher impact because of the needs that
accompany families at that level. The third column, including all units, might be redundant. Peterson said
she likes having the three columns there, dividing the data into the different types.
Anthony said the largest change was from counting only rental units to counting all units. Hayek asked
what the rationale was for that change. Anthony said some block groups do not have many rental units
overall. For example, tract 105 has 109 rental units and 80 of them are assisted. One of the
recommendations said there should be a better distribution of rental units, both assisted and unassisted.
Using data from all units will target the distribution of rental units.
Stutsman asked what definition would be used for potential for development. Vandenberg said it would
probably be new construction, but that does not address the potential for acquisition or rehab of current
units. Peterson said rehab units were supposed to be discussed at this meeting. Hayek said that was
more along the lines of not limiting funding for maintenance of existing units.
Anciaux asked if "existing" meant a unit that is already a transitional housing unit, or an existing unit that
would be converted into a new transitional unit. Hayek said it is not about changing the type of housing,
but allowing funds to be put into maintaining an existing unit currently owned by HACAP.
Scattered Site Housing Taskforce Minutes
April 25, 2005
Page 3
Peterson said she was unsure which rehab situation was being addressed at the public hearing. Anciaux
said he understood the question to be about purchasing a dilapidated unit and renovating and converting
it into a new transitional housing unit. Hayek said that he thought that was a separate issue. Peterson
agreed that is another situation the Taskforce should clarify. Hayek said he understood it to be a question
of funding current transitional units for maintenance. Anciaux said he understood it to mean buying and
rehabilitating a unit, thus increasing the number of transitional units. Peterson agreed with Anciaux's
understanding, that it was not a new building, but would be a new transitional unit.
Hayek said he sees no difference between building a new unit versus converting an existing unit in an
affected area. Peterson said that was the question. Vandenberg asked Nasby if he has anything to add
regarding how to better define new versus rehab. Nasby said the City has funded straight acquisition with
HACAP and Successful Living, mostly with transitional housing. They identify the unit and purchase it,
and it becomes part of their stock, so it does not involve building or rehabbing. They have also done
solely a rehab of property.
Vandenberg asked if new construction or converting existing units is easier. Nasby said no way is easy,
but there are benefits to both approaches. Dennis asked if an applicant for federal aid through the city
generally knows where a new unit will be going. Nasby said not necessarily as the last few projects the
City funded did not have sites. Dennis said when the Housing Fellowship applies for new units; they do
not always know where they will be located. They have a budget and a general per unit cost. Nasby
agreed that is how it usually works. Anciaux asked if the Fellowship is required to locate units in Iowa
City. Dennis said yes, if the funding is administered by Iowa City, but they do have units in Coralville, and
owner-occupied units in Lone Tree that were not City funded.
Vandenberg suggested calling the column potential for new construction instead, since it would be difficult
to evaluate areas for other types of construction so that might clarify things. Left asked if access to
services refers primarily to transportation. Vandenberg said she was thinking about where jobs are and
where transportation systems are. Peterson said they would be things that are necessary to sustain self-
sufficiency. Clausen asked if it would include childcare.
Hayek asked how the potential for development and access to services would play into the matrix.
Vandenberg said she sees those as the second part of the process in identifying areas for development.
This approach would identify the ideal place to develop, which has access to those services and a Iow
concentration of existing assisted housing. Those things would not necessarily be part of the policy, but
would be additional information to consider when looking at future development.
Hayek asked if those columns would affect the preference column. Vandenberg said maybe. Peterson
said even if that column is blank, she would like to include it in the materials given to the Council as items
that should be investigated when pursuing future development. Anthony noted access to services was
addressed several times at the public hearing, so it would be helpful to address it.
Hayek asked if anything could be decided on at this meeting that would help the subcommittee with their
next step. Stutsman said it appeared that all the Taskforce members were in agreement to add the new
columns. Anthony said he has some concerns about the columns, most importantly the question of what
the cutoff should be. He asked if the cutoff should be the city average or something else.
Peterson suggested looking at both options, to see which most closely demonstrates what the Taskforce
is trying to say. She does not know how the data will appear. Vandenberg noted that the data needs to be
updated before it can be evaluated.
Peterson asked how 110 percent is different from "more than 10 percent above the city average."
Anthony said for example if a tract has 20 assisted units and 1000 total units, assisted units comprise 2
percent of the total. If the city average is .5 percent, 110 percent of .5 percent would be .55 percent. With
the CITY STEPS approach, adding 10 percent to the city average, the percent would instead be 10.5
percent. So the difference is between .55 percent and 10.5 percent.
Anthony noted that any cutoff except the CITY STEPS approach would have to be explained and justified.
He said a third option would be to use the city average, and a fourth option is to use two times the
standard deviation, which is fairly common in statistical analysis. Any value that is two standard
Scattered Site Housing Taskforce Minutes
April 25, 2005
Page 4
deviations on either side of the mean would be considered an extreme case. Peterson asked for
confirmation that CITY STEPS adds 10 percent to the city average. Anthony said yes.
Nasby said that as an example, in CITY STEPS, the citywide average is used in showing Iow and
moderate-income concentrations. The City average of Iow-moderate income household is 53 percent, so
anything higher than 63 percent is concentrated by that definition. He noted that the 10% approach in
CITY STEPS deals with larger percentages. Vandenber9 added that the percentages of assisted units
are very small now that all housing units are figured into the data. Anthony said that CITY STEPS
percentages are small as well. Anciaux said that even though the percentages are small, problem areas
could still be identified. Anthony agreed.
Hayek asked if the Taskforce could decide the statistical question at this time. Anthony said a judgment
call should be made on which method to use, and then see what the results look like. Stutsman
suggested going with the CITY STEPS option, since it has been used before. Anthony agreed that would
be the easiest approach as far as the easiest to defend, since it is already established, but others might
disagree on whether it would reflect what the Taskforce is saying.
Hayek said that without the elderly/disabled unit numbers, a 10 percent rule would not flag any block
groups. Peterson agreed that she is concerned that the number would be so big that all the work up to
this point would be useless. Anthony said that with total assisted units, the citywide average is 4.07, and
there are block groups with greater than 14 percent. Anciaux asked which ones. Anthony said 4.1 and
21.2, but 18.2 is not flagged using the citywide average, though it would be flagged with transitional
housing. Hayek asked what the citywide average of emergency/transitional housing is. Vandenberg said
that with the current numbers, the average is .5 percent, which would then translate to 10.5 percent as
being the threshold.
Hayek noted that nothing in two of the three new columns would be flagged using that method. Peterson
said, as such, she is concerned by that approach. Hayek said in the third column, only two block groups
are flagged. Anciaux asked which two are flagged. Hayek said 4.1 and 21.2. Anciaux noted that 21.2
would include student populations.
Hayek said he does not know specifics about the standard deviation approach. Anthony said he has not
applied it to this issue, but it is a fairly common statistical measure. Peterson agreed. Hayek asked if it
would be difficult to explain, and asked for an explanation of how it would work. Anthony said if the city
average for all assisted units is 4.07, and the standard deviation is 1 percent, then any value above 4.07
plus two times one, or 6.07, would be concentrated.
Vandenberg asked how the standard deviation would be calculated. Anthony said the software would
calculate it. Vandenberg asked approximately what it would be. Anthony said it depends on the
distribution and there is no way to know ahead of time. Vandenberg said she is concerned that whatever
method used should catch all the nuances of the data, considering the very small percentages. Peterson
said that seeing all the results of the different methods would be helpful. Anthony said the data can be
calculated using all the methods very easily, but defending the method might be more difficult.
Peterson asked for confirmation that, in terms of explaining and justifying it, the method applying 110
percent would be the most difficult to use. Anthony agreed. He asked if the data should be calculated
using all four methods. Hayek agreed.
Hayek asked if there was consensus to use data from the same year for consistency's sake. Anciaux
agreed, if the data is available. Peterson asked which way the data should be adjusted, and if the census
data can be updated. Anthony said city staff has provided the total number of new units constructed since
1999, though that does not include the block groups where they are located.
Nasby said building permit information could be used from 2000-2004. It does not indicate whether the
structure was actually built, but it would give some idea on the number. That information can then be
geocoded to give the block group locations. He said the other method would be to discount assisted
housing built since 2000. Peterson said she would prefer not to discount the assisted housing built after
2000. Anthony agreed that if data on units built since the census is available, it should be used.
Scattered Site Housing Taskforce Minutes
April 25, 2005
Page 5
Rackis said that a much larger number of unassisted rental units have been built since 2000 than
assisted units. Out of 2000 units built in that time, only 75 are assisted. Anciaux asked how many of the
2000 units are in the Lodge. Nasby said about 220. Hayek asked how long it would take to gather that
information. Glaeseman said it is done and would be available for the next meeting. Hayek asked if there
was consensus to update the census data to include new construction since 2000. The Taskforce
members agreed.
Hayek asked about the "access to services" and "potential for development" columns. Anthony said the
subcommittee has yet to come up with some measures for those two. Vandenberg said she thinks those
items are in the implementation phases, which are included only as topics for consideration while
developing an overall plan. Peterson agreed. Hayek said the Taskforce could suggest the city consider
those aspects. He asked whether the columns should be included. Peterson said she would like them to
be included, even if they are blank. If it is only in the narrative, it might get lost.
Dennis noted that there are not any services available where land has not been developed. Rackis said
that there are no bus routes in the peninsula area yet. Vandenberg asked if a route would be put in that
area. Rackis said it is a matter of supply and demand.
Hayek asked about the three new columns. Vandenberg reiterated that they would be the percent
assisted without elderly/disabled, percent of emergency and transitional, and percent of all assisted units.
Peterson said she already stated her opinion. Anthony said he and Vandenberg have not discussed the
new columns.
Anciaux asked if a heavier weight could be put on emergency and transitional housing. Anthony said yes.
Anciaux asked if that could be justified because of the heavier reliance on services. Anthony said that is
unknown. Stutsman asked if that is an unfair assumption. Peterson said no, because a family in
emergency or transitional housing would by definition have high needs.
Anciaux said in terms of the high percentage of transitional housing in block group 18.2, a transportation
service program should be developed to allow transitional housing to be located in other areas. Peterson
asked if that would be provided by HACAP. Anciaux said yes.
Left said the intent of the question regarding rehab housing is not clear from the minutes from the
hearing. Hayek said that building a new unit and converting an existing building are the same. Peterson
agreed, but noted the important thing is that the Taskforce members are in agreement about what is
being discussed, and the recommendations are clear as well. Anciaux said that if the question is about
converting existing buildings into new transitional housing, there are buildings in other parts of Iowa City.
that can be converted.
Hayek said the minutes from the last meeting say, "Hayek noted that a point raised at the hearing was to
ensure that the policies do not impact the ability to maintain and rehabilitate existing housing." Anciaux
said he does not object to maintaining current transitional housing. However, as 45 percent of transitional
housing is located in block group 18.2, something needs to be done to spread it out in the future.
Left said the minutes from the hearing say, "He foresees possible difficulty with the rehabilitation of older
housing in the prohibited areas. Buying and renovating helps revitalize neighborhoods and keep them
from getting' run down." Peterson and Anciaux agreed that sounds like buying new units and converting
them. Peterson said what Axeen was saying is that this is good for the neighborhood. Anciaux said there
are other places outside of 18.2 where that can be done.
Left said the minutes from the hearing go on to say, "There should be a process to allow rehabilitation
projects to take place in prohibited areas .... "She added that she could understand Peterson's and
Anciaux's interpretation. Peterson asked if all of the Taskforce members are in agreement that what is
meant by rehabilitation of units needs to be clarified in light of this. All agreed.
Vandenberg asked about Anthony's reservations regarding the three new columns. Anthony said the
matrix refers to specific policy objectives 2 and 3. However, specific policy objective 1 already explicitly
refers to transitional housing. He is not sure having it also in the matrix is necessary. He also asked for
clarification from staff whether it is okay for elderly to be specifically identified and removed from the data.
That is permissible with emergency/transitional, but is it permissible with elderly housing asked Anthony.
Scattered Site Housing Taskforce Minutes
April 25, 2005
Page 6
Nasby said that it did not appear the elderly\disabled are being singled out as a separate group, since
they are included in the data. He said it was also his understanding from the attorney that emergency and
transitional housing can be specified, and said he would check with the attorney regarding
elderly\disabled. Anthony said he would like to know for sure.
Peterson said she thinks having the column information available is about looking at each block group
and understanding what is located there. There is a difference in the kinds of impacts from different types,
and it is helpful to see what is in the neighborhoods. Stutsman agreed, and noted that having the
information available would assist with the educational aspect. Peterson said that it would be helpful also
to have student housing information.
Clausen asked for confirmation that the column with assisted units excluding elderly and disabled does
include emergency and transitional. Vandenberg said yes.
Hayek said it seemed there was nothing else to discuss on the matrix until the new data has been
gathered. Anthony said that he would like to define what high, medium, and Iow preferences mean. He
said one way to define them would be to assign a dollar amount to each level. Peterson suggested letting
the city decide on the levels. Vandenberg said that her understanding is high would have incentives and
Iow would not have incentives. Medium would therefore have some incentives. Anthony said once the
development potential data is available; the preferences could be fine tuned.
Hayek suggested moving on to the other discussion points. He said he would like to cover everything else
and leave the matrix as the only unresolved issue at the end of the meeting. He suggested quickly
reviewing the objective points in order again. All agreed.
Hayek said the only change to general objective 1 was from "maintain" to "strengthen." General
agreement was expressed for that change. Hayek said the change to general objective 2 was from
"without reducing" to "while increasing." Peterson' said she is not sure what housing is being referenced in
objective 2. She said that increasing the supply of housing for her would mean affordable housing rather
than only assisted housing. The absence of affordable housing is why there is such a high demand for
assisted housing. Increasing affordable housing would decrease the pressure for assisted housing.
Peterson said her concern is that general objective 2 is recommending an increase in assisted housing,
when she would like to increase affordable housing. If it becomes impossible to scatter assisted housing
and increase the stock of assisted housing at the same time, linking those two objectives together might
result in both being lost. She said there is a difference between affordable and assisted housing that
should be clarified.
Anthony said that general objective 1 asks for an increase in affordable housing generally, and then the
second objective talks about assisted. So he views that as asking the city to primarily increase the supply
of affordable housing, and if not, then increase assisted housing to help make up for the shortfall.
Peterson asked if Anthony thinks the city can scatter and increase at the same time. Anthony said if one
assisted unit is built next year outside of 18.2, then both objectives have been met. Peterson asked if the
objective says "maintain," and 18.2 is not available for development, then it would have to be scattered.
Anthony said yes, but the potential is that the city could scatter without increasing and addressing the
need for affordable housing. Peterson asked if he meant affordable or assisted, since this objective refers
to assisted. Anthony said assisted.
Anciaux said the TaskfOrce would have to rely on the elected officials to evaluate the recommendations
versus their budget, and do the right thing. He thinks that if the money is available, they would do it, but if
the money is not available, then they cannot do it.
Hayek said he shares Peterson's concern. He said he is worried that with this set of recommendations,
the Taskforce might be overreaching. He would like to strike a balance between challenging the city to
take bold steps, but still make the recommendations practical. Anthony said he believes specific objective
2 is more demanding than the general objective 2. Hayek said those are two different concepts. Specific
objective 2 talks about spending money to bring the same supply on board in a scattered fashion.
Scattered Site Housing Taskforce Minutes
April 25, 2005
Page 7
Peterson said the original general objective 2 asked for maintaining the current supply. She asked if it
would be over reaching to recommend the city strengthen its commitment to assisted housing while
increasing affordable housing, and also recommending the city increase the supply of assisted housing
while scattering it. Anthony said the city could then say the current supply is all that is needed, which he is
not comfortable with. Unless affordable housing is available for everyone, the supply of assisted housing
should not be blocked. Also, asking for an increased supply will protect the recommendations from
challenges of exclusionary effects.
Anciaux said there are ways to incent developers to help with the recommendations without costing the
city extra money. Vandenberg agreed, and asked whether the Taskforce would prefer more units or
scattered units, assuming the city has a limited amount of money to spend. Anthony said that is a public
policy question, whether the benefits of scattering outweigh the negative aspects of not having enough
affordable housing. Peterson asked if Anthony meant assisted housing. Anthony said assisted, but only if
enough affordable housing is available for everyone. If that is the case, then the amount of assisted
housing can be reduced. A significant portion of the population in Iowa City does not have affordable
housing, and the numbers are not changing significantly.
Anciaux said if assisted housing is primarily located in one area, the property values will decline in the
area, allowing more to be purchased there. Anthony said he does not agree, since property values in tract
18.2 are higher than many other places.
Hayek confirmed that all the Taskforce members agree that a scattered site policy is a worthwhile
endeavor, and most agree it would cost money to adopt the policy since a reduction in the available
assisted housing is not a desirable outcome. He said that the general objectives started out saying that if
the supply can be maintained while extra funds are made available to scatter, then scattering is desirable.
However, asking also to spend additional money to increase assisted housing might take the
recommendations beyond the realm of practical consideration.
Peterson suggested leaving general objective 1 as currently stated, to strengthen the commitment and
increase opportunities, and then change general objective 2 by adding a period after "community" and
deleting the final clause. Vandenberg said she agrees. Anciaux agreed with removing "increasing" and
"spend money" as much as possible. Peterson asked Anthony if that would be agreeable, even though it
sidesteps the issue. Anthony replied that he would like a commitment to affordable housing in each of the
objectives, so that if the city adopts any one of them, affordable housing would be part of it.
Hayek said he agreed with Peterson's suggested edit. Left agreed as well. Clausen said she shared
Anthony's concern. Peterson said that any part of the recommendations could be ignored by the city.
Anthony agreed, but said it should be there, allowing the city do the editing. Hayek noted the Taskforce
members are not in agreement on whether the clause should be in the objective. Vandenberg said
including the end clause dilutes the commitment to scattering.
Anthony said the issue really is as Vandenberg said a question of whether the benefits of scattering
assisted housing outweigh the potential negative impacts of reducing the amount of assisted housing that
is available. Anthony said the question is whether such a policy would benefit the public good, and if it
cannot be proven to benefit the public good, the policy can be challenged at any time and struck down.
Hayek said there is a diversity of opinion on what constitutes a benefit to the public good. Anthony
agreed, and said if the policy cannot be proven to be a benefit, it will be struck down. Vandenberg asked
who could strike it. Anthony said anyone who challenges it, if it goes to court, it would be struck down.
Stutsman said she would like the city legal staff to respond to that, and give their opinion about the issue.
Hayek said that scattered site policies have been adopted in many communities already. Anthony agreed,
and noted that those communities have been able to demonstrate the benefits of the policy. He said that
usually those policies are accompanied by additional funding and inclusionary housing policies, as well.
Hayek said the three options are to leave the statement as written, stop the sentence after the word
"community," or change the statement back to as it was originally written to say "maintaining the supply."
Peterson said she does not agree with the third option to change back to "maintain," while ending the
sentence after "community" asks for an increase in stock in conjunction with scattering. Stutsman, Left,
and Vandenberg agreed. Anthony and Clausen said they would like to keep the final clause.
Scattered Site Housing Taskforce Minutes
April 25, 2005
Page 8
Stutsman asked if a minority opinion could be noted. Hayek said yes, consensus is not needed for every
objective. The narrative can indicate that complete consensus was not reached for certain points. He
suggested taking a vote on the issue. Peterson confirmed that the reason for the lack of consensus on
this point could be explained in the narrative. Hayek said yes.
Rackis noted for clarification that the primary source of funds for assisted housing has been HOME and
CDBG funds, which are primarily used as financial assistance to build affordable housing. The funds are
not used to provide direct housing payment assistance. He suggested recommending CDBG and HOME
funds continue to be used for that purpose, but then also recommend increased commitment to find ways
to build affordable housing throughout the community.
Anthony suggested a fourth option for general objective 2, to say, "Iowa City should adopt a scattered site
policy to ensure a fair share distribution of assisted housing in the community without using CDBG and
HOME funds for scattering." Peterson asked how that would be accomplished. Anthony said by putting in
additional resources. Peterson asked for confirmation that this would mean funding for scattering would
mean new funding, rather than CDBG and HOME funds. Anthony agreed.
Hayek said that is already being requested. Nasby questioned if Anthony's suggestion would put CDBG
and HOME funds into housing only in the tracts that are already concentrated. Anthony disagreed, saying
if a new affordable unit could come into the housing supply using CDBG funding; the easiest option might
be for it to be located into one of the concentrated areas. Putting it elsewhere would require additional
funding to pay the land price differential. Nasby said the assumption is then development would only
occur in the over represented tracts. Anthony noted that if land was available in under represented tracts,
and the land was zoned for it, a lot of the developments in 18.2 would have been located in those other
areas. Assisted housing does not locate in 18.2 by choice, but for purely financial reasons. So he is
suggesting funding from somewhere other than CDBG and HOME funds to pay for the land price
differential.
Peterson asked if both types of funding, both CDBG/HOME funds as well as additional funding, could be
used to locate assisted housing outside of the concentrated areas. Vandenberg asked if this should be
addressed as a specific objective instead of a general one. Hayek said the general policy objectives are
designed to express the global findings. Peterson agreed, noting that otherwise both the general and
specific points number 2 would say the same thing.
Hayek suggested voting on the proposed change to general objective 2, adding a period after the word
"community," and deleting the final clause.
MOTION: Peterson moved to edit the general policy objective 2 to say, "Iowa City should adopt a
scattered site policy to ensure a fair share distribution of assisted housing throughout the community."
Left seconded.
Anthony objected to the revision, saying that the original change to "increasing" was reached after much
discussion at the previous meeting. He still agrees with the reasoning for the original edit, which was a
widespread concern expressed at the public hearing that the policy statement would result in a reduction
of affordable housing. Everyone at the public hearing said scattering is a good thing only if affordable
housing is protected from reduction.
Eastham asked Peterson to explain why the motion for the current revision was proposed. Peterson said
her concerns from the previous meeting were twofold. First, there is some confusion between the terms
assisted and affordable. She said she feels strongly that the community needs to increase the availability
of affordable housing, and it is the absence of affordable housing that creates a great need for assisted
housing. Second, since general objective 1 asks for an increased commitment to assisted housing as well
as an increase in affordable housing, and general objective 2 asks for scattering, adding a clause to
request an increase in assisted housing while scattering might be over reaching. The final clause seemed
redundant and excessive.
Anthony said the entire scattering policy could be discarded for reasons unrelated to what it says, and
that he would address that point later. Hayek asked if anyone else would like to address that issue.
Stutsman said that looking at it from a policymaker perspective, the first two general policy statements
should not contain too many specifics, but only address the overall goals the Taskforce would like the city
Scattered Site Housing Taskforce Minutes
April 25, 2005
Page 9
to pursue. Peterson noted that specific objective 2 does ask for additional funds beyond CDBG and
HOME funding. Left said the phrase "strengthen the commitment" implies supplying additional resources.
Hayek asked for a vote. The motion was passed with a vote of 5 in favor, and 3 against (Anthony,
Clausen, Anciaux).
Hayek addressed the narrative at this point, suggesting that once the recommendations are finalized, the
subcommittee comprised of Anthony, Hayek, and Vandenberg would draft the narrative. Then, instead of
having the Taskforce meet to go through the entire document together, give each member an opportunity
to write an additional supplemental piece to attach to the narrative document. That would give all
members an opportunity to express their individual opinions and note the issues they are particularly
concerned about.
Anthony asked that the Taskforce have an opportunity to read and vote on the narrative, and asked that it
be sent to the members in their meeting packets. Hayek asked for confirmation that Anthony is not
recommending a line-by-line evaluation. Anthony said no, to vote on whether to accept the entire
document. Hayek said he raised that point now because of the close vote on general objective 2.
Hayek suggested reviewing the specific objectives. He reviewed changes to specific objective 1, to move
one sentence to the beginning of the statement, and deleting the final sentence. Stutsman asked for
clarification of what the phrase "make land available" means in this objective. She said that could be
interpreted as the city needing to buy the land and make it available for emergency housing, rather than
through zoning or other means. Anciaux said in this situation he thinks the city should buy the land, using
CDBG or other funds.
Hayek asked if Anciaux says that because of the difficulty of finding land for that type of housing
anywhere in the city. Anciaux said yes. Anthony noted that there is land available in several places, such
as the land now committed to the Super Wal-Mart. Anciaux said yes, but while there is still land available
in that area, it is not located close to schools or downtown services such as the recreation center and
library.
Hayek said the original specific objective 2 was deleted, so all the other objectives have changed
numbers. He suggested tabling discussion on specific objectives 2 and 3 until the matrix has been
finalized. All agreed.
Hayek said there were no changes to objective 4. The only change to objective 5 was to change "almost
all" to "most."
Hayek said that objective 6 had substantial changes, including the addition of the word "additional."
Stutsman asked if the hyphenated "low-moderate" could be changed to "low or moderate." Clausen
suggested changing it to "low to moderate." Nasby suggested specifying the income level, such as "under
80 percent area mean average." All agreed with Nasby's suggestion. Hayek confirmed the statement
would read, "The City should take additional steps to increase sustainable home ownership among its
population under 80 percent area mean income." All agreed.
Hayek asked Vandenberg for the revision to objective 7. Vandenberg distributed copies to the Taskforce
members. She said she is not sure who is being referred to in the statement, since she is thinking about
the high-end needs population, such as the homeless and near homeless. Peterson said the discussion
was for the broader continuum, because even families that have recently moved into home ownership will
not be able to sustain it without access to additional services.
Hayek said the discussion about services was broad, but noted that the bulk of the needs are at the lower
end. Vandenberg said there are different levels of need, so defining terms and containing the spectrum
could be difficult. Clausen asked about adding the word "creative", and deleting the word "other."
Peterson said the original idea was for creative collaborations.
Anciaux asked what Human Services does for families who are homeless or near homeless. Peterson
said the department hardly gets involved unless there is a substantiated child abuse situation. Stutsman
said she would prefer not to use the word "creative," and to leave "low-income" in as a preventive
measure. Sometimes if Iow-income families have help, they will not become homeless or near homeless.
Scattered Site Housing Taskforce Minutes
April 25, 2005
Page 10
Hayek asked for confirmation that "homeless/near homeless" should be deleted from the statement.
Stutsman said yes, change that to "low-income."
Peterson confirmed that the statement currently says, "The City should work collaboratively with private
and other public partners to develop comprehensive support services for Iow income families." Hayek
asked about the second sentence. Left said it is important to specifically state some of the services the
Taskforce is talking about, to give examples of what is being referenced. Vandenberg said skill
development could refer to either students or adults. Left agreed.
Dennis suggested changing it to "low income households," to be more inclusive. The Taskforce members
agreed. Peterson asked about including job opportunities. Stutsman said that is included in the phrase,
"among the many needs," otherwise the list could be very long.
Hayek said that objective 8 had a change to say, "The policy should offer effective incentives for
developers to include a percent of affordable housing in new developments." All agreed. Hayek said the
change to objective 9 was "perils" to "impact." All agreed. Hayek said objective 10 had the word "local"
deleted. All agreed. Hayek said objective 11 asks for "vigorous enforcement" of the nuisance law, and
clarified the second sentence to indicate that neighborhood opposition to assisted housing is often
caused by insufficient management of housing that is not assisted. All agreed. Hayek said objective 12
had no changes, and objective 13 had the first clause removed. All agreed.
Left asked if a disclaimer statement should be written to specify that "City" throughout the document
refers to Iowa City. Unless "City" should stand for Iowa City, it should not be capitalized. Peterson said it
should stand for Iowa City. Left said a statement at the beginning should specify that. Anciaux suggested
saying, "Iowa City, hereafter referred to as the City." All agreed.
Peterson asked to review the order of the objectives. Vandenberg said that considering the education
aspect is important, she would put that point as specific objective 1. Then objective 2 would be
collaboration with other municipalities, so the current number 9 would be I and the current 10 would be 2.
Anciaux said he would prefer keeping the current number 1 in its current place. Vandenberg said that
would be fine, but would like to put numbers 9 and 10 higher in the list. Clausen said she would like to
move number 7 higher on the list as well. Vandenberg said her rationale is that the education and
collaboration are important for getting the work done.
Peterson asked for confirmation that Vandenberg is beginning the list by saying the public needs to be
educated about why this is important, the whole county needs to be enlisted because this is a wider
issue, and then the others are specific things that Iowa City needs to do. Vandenberg agreed. Clausen
said the current number 7 should be moved up, perhaps after the other points.
Left asked if these are being ordered chronologically, or according to importance. Ordering them with
education and enlistment first might imply that those things need to be done before any of the other
objectives could be met.
Anthony suggested organizing the specific objectives according to the related general policy objective. So
the specific objectives that would help to achieve each general objective would be organized together.
Hayek said that two umbrella headings, which are the two general policy objectives, could each be put on
a separate page with their supporting specific objectives. Vandenberg noted that some specific objectives
would fit under both general objectives.
Rackis suggested grouping them according to things Iowa City has absolute control over versus those
things that would require collaboration. Stutsman said they could be ordered according to priority. She
said to her a list of recommendations would have the most important points first. Peterson said that was
what prompted the group to reconsider the order, and put 9 and 10 higher on the list. Hayek said those
two statements are more positive from a marketing perspective. Peterson agreed, noting those
statements do not leave Iowa City as solely responsible for improvements.
Hayek said he agrees with moving 9 and 10 up to I and 2, and 7 up as well. Anciaux said he would like
the current number 1 to stay near the top, because it addresses both 1 and 2.
Scattered Site Housing Taskforce Minutes
April 25, 2005
Page 11
Clausen confirmed that the new order is as follows: 1 is 3, 2 is 4, 3 is 5, 4 is 6, 5 is 8, 6 is 9, 7 is 7, 8 is 10,
9 is 1, 10 is 2, and 11, 12, and 13 remain the same. Hayek confirmed there were no other comments
regarding the order. None were raised.
Stutsman said she would like to discuss what the Taskforce members want in the narrative, in order to
give the subcommittee some direction. Anthony agreed, and said it should be done during this meeting.
Hayek said the narrative starts out with a general explanation about the Taskforce, including a discussion
of the process, how the Taskforce was formed, when it met, who presented, and other general
information. Then it goes into the core findings, which is not fully developed because it was begun before
the objectives were written.
Vandenberg suggested e-mailing the outline to the Taskforce members, and allowing each person to
respond. Hayek said the open meeting policy is not violated if people respond individually. Stutsman
asked if Hayek plans to have the narrative written for the next meeting. Hayek said yes.
Next meeting scheduled for Thursday, May 26, 2005 at 4:30.
Hayek confirmed that he would e-mail the basic outline of the narrative out to the Taskforce members,
who then should email back individually any additional notes or issues that should be addressed in the
narrative to any of the subcommittee members. Nasby asked if a deadline should be included for
responses. Hayek said he would include that in the e-mail message.
Anthony asked if the subcommittee could look at other communities' matrices for comparison purposes, if
they find that information. The Taskforce members agreed.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no other business to come before the Taskforce, Anciaux moved to adjourn, and
Vandenberg seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
Scaffered Site Housing Taskforce
Affendance Record
2005
01/03 01/24 01/31 02/14 02/28 03/28 04/04 04/25
D. Anciaux X O/E X X X X X X
J. Anthony X X X X X X X X
D. Clausen X X O/E X X X X X
M. Hayek X X X X X X X X
J. Left X X X O/E X X O/E X
J. Peterson X X X X X X X X
S. Stutsman X X O/E O/E O/E X X X
VandenBerg X X X X X X X X
Key:
X = Present
0 = Absent
0/E = Absent/Excused
NM = No Meeting
..... Not a Member
MINUTES PRELIMINARY
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
SEPTEMBEP, 15, 2005
EMMA J. HAP, VAT HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Don Anciaux, Bob Brooks, Ann Freerks, Beth Koppes, Dean Shannon,
Terry Smith
MEMBERS ABSENT: Wally Plahutnik
STAFF PRESENT: Mitch Behr, Bob Miklo
A. Call to Order
Brooks called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
B. Public Discussion of Any Item not on the Agenda
No discussion.
C. Subdivision Items
SUB05-00018: Discussion of an application submitted by Southgate Development for a final plat of
Cardinal Ridge Part One, a 50-lot, 35.42 acre residential subdivision on Kennedy Parkway. (45-day
limitation period: October 13, 2005)
Miklo reported that the plat is in order, and complies with approved preliminary plat and zoning. The
Parks and Recreation Commission has chosen to seek fees rather than open space on Outlot C for
creation of a trail network connecting to the Clear Creek Trail, due to unsuccessful negotiations with
the Walnut Ridge representatives. That decision will need to be reflected in the legal papers. Staff
recommends approval of the item subject to approval of legal papers and construction drawings, prior
to Council consideration of the plat.
Brooks opened the item for public input. No public input given.
MOTION: Freerks moved to approve rezoning item SUB05-00018, subject to staff approval of legal
papers and construction drawing prior to Council consideration, and Koppes seconded.
No further discussion was raised.
The motion carried with a vote of 6-0. (Plahutnik absent)
SUB05-00022: Discussion of an application submitted by Southgate Development for a final plat of
Cardinal Ridge Part Two, a 23-1ot, 29.56-acre residential subdivision and Part Three, a 19-1ot, 27.89-
acre residential subdivision on Kennedy Parkway Extended. (45-day limitation period: October 13,
2005).
Miklo reported that both of the pending preliminary plats comply with zoning requirements. He
anticipates the plats will be approved at the upcoming Council meeting. Again, fees will be taken in
lieu of open space, as with the previous item. Staff recommends approval of the item.
Brooks opened the item for public input. No public input given.
MOTION: Smith moved to approve rezoning item SUB05-00022 subject to approval of construction
drawings and legal papers prior to Council consideration, and Anciaux seconded.
No further discussion was raised.
The motion carried with a vote of 6-0. (Plahutnik absent)
Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes
September 15, 2005
Page 2
D. Vacation Item
VAC05-00007: Discussion of an application submitted by the City of Iowa City to vacate Madison
Street, south of Prentiss Street, and Des Moines Street.
Brooks said that he would not participate in this item because he is employed by the University. He
left the room.
Miklo reported that the right of way is no longer required for public purposes, as the University now
owns all adjacent properties. The University seeks to acquire the land for the purpose of redeveloping
the area. There are some utilities in the right-of-way, both municipal and MidAmerican, which will
need to be addressed with easements. If those utilities are moved or become unnecessary, those
easements could be vacated. He pointed out that when the City vacated Harrison Street in 2002, an
easement was retained over the former right of way to allow public access to the river.
Koppes asked if any other streets go through to the river. Smith noted that the railroad is in between.
Miklo said no, and that the right of way was vacated, but an easement was retained to allow public
access to the river.
Anciaux opened the item for public input. No public input given.
MOTION: Smith moved to approve vacation item VAC05-00007, and Freerks seconded.
Anciaux said he was glad to hear there is an easement in place for access to the river, and is pleased
to give the land to the University. He hopes the University would reciprocate if the City or County has
need of land in the future. Shannon said that he would like to see a trade with the University in the
future. Anciaux said he would like to have the current access to the river opened as soon as possible,
if it is not already available.
The motion carried with a vote of 5-0 (Brooks recused).
Brooks returned.
E. Consideration of the September l, 2005 Meeting Minutes
MOTION: Smith moved to approve the minutes as submitted, and Koppes seconded. The motion
carried with a vote of 6-0.
F. Other Items
Brooks noted that a letter was given to the Council from Steve Atkins. Also, Brooks wrote an editorial
for the Sunday Press Citizen, explaining the zoning code change process and encouraging continued
public involvement. Smith asked who the author of the editorial is. Brooks said he is the author, as
chair of the Commission, but not speaking for the Commission, since the Commission did not
collaborate on it.
Brooks said that the next Monday meeting would be a work session with Council, with the
Commission scheduled for 30 minutes. That session would be spent primarily highlighting the
important and new items in the code. September 26 and 27 will be additional work sessions, covering
first the residential areas on Monday, and then the commercial and miscellaneous items on Tuesday.
Brooks plans to have an agenda of items to cover to help expedite the process, and expects the
Commission will be there to answer questions and give background on the decisions that were made
during revisions. Miklo said the Council would have a matrix table with various proposed amendments
that were considered during the process. The Commission members should be prepared to explain
why a particular choice or decision was made, especially those that involved strong public interest
and comment. Brooks requested that copies of the packets that will be given to the Council members
also be distributed to the Commission members.
Brooks said if the Council wished, the plan would be to focus on issues brought to attention by the
public, either through public hearings or letters. Koppes asked whether that would include issues
Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes
September 15, 2005
Page 3
raised at the last minute, that perhaps were not made into amendments. Miklo said everything that
was written that addressed a specific part of the code was included in the matrix. Koppes asked if all
the points that the neighborhood associations were concerned about were addressed. Miklo said yes,
because all requested specific amendments were submitted by various parties.
Freerks said it is important to focus the Council on the complexity of the document overall, and that it
would be difficult to change or remove bits and pieces while still retaining its overall integrity.
Changes in one zone were sometimes made because it had compensation in another zone, and
these considerations were important in her decision-making
Koppes asked if the code would come back to the Commission if the Council changes it. Smith said
he understood that the Council would make the changes they feel are necessary and then carry the
process forward. Behr said the Council could change the document and approve it without coming
back to the Commission for discussion, if they set public hearing.
Brooks asked if the Council would need to consult the Commission if significant changes were made.
Behr said consultation prior to changing the document is required, but the question is whether the
upcoming work sessions would constitute a consultation. Miklo said the Commission could request at
the work session meetings to have input if the Council makes significant changes to the document.
Freerks said the new code will have a major impact on the community in the future, and its full
significance may not be clear to the Council since they have not spent as much time with the
revisions. Koppes agreed. Miklo said the point of having the Commission meet with the Council is to
bring them up to speed and share the Commission members' understandings of the code.
Freerks asked if private discussions between members of the Council and Commission members
should be brought to public attention. Mikio said if there were discussions of an agenda item before
voting on an item, the bylaws say they should be brought to the attention of the Commission, but he
did not believe that applies once a vote is taken.
Brooks asked if Miklo had more to add about the process. Miklo said they would be very similar to
public meetings. Zone changes in terms to the CB2 will be at a separate hearing. When covering
controversial items, the Commission members will be the experts. It is an opportunity for the
Commission to emphasize the key points and correct the misinformation. The goal is to let the
Council know what is actually in the document, versus hearsay.
Koppes asked if Karen Howard would be present at the meeting. Miklo said Karin Franklin will miss
the first one, and Karen Howard will be at all of them.
G. Adjournment
MOTION: Smith moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 pm, and Anciaux seconded the motion. The
motion carried with a vote of 6-0.
s:/pcdlminutes/p&z/2005/o9-15-O5, doc
Iowa City Planning & Zoning Commission
Attendance Record
2005
FORMAL MEETING
Term
Name Expires 1/6 1/20 2/3 2/17 3/3 3/17 4/7 4/21 fi/fi 6/16 6/27 7/6 7/21 8/4 8/18 9/1 9/ltl
D. An¢iaux 05/06 X X X X X O/E X X X X O/E X X O/E O/E X X
B. Brooks 05/10 X X X X X X X X X O/E X O/E X X X X X
A. Freerks 05/08 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
E. Koppes 05/07 O/E X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
W Plahutnik 05/10 ................................ × X X X O/E O/E × X O/E
D. Shannon 05/08 X X X O/E O/E X X X O/E X O/E X X X X X X
T. Smith 05/06 ................................ X X X X X X O/E X X
INFORMAL MEETING
Term
Name Expires 1/3 2/14 2/28 3/14 4/4 4/18 5/2 6/13 7/18 8/1 8/15 8/29 9/12
D. An¢iaux 05/06 CW X X O/E X X X X X O/E X X X
B. Brooks 05/10 CW X X X X X X X X X X X X
A. Freerks 05/08 CW X X X O/E X O/E X X X X O/E X
E. Koppes 05/07 CW X X X O/E X X X X X X X X
W Plahutnik 05/10 CW .................... O/E X O/E O/E X X X
D. Shannon 05/08 CW O/E O/E X X X X X X X X O O
T. Smith 05/06 ............................ X X X X X X [ I
Key:
X = Present
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
N/M= No Meeting
MINUTES PRELIMINARY ~
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2005
LOBBY CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL
Members Present: Michael Brennan, Richard Carlson, James Enloe, Michael Gunn, Michael Maharry, Jim
Ponto and Tim Weitzel.
Members Absent: Mark McCallum, Justin Pardekooper, Jan Weissmiller
Staff Present: Sunil Terdalkar
Public Present: Scott Kading, Thane Kading, Shelley McCafferty, Kevin Burford, Helen Buford
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Chairperson Weitzel called the meeting to order at 7:00pm.
PUBLIC COMMENT OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
NONE
ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION
Certificate of Appropriateness
730 North Linn Street
Terdalkar said that the applicant is proposing to replace approximately 20 existing windows with
aluminum clad wood windows. He said the applicant also plans to repair/replace the soffit and fascia
boards and replace the external gutters.
Thane Kading said that they have big issues with their windows. She said that only 3 of approximately 20
windows can be opened. In addition she said they are not energy efficient. She noted that they plan on
changing the windows in two steps, half during the current year, and half next year due to financial
constrains.
Weitzel said that if they replace like to like they will not need a permit. Maharry said that he would like to
see that all actions have been taken to repair the windows before replacing them. Kading said that using
new windows will be cheaper, more energy efficient and will also look better. She said they had a couple
of agencies coming in and saying that it would be better for the windows to be replaced.
Enloe said that there should be a discussion about the issue of wooden frame. Weitzel said that the frame
has to be paintable.
Kading said that they would also like to repair/replace the soffit and fascia boards and replace the
external gutters which are too small. Weitzel said that they would not need a approval for them regarding
this repair either.
MOTION: Enloe moved to approve the certificate of appropriateness for the project at 730 North
Linn Street with the recommendation of using paintable frames. Ponto seconded the motion.
Motion passed 7:0.
415 Clark Street
McCafferty said that this is a revised application. She noted that a "bump out" on the eastside of the
proposed addition has been omitted. She added that instead of two double-hung windows on the north
fa(;ade the new proposal includes one small circular light and the east wall of the addition, behind the
garage will have a bathroom window.
Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
September 22, 2005
Page 2
Weitzel noted that the proposed round window will be asymmetrical. He proposed a casement.
McCafferty said that she could not commit to a casement since the applicants are not present.
MOTION: Ponto moved to approve a certificate of appropriateness for 415 Clark Street as
submitted. Enloe seconded the motion.
The motion passed 7:0.
528 East Colle.qe Street
Terdalkar said that the revised proposal is to construct a concrete deck for the porch instead of a wood
deck. He said the applicants are proposing to use a concrete deck due to the Iow floor level. He said the
guidelines allow exceptions for using a concrete deck on the porches with a floor level less than 18 inches
above grade on noncontributing properties.
McCafferty said that the owners decided to build earlier than originally anticipated. She said that they are
proposing concrete because it will be most technically sound to protect the house. She said that the wood
porch was sitting on the ground, and the grading was going towards the house. She said that the difficulty
in doing a wood porch would be the differential between the finish floor plan and the positive drainage
needed to exist away from the house. She presented a detail drawn to present the inconvenience. She
also presented a drawing for the proposed concrete deck. She said they could pain the edge of the
concrete to look more like wood. She presented pictures with houses that were allowed to have concrete
decks. She said that as seen in the pictures the Iow concrete deck does not have a significant influence
on the aspect of the house.
Weitzel noted that because concrete decks are not allowed based on the guidelines, this situation if
approved would be an exception, and the commission would need to articulate the masons for the
exception.
Enloe asked the applicants how would building a wooden porch affect the drainage. McCafferty said that
in order to get the grade enough for water to drain away from the house, the structure of the house will
end-up about 3 inches below the grade. She noted that it is important to not have water getting to the
foundation. She noted that they will do a complete foundation wall that will be much more stable in terms
of movement, and will put rigid isolation to further protect the foundation. Ponto said that would be helpful
in protecting the original house itself.
Ponto said that a porch is traditionally above the ground, but the proposed change is partially in the
ground, so will look mom like a patio.
Gunn said that if the application is approved the less it will look like concrete the more will look historic.
He proposed painting it grey.
Weitzel said that grading close to foundation could also be detrimental to the foundation.
MOTION: Enloe moved to consider the drainage problem and inability to correct the problem
because of existing driveway and property the application as submitted due to existing driveways
and property lines constitute justification for special exception, and the proposal as amended be
accepted as submitted. Ponto seconded the motion.
AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION: Gunn moved to include the color grey to be used for the concrete.
Enloe accepted the amendment. Ponto seconded.
The motion passed 7:0.
Consideration of Au.qust '15, 2005 minutes
Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
September 22, 2005
Page 3
Carlson said there is a mistake on the first page in the bottom paragraph, second sentence should be
changed to say according to the contractor the windows were rotten. On the second page, second
paragraph from bottom, there is a repetition of world total large, which should be to large one over one.
On page 3, paragraph 1, last line it says which is the only part of the building, should say which is the part
of the building. On same page, third paragraph, and last paragraph should be reviewed. On page 4, first
line instead of state should be stage. On page 6, middle of page the paragraph beginning Carlson said
that when importance is considered, on the last line of the sentence instead of for the house sits it should
be all surviving buildings associated with it. He said that in the motion when Carlson voted no it should be
Carlson voted yes given the motion. On page 7, he noted in the middle of page instead of protect the
wells created graded, the word greeted should be taken out. On page 8 the last two motions carried on a
vote of 7:0 when there were 8 members present.
MOTION: Maharry moved to approve the minutes as amended. Carlson seconded the motion.
Motion passed 7:0.
Consideration of August 25, 2005 minutes
Carlson said on the bottom of page 4 after the motion he concluded why he voted 'no', but it was not
included in the minutes.
MOTION: Carlson moved to approve the minutes as amended. Enloe seconded the motion.
Motion passed 7:0.
Consideration of September 8, 2005 minutes
Carlson said on page 3, 4th paragraph, instead of 'not be significantly higher' it should be 'significantly
higher'.
MOTION: Carlson moved to approve the minutes as amended. Enloe seconded the motion.
Motion passed 7:0.
OTHER
Discussion of application process
Weitzel said that he would recommend the creation of a subcommittee to work on the process.
Terdalkar presented a draft for a cover page that describes all the necessary documents and information
for the application. Weitzel said he would like to see a more schematic organization, like a workflow chart.
He asked what would happen if an application does not meet the guidelines. He said that it represents a
waste of time to have people coming in just to hear that they do not meet the guidelines, and if that could
be avoid they should try to avoid it.
Enloe said that an application, even if incomplete, should be discussed, and that it is our responsibility to
hear applications.
Carlson said that if there would be just one application not meeting the guidelines the commission could
spend more time expanding on it, and pass through the other ones more quickly.
Gunn said that the committee could give guidelines, directions. The subcommittee could list 6 or 7
changes that would make the project acceptable. Weitzel said that they have to do that anyway if the
decide to disapprove something.
McCafferty said that additions are harder to approve. Enloe said they should have a magazine of ready
solutions. Gunn proposed that the committee come up with a book of photographs of things that are
appropriate. Enloe added that they could include details of things that were approved. Maharry said that
Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
September 22, 2005
Page 4
they will be like a design police. Enloe said they will not say that only elements presented in pictures will
be approved, but those will be recommended designs. Weitzel said they should also include drawings.
McCafferty said they could apply for a grant to create the photo book. She noted that October 15 is a
deadline for such a grant from Johnson County. Weitzel and Maharry volunteered to write the grant.
Adiournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:35 PM.
Minutes submitted by Bogdana Rus.
s:lpcdlminuteslHPC12005HPCMinuteslhpcO9-22-O5.doc
Historic Preservation Commission
Attendance Record
2005
Tel-in
Name Expires 1/8 1/13 2/10 2/15 3/10 4/14 4/28 5/12 5/26 6/2 6/9 6/30 7/14 8/15 8/25 9/8 9/22
M. Brennan 3/29/08 .................... X X X X X X O O/E X X X X
R. Carlson 3/29/07 ........ X g X g X X OrE X X O g X X X g
J. Enloe 3/29/06 X X X O O X X O O O O/E o/m OrE O/E O/U X X
m. Gunn 3/29/07 O/E X O/E o/m X X X X X X O/E X X X X X X
M. Maharry 3/29/08 X X X X X X X .................... X X X X X
M. McCallum 3/29/06 X X X X X X O X X X X X X X X X O/U
J. Pardekooper 3/29/07 O/E X X O O O/E O O O O O X X O O O O
J. Ponto 3/29/07 X X X X X X X X O/E O/E X X X X X X X
A. Smothers 3/29/05 O/E O/E X X X ................................................
J. Weissmiller 3/29/06 O/E O/E O/E O/E O/E O/E O/E O/E O/E X X X O/E X O/E O/E O
T. Weitzel 3/29/08 O/E O/E X X X O/E X X X X X X X X X X X
Key:
X = Present
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
NM = No Meeting
..... Not a Member
MINUTES PRELIMINARY
IOWA CITY BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
SEPTEMBER 14, 2005
EMMA J. HAP, VAT HALL-IOWA CITY, CITY HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Carol Alexander, Karen Leigh, Vincent Maurer, Michael Wright, Ned Wood
MEMBERS ABSENT: NONE
STAFF PRESENT: Robert Miklo, Sarah Holecek
OTHERS PRESENT: Sarah Swartzendruber, Rob Phipps, Jim Enloe, Meg Baron, Holly Hotchkiss,
Shelly McCafferty, B. Wilson, Kyle Kwaise, Laura Parker, Helen Burford,
Jim Easton, Esther Baker, Janet Ranbadonski, Michel Maharry, Hillary Sale,
Ryan O'Leary, John Morrison
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Maurer called the meeting to order at 5:02 pm.
CONSIDERATION OF THE JULY 15, 2005 BOARD MINUTES
MOTION: Alexander moved to approve the minutes as submitted. Wright seconded the motion.
Motion passed 5:0.
MOTION: Leigh moved to take the items out of order. Wood seconded the motion.
Motion passed 5:0
SPECIAL EXCEPTIONS:
EXC05-00015 Discussion of an application submitted by Iowa City Ready Mix for a special exception to
allow additions to a cement plant located in the General Industrial (I-1) zone at 1854 South Riverside
Drive.
Miklo said that cement plants are allowed by special exception within the General Industrial (I-1) zone. He
said that the current use, Iowa City Ready Mix, was established prior to this requirement in the zoning
ordinance and consequently was never required to go through a special exception process. He noted that
the owners wish to build a covered structure which will roof the 5 material hoppers and 4 dump trucks to
be parked in that location. He said that approval of the special exception for the proposed structure and
the existing use of the property will in effect legitimize the entire cement plant.
Miklo presented pictures with the location, the area, and existing facility. He said that there are 7 general
tests that need to be met.
Miklo said that the specific proposed exception should not be detrimental to or endanger the public
health, safety, comfort or general welfare. He mentioned that the staff is
not aware of issues related to traffic or safety concerns. He noted that it is adjacent to the Iowa River, but
is outside of the 100-year flood plain, so the staff does not anticipate problems related to flooding for the
property.
Miklo stated that the proposed exception should not be injurious to the use and enjoyment of other
property in the immediate vicinity and will not substantially diminish or impair property values in the
neighborhood. He said that the proposed changes are relatively small and are not expected, in staffs
view, to affect enjoyment of surrounding properties nor to diminish property values.
Miklo continued by saying that the establishment of the specific proposed exception should not impede
the normal and orderly development and improvement of the surrounding property for uses permitted in
the zone in which such property is located. He said that the proposed addition will not change the current
use of the property and consequently is not expected to have a significant effect on the development of
the surrounding properties.
Iowa City Board of Adjustment Minutes
September 14, 2005
Page 2
Miklo said that adequate measures should be taken to provide ingress or egress designed to minimize
traffic congestion on public streets. He added that the proposed covered structure is located away from
entry and exit points on the property and will not affect the ingress or ingress which are currently
adequate.
Miklo said that except for the specific regulations and standards applicable to the exception being
considered, the specific exception, in all other respects, conforms to the applicable regulations or
standards of the zone in which it is located. He mentioned that according to the Sensitive Areas
Ordinance, a natural buffer of 50 feet is required between the Iowa River and any development activity.
The proposed sheltered structure lies partially within 50 feet of the river. However, it is allowed for the
buffer to be reduced by up to 50% if certain circumstances exist. He added that the area does not contain
any significant native trees or prairie remnants. If the buffer is to be reduced, the ordinance states that
enhanced vegetative cover shall be provided in the remaining buffer area. He added that the river bank
contains extensive vegetation and it is steep, and it does not appear that it would be possible to plant
additional trees.
Next, Miklo said that the proposed use should be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan of the City. He
said that the South Central District portion of the Comprehensive Plan acknowledges the commercial and
industrial character of the area. The proposed changes are in conformance with the Comprehensive Plan.
Miklo said that staff recommends that EXC05-00015 an application submitted by Iowa City Ready Mix for
a special exception to allow additions to a cement plant located in the General Industrial (I-1) zone at
1854 South Riverside Drive be approved.
Wright said that the applicant is willing to address any lack of vegetation, and he asked if it is too steep
how they would address that. Miklo said that there is no lack of vegetation. He added that the code allows
the buffer to be reduced by up to 50% if additional vegetation is provided.
Holecek said that they are not proposing that the buffer will be reduced with 50%, but are making sure
that they will not reduce the buffer unless necessary to accommodate the new addition.
PUBLIC HEARING OPENED
NONE
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED
Leigh wanted to make sure that there will not be any further excavations in the Iowa River buffer area.
Miklo said that they will not do any excavations; the addition will be just above the existing structure.
MOTION: Alexander moved that EXC05-00015 an application submitted by Iowa City Ready Mix for
a special exception to allow additions to a cement plant located in the General Industrial (I-1) zone
at 1854 South Riverside Drive be approved subject to the 50-foot buffer be reduced only as
necessary to accommodate the proposed structure. Leigh seconded the motion.
Alexander will vote in favor of the application. She said that the specific proposed exception should not be
detrimental to or endanger the public health, safety, comfort or general welfare. She said that it appears
not to be injurious to the use and enjoyment of other property in the immediate vicinity and will not
substantially diminish or impair property values in the neighborhood. She noted that the changes are
relatively small, and consistent with the land uses surrounding the cement plant. Alexander said that it
should not impede the normal and orderly development and improvement of the surrounding property for
uses permitted in the zone in which such property is located. She said that no effects on ingress or
egress exist now, and the addition should not make any changes. In terms of the Sensitive Areas
Ordinance, it appears that the proposed sheltered structure will partially encroach within 50feet of the
river, but there are several provisions that are met. The proposed addition will not affect the buffer
between the cement plant and Iowa River, is not an area that has significant native trees or prairie
remnants, nor does it contains sensitive areas subject to the requirements of the sensitive areas
ordinance. She added that the proposed use should be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan of the
City.
Iowa City Board of Adjustment Minutes
September 14, 2005
Page 3
Wood will vote in favor. He said that there is nothing to indicate that it will be detrimental or endanger the
public health, safety, comfort or general welfare. He said that it will be a minor change to the property. He
noted that it will not be injurious to the use and enjoyment of other property in the immediate vicinity and
will not affect the traffic around the property. He said that there is concern about the natural buffer, but is
being addressed. He added that the proposed use should be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan of
the City.
Leigh will vote in favor for the reasons already stated. She added that her biggest concern was the
proximity to the river and the issues involved, but those had been adequately addressed.
Wright will also vote in favor. He said that for the reasons already stated it does appear to meet all
general standards. He added that the property lies outside the rivers flood plain which should be a great
consideration, and the cement plant has not been detrimental to the public health, safety, comfort or
general welfare, and is not expected to change that.
Maurer will vote in favor for the reasons already stated.
Motion passed 5:0.
VARIANCE
VAR05-00001 Discussion of an application submitted by Keming Zeng and Jie Zhou for a variance to
permit up to 30 roomers for property located in the Neighborhood Conservation Residential (RNC-12)
zone at 932 East College Street.
Wood excused himself due to conflict of interest.
Miklo said that the application is to allow up to 30 roomers to occupy the building at 932 East College
Street. He said that the property is non-conforming in terms of lot area, and parking. In absence of a
variance the property is permitted to be used for a non-conforming rooming house with a maximum
occupancy of 13 roomers. He said that the proposal is to increase from 13 to 30 the number of roomers
allowed.
Miklo stated that in 1997 a variance was granted to allow up to 30 occupants on the property. However,
the Board at that time placed a number of conditions on that decision. He mentioned that one condition
states that the variance is specifically to Leighton House LC, which will provide resident management of
the rooming house consistent with the principles outlined in the business plan dated July 1997; the
density variance is not applicable to any successors in title to the property. Miklo said that due to this very
specific condition placed on the previous variance it is not transferable, someone who buys the property
cannot have 30 occupants. Therefore the owners are applying for a new variance to allow up to 30
occupants.
Miklo said that the Iowa State Code, case law and the Iowa City Zoning Code contain a number of
requirements that the Board must find in order to grant variance. Miklo said that the Board must find that
the proposed variance is not contrary to the public interest; it will not threaten neighborhood integrity, nor
is going to have an adverse effect on the use of other properties in the area. In staff's opinion the
applicant does not meet this test. The zoning ordinance, he said, establishes maximum densities to guard
against overcrowding, and strain on public and private utilities and facilities necessary to preserve a
residential neighborhood. The applicant's property is located in a part of the city where there is an evident
shortage of both on- and off-street parking. Unless operated under the existing variance, the property
may be used to house up to 13 roomers yet provides only 2 off-street parking spaces. In staff's opinion,
allowing a total of 30 roomers, will likely result in additional traffic and demand for on-street parking.
Granting the applicant special privileges not enjoyed by neighbors, will add to the parking congestion in
the neighborhood.
Miklo said that the business plan on which the Board of Adjustment based its 1997 decision relied on the
then applicants' educational background and expertise, plans to provide twenty-four hour on-site resident
management by an experienced educator, academic support, professionally prepared meals,
housekeeping, transportation, offsite parking, security and plans to renovate the building. He noted that
Iowa City Board of Adjustment Minutes
September 14, 2005
Page 4
the current applicant has provided no information regarding their educational credentials or management
skills, or specifics on how they would implement the business plan.
Miklo noted that in 1997 the then applicant had indicated the parking would be addressed through leased
spaces in the Chauncey Swan public parking ramp and that transportation would be provided between
the ramp and 932 College Street. The City's Parking Division indicates that in 1997 two parking spaces
were leased for a period of three months, and the lease was not renewed. He added that the current
applicant has not addressed how they would provide parking.
Miklo said that the second criteria is that the proposed variance will be in harmony with the general
purpose and intent of the Zoning Chapter and will not contravene the objectives of the Comprehensive
Plan. Miklo said that the staff finds that the application does not meet this test. He added that for a
number of years the Comprehensive Plan and zoning map have reflected the City's intention to stabilize
this and surrounding neighborhoods, and allowing 30 roomers will not be consistent with the intent of the
City. More than doubling occupancy will increase congestion, noise, and neighborhood-wide parking
problems.
Finally, Miklo said, there is the test for unnecessary hardship which consists of three prongs. The property
in question cannot yield a reasonable return if used only for a purpose allowed in the zone where the
property is located. Miklo said that staff finds that the application does not meet this test. He added that
the applicants have not submitted any financial information that would allow the Board to conclude that
this property can not yield a reasonable return if used for a rooming house for 13 occupants. He said that
the application refers to the 1997 business plan as evidence that the property can not yield a reasonable
return, however the plan is out of date and does not reflect the current conditions, nor does it adequately
justify the need for more roomers.
Miklo said that even if the applicant was able to show that the application of the zoning law to his property
resulted in a diminishment of value, Iowa courts have found that in order to justify a variance, it must be
proven that the strict application of the zoning law practically destroys the value of the property.
Miklo said that the owner's situation has to be unique or peculiar to the property in question, and the
situation is not shared with other landowners in the area nor due to general conditions in the
neighborhood. He noted that staff finds that the application does not meet this requirement. He referred to
a table in the staff report that shows there are several other rooming houses in this neighborhood that
operate at a lower density than the 13 roomers currently permitted for 932 College Street. He added that
granting the variance to allow 17 additional roomers for the property would convey a special privilege to
the applicant that would not be afforded to other property owners in similar situations. He said that there
is nothing special about the physical characteristics of the property that warrants special privileges to this
property that other rental properties in this neighborhood do not enjoy.
Finally, Miklo said that the hardship is not of the landowner's or applicant's own making or that of a
predecessor in title. He noted that staff finds that the application does not meet this test. Although it is
true that changes in dimensional, density, and parking requirements were not caused by the property
owner or a predecessor in title, the applicant has not submitted any recent data to show that application
of these standards to this property has resulted in an unnecessary hardship.
The current owner's decision to invest in the property based on the 1997 business plan knowing that the
Board restricted the variance to Leighton House LC, was of their own making.
Staff iecommends that VAR05-00001 an application submitted by Keming Zeng and Jie Zhou for a
variance to permit up to 30 roomers for property located in the Neighborhood Conservation Residential
(RNC-12) zone at 932 East College Street be denied.
Maurer asked when was the zoning change, and if the prior zoning ordinance allowed for Something
different. Miklo said that the building was built in 1920's, and Iowa City adopted zoning in 1927, and
would classify the building as residential, but there were no specific requirements for parking, or
occupancy at that time. He said in 2000 the property was rezoned from RNC-20 to RNC-12. He said the
property was nonconforming with both the RNC-20 and RNC-12 zone in terms of density and parking.
Iowa City Board of Adjustment Minutes
September 14, 2005
Page 5
Maurer asked what is the history in terms of number of occupants in the building. He asked if there were
ever 30 occupants. Miklo said that they do not if the number ever was up to 30 roomers, or if it exceeded
it. Miklo said that the building contains at the ground level two-bedroom apartment, and on the upper
floors 13 individual rooming units.
Alexander asked if fraternities or sororities are in a different category within the zoning code. Miklo
answered that it is true, and it is different than a rooming house.
Maurer asked what was the classification of Leighton House. Miklo said that it was a rooming house for
zoning purposes.
PUBLIC HEARING OPENED
Sarah Swartzendruber, 1 South Gilbert Street, presented herself as the Leighton House attorney. She
said the applicants were not able to attend the meeting. She said that they require a variance to increase
the density from 13 roomers to 30 roomers. She noted that the reason of the application is due to a
technicality. She said that the property is currently operated in accordance with what is requested.
Swartzendruber said that in 1997 when the variance was granted, it was granted with three conditions,
that there will be limited to female roomers, limited to the current owner Leighton House LC, and that it
will operate in accordance to the business plan. She said that they are asking that a new variance is
granted without the condition of having just female roomers, and without the limitation that Leighton
House LC has to be the owner of the property. She said that the legality of both conditions is debatable,
and she would be concerned about the City's decision to limit the occupancy to one gender over another,
and also limiting the conditions of the property to a specific ownership. Se noted that variances usually
run with the land and are not specific to an individual owner, being based on the use of the property not
the ownership of the property. She said that she does not believe that the City or the Board are qualified
to determine who is qualified to operate a particular property.
Swartzendruber said that both owners will be required to operate the property in accordance with the
business plan. She said that if they do not operate the property under those conditions the Board has the
authority to revoke the variance. She added that it will not be appropriate to limit it to one particular owner
over the other.
She said that it is very seldom that the Board is able to see how the decisions are going to affect the use
and operation of the property. She said that in this particular case the property will be operated in the
same way it has been operated for the past 8 years. She said that there has not been any evidence that
parking had been a problem, or that this had a negative effect on the neighborhood, or that is detrimental
at all. Swartzendruber said that the Board has the information going forward in determining whether this
would be an appropriate use for the property. She added that a Board already looked at the requirements
and determine that they are met, there is unnecessary hardship, it will not be detrimental to the
neighborhood, and is in accordance to the Comprehensive Plan.
She said that denying the variance due to a change in ownership is not appropriate. She added that the
denial of variance based on a new owner when everything else remains the same could be considered an
arbitrary and capricious decision.
She added that one issue raised in the City staff report is the character of the neighborhood. She noted
that it is not a primary single-family neighborhood. She said that they are not requesting a high density in
a middle of predominantly single-family units. She said that they are requesting the property to continue
to be used the way it was used for the past 8 years. She noted that the property will continue to be used
under the terms requested.
Maurer asked how many residents are currently in the house.
Phipps, 4226 Westridge Court, said that there are currently 8, and there has been between 15 and 23 in
the past. Maurer asked if the property has been operated according to the variance granted in 1997.
Phipps said that it was operated according to the variance.
Wright asked if they ever had 30 roomers. Phipps said they never had 30 people.
Iowa City Board of Adjustment Minutes
September 14, 2005
Page 6
Maurer asked if the residents are all females. Phipps said that it hasn't been all females for the last three
years. He added that they operated with males in the past two years.
Maurer asked if they operate primarily as a rooming house. Phipps said that it is student housing mostly
for undergraduates.
Wright asked if the property had been operated outside the requirements of the variance. Phipps said that
they operated with males instead of females.
Alexander asked if it was single gender housing. Phipps said that they had single gender roomers.
Maurer asked who decides that the variance is not transmissible to any successor. Holecek said that was
decided by the Board of Adjustment in 1997, and the Board wanted to make the decision applicable
based on the specific business plan, and based on the qualifications of the applicant. Holecek said the
City acknowledges that the operator should not be restricted to leasing rooms based on gender.
Wright asked if based on the Iow occupancy existing in the past, was the return of the investment for
those years adequate to pay for the expenses. Phipps said that the building needs 30 occupants.
James Enloe, 1106 East College Street, said that he would like to address two issues. He said that the
owners are not currently operating in compliance with the business plan, in terms of parking
requirements. He said that he lived in the neighborhood since before the variance was granted and had
seen the parking density increase, and quality of life degrade as a consequence of that. He said that he is
not in favor of granting the variance to new owners, which will negatively impact on property values. He
noted that they live in a historic district, and are already regulated by conditions of what can and can not
be done to the houses. He said that he is particularly concerned about the increase density in traffic, and
congestion and parking that will impinge upon the quality of life and safety of the children.
Maurer asked f the detrimental effect had taken place during the past eight years. Enloe said that he lived
there before the current variance was granted and noticed an increase in density of parking since the
variance was granted.
Meg Baron, 115 South Summit Street, said that they live directly north of the property in question. She
said that traffic in the neighborhood is outrageous. She added that finding a place to park on the street is
almost impossible. Baron said that she does not believe that the Leighton House had any off-street
parking. She noted that the neighborhood is very congested. She said that if the variance is allowed,
maybe she should turn her house into a big rooming house and get the same benefits. She said she is
very much against the application, and would hope the Board will vote against it.
Holly Hotchkiss, 2325 Summit Street, said that she had been in the neighborhood for 14 years and the
parking has always been a challenge. She noted that more cars will negatively affect the quality of life,
and is opposed to it.
Shelly McCafferty, 228 South Summit Street, said that she did some quick calculations and determine
that within one block area of the property in question there are currently 53 units that have no or very little
parking space. She noted that there is a shortage of about 50 parking spaces. She said that she owns
one apartment that does not have parking, and the addition of potential 17 units would create a shortage
of 66 parking spaces within a 1 block area. She said that she is concerned about the value of her
property. If there was a provision showing that there will be no parking associated with the use proposed,
and would be enforced than she would be ok with the variance.
B. Wilson, 1110 East College Street, said that she lived near downtown Iowa City for over 25 years. She
noted that she is not against students, or renters, but she is against density. She said that the current 13
roomers is reasonable, and gives each person a room. She said that she sees no reason for a variance.
She said that the previous plan included management and educational components which are not being
continued.
Kyle Kwaise, 935 East College Street, said that he is a former Board member of River City Housing
Collective. He said that they were able to operate three houses with one person per room and are
financially stable. He noted that there are about 10 people in his house with 3 cars and 2 parking spots.
Iowa City Board of Adjustment Minutes
September 14, 2005
Page 7
He said that the number of cars could fluctuate from year to year regardless of whether or not Leighton
House puts more than one person per room. He said that his roommates, especially those that own the
cars are opposed to the idea of competing more for parking spots.
Laura Parker, 200 South Summit, said that she is the current president of River City Housing Collective.
She said that it is not in their best interest for the variance to be granted mainly for the parking issue. She
stated that having parking available for their members is very important to be able to sustain the
membership. She added that all their houses are run with one person per room, which worked fine for the
financial situation.
Helen Burford, 528 East College Street, said she is representing herself and her in-laws. She added that
her in-laws have lived in the neighborhood for over 36 years. She said that there are considerable efforts
by the City to downzone the area and to revive the residential nature of the area. Burford said that
recently there have been some major restorations in the area. These are investments of the people in the
community to make it a residential area. She said that College Street has always had rooming houses,
but it has been a mixed neighborhood, and by increasing the density of the area is contrary to the plans of
the City. She said that there are big parking problems, there are issues with visibility on corners because
people park closer to the corners, and accidents due to these issues.
Jim Easton, 1039 East College Street, said that they are in the process of moving into their house. He
added that the appeal of the neighborhood for them was that it is a very pleasant historic residential
neighborhood close to downtown. He noted that they once had a yard with 6 different types of grass in it,
and he had a hard time keeping them separated because different people had grown different types of
lawns at different types. He said that it was impossible to do that. He said that they are in the next zoning
area from the Leighton House, but the carryover is high, both in terms of parking, or character and value
of properties.
Esther Baker, 1022 East College Street, said that she is concerned about density and the changing
character of the neighborhood. She noted that it is not an anti student issue, but she is concerned about
the slippery slope effect of this. She added that if a variance is allowed here who can stop other people
from requesting the same consideration. She said that the business plan is old, and there is evidence that
it will be detrimental. She said there are people talking about the parking, and there had been times with
so much competition for parking, and people try to squeeze their cars in very small places, and her
driveway was blocked several times by a car trying desperately to fit in. She added that even is spaces
are rented else where, out of convenience people are going to stay in the neighborhood and try to find a
spot there.
Janet Rasbadonski, 925 East Washington Street, said that they are new to the community. She said that
while they have parking spaces for themselves, when they have relatives visiting it is really difficult for
them to find parking. She said that another concern is about property values, noise, parking issues, and
quality of life. She noted that currently the neighborhood offers a great quality of life and would not want
to see that degraded.
Michael Maharry, 903 East College Street, said that he is opposed to the variance, and concerned about
the parking issue and the detrimental effect on the neighborhood. He noted that the owners of the
Leighton House are currently in violation of the existing variance, and would ask city staff to investigate
the issue.
Hillary Sale, 1016 East College Street, said that she opposes the request for variance. She noted that
there were a lot of testimonies from people in the neighborhood about the impact on parking, density, and
other concerns. She said that the neighborhood is very congested, and it has been more congested since
1997 when the Leighton House went in. She said that she attended that hearing, and there were all kinds
of promises made by the Leighton House, which have not been kept. She said that she would also echo
the call for city staff to investigate the current variance. She noted that the business plan said that the
management of the Leighton House would be in residence, and the managing partners have not been in
the house for years. She said that it has been at a point a fraternity. She said that they cannot legally be a
fraternity. She said that the activity of the fraternity had been disruptive of the neighborhood. She said
that there has been no evidence of transportation being provided to the residents of Leighton House She
said that at a point they had a fraternity against the provisions of the business plan. She said that it is not
a technicality; they did not present a business plan.
Iowa City Board of Adjustment Minutes
September 14, 2005
Page 8
Ryan O'Leary, 1924 Muscatine Avenue, said that there were a lot of things idealized in the 1997 business
plan for Leighton House, and one of those was a resident manager being present. He noted that Diane
Phipps left the property after finding out she had cancer. He said that as a real estate agent that
represents the buyer and the seller of the property, as a life time resident in Iowa City he has all kinds of
thoughts about it. He noted that he is in support of the buyer being able to operate the house as the
previous owners could. He said that for the benefit of the buyer they ask to manage the property in
accordance to the business plan. They know that the economic hardship has been proven, and by
changing the use of the property would mean confiscating the real value of the property and eliminating
the ability for reasonable return. He said that no resident had requested parking spaces. He said that the
property is marketed for students who do not have furniture who can come and have a furnished room,
with food, and a place to learn.
Phipps said that they always had a resident manager. They also had a van parked in the driveway. He
noted that there has not been police calls regarding any parties, and people that lived there said that it is
a quiet house
Swartzendruber said that the property had been operated in these terms for eight years, and still people
moved in the neighborhood, and no diminishing in properties exists. She added that one neighbor said
that the quality of the neighborhood is currently good, and she said that they request that the
neighborhood stays the same as it currently is, but with a different owner. She said that the multitude of
parking issues can not be blamed on Leighton House. She said that there are relatively high density
buildings in the neighborhood that all contributed to the issue. She said that there was an argument about
the slippery slope effect, but it is not relevant because the house has unique characteristics. She added
that the owners had made efforts to create a beautiful structure, and to manage it in the best ways
possible.
John Morrison, 115 South Summit Street, said that the reason there is no parking problem currently is
because the Leighton house has only 8 renters. He said that 13 makes it crowded and 30 makes it
impossible. He said that they put a lot of money in the house, but they did not stick to the plan, did not
work in keeping the tenants in. He said they do not currently have enough people in to make a problem of
the parking.
Swartzendruber said that there were members of a fraternity renting at some point, but there were also
residents that were not members in the fraternity.
O'Leary, said that one important concern is the usefulness of the property and people need to understand
that if you put 30 people in the house is not the same nature of occupancy, or marketing. He said that the
proof of the hardship is in the spreadsheet. He said that the rooming units are generally rented to lower
income students, to students with special needs on a limited budget.
Burford said that it appears that there is no continuance of the previous variance and the property is
currently nonconforming and the City had down zoned the area, having 13 occupants is already higher
than other buildings in the area. She said that the buyer is not buying the business plan. She noted that
the community should have some input in what is done.
Ranbadonski said that the property recently purchased by her family has to be maintained as an owner
occupied property. She said that Leighton House made investments in their property knowing that the
variance could not be continued with the property. The fact that they could not get at least 13 residents
should not be held upon the rest of community. They made the decision knowing that the variance will not
be transferred to the new owner.
Hotchkiss said that the housing market has changed. She said that there are more comfortable student
housing units near downtown area, and a definite trend for single bedroom apartments. She noted that it
is less likely that the Leighton house will fill up with responsible tenants at double occupancy with fewer
restrictions. She said that if they make poor business decisions the City and the neighborhood are not
obliged to pay for the mistakes.
Iowa City Board of Adjustment Minutes
September 14, 2005
Page 9
Parker said that River City Housing Collective houses are able to run with 10 to 16 occupants, with
average rent of $250, and total bills being paid for an average $400. She noted that worked fine for them,
and were even able to purchase a new house.
Anonymous said that they are trying to increase the number of people, when they did not honor the old
variance
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED
MOTION: Leigh moved that VAR05-00001 Discussion of an application submitted by Kerning Zeng
and Jie Zhou for a variance to permit up to $0 roomers for property located in the Neighborhood
Conservation Residential (RNC-12) zone at 952 East College Street be approved. Alexander
seconded the motion.
Wright will vote against the application. He said that it has to meet the standards for a variance of not
being contrary to the public interest, and proving a unnecessary hardship. He noted that it has to meet
both standards and the application does not. He said that the first standard states that the proposed
variance is not contrary to the public interest; it will not threaten neighborhood integrity, nor is going to
have an adverse effect on the use of other properties in the area. He said that continuing the variance will
continue degradation of properties in the area and will prove detrimental to values of the properties. He
said that parking is a serious issue. He said that the variance is not in compliance with the intent of the
Zoning Code. He said that the second criterion is that the neighborhood was down zoned to protect the
residential character, and existing properties. He said that it would be appropriate for the property to be
rented at a level of 13, but inappropriate at the level of 30. Wright said that the proposed variance will not
be in harmony with the general purpose and intent of the Zoning Chapter and will contravene the
objectives of the Comprehensive Plan. Wright said that there was no proof showing that not extending the
variance will cause unnecessary hardship. There was no financial information. He said that the owner
situation is not particular unique. He said that there was no information showing that the standards cause
hardship to the owners. They made the improvements knowing that the subsequent owners will be limited
to 13 roomers.
Leigh will vote against the application. She said that the previous Board limited the variance to just
Leighton House, and made it not applicable to any successors because it was granted under so many
special considerations. She said that the other rooming houses and buildings that are operating at half of
the proposal occupancy, and allowing the Leighton house to operate at full capacity would give them a
special consideration.
Alexander will vote against the application. She said that they are asked to apply very specific sets of
criteria to a very specific question. Given that, she said, the variance was specifically non-transferable.
She said that they are asked to look at a new variance, and given that the applicant has to meet all the
criteria. She said that the down zoning that occurred is a significant aspect, and the situation is not
peculiar to this property.
Maurer said he would like to allow the property to continue as before but that the applicant had not made
a case to do so. He asked if there is any change in the variance if the property is not sold. Holecek said
that the owners who received the variance in 1997 can continue to use it according to the variance. She
said that a new buyer could buy the LC. Maurer said that it is the structure of the corporation that makes it
an LC. He said that the variance does not go with the property but it goes with the LC. Maurer said that
the property will continue the way it has been, and the situation with parking will not change. He said that
parking will not change if the property will not be sold. He said that there is not enough that says to go in
favor of the variance, even though there are points that would persuade in that direction. He said the
application did not demonstrate that the test for a variance had been met.
Motion failed 0:4.
OTHER
NONE
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT INFORMATION
Iowa City Board of Adjustment Minutes
September 14, 2005
Page 10
NONE
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Alexander moved to adjourn, Leigh seconded the motion. The meetin9 adjourned at
7 PM.
s : lpcdlmi nuteslBOAI2005109-14-O5, doc
Board of Adjustment
Attendance Record
2005
Term
Name Expires 01/12 02/09 03/09 04/13 05/11 06/08 07/13 08/10 09/14 10/12 11/09 12/14
Carol Alexander 01/01/08 X X X NM X X X X X
Ned Wood 01/01/10 .... X X NM X X X O/E X
Karen Lei§h 01/01/07 X O/E X NM X X X X X~
Vincent Maurer 01/01/06 X O/E X NM X X X X X
Michael Wright 01/01/09 X X X NM X X X X X
Key:
X = Present
O -- Absem
O/E = Absent/Excused
NM = No Meeting
..... Not a Member