HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-05-02 Info Packet of 4/27 CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION PACKET
April 27, 2000
I .. M_A_Y_ 1_ _W_O_R_K_SESSION ITEMS .....
IP1 Agenda: Joint Meeting - Police Citizens Review Board
IP2 Memorandum from City Manager: Employee Clothing
IP3 Draft Resolution from Students Against Sweatshops: Recommendation that the
University of Iowa Immediately Withdraw from the Fair Labor Association
(FLA)
IP4 Emails from/to Ross Wilburn/Kristen Gast: Resolution Concerning the Ul's
Involvement in the Fair Labor Association (FLA)
I MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
IP5 Email from Irvin Pfab: A Plea for Participants for Election Campaign Study
IP6 Memorandum from City Manager: Upcoming City Council Issues
IP7 Memorandum from City Manager: Broadway Neighborhood
IP8 Certificate of Insufficiency
IP9 Memorandum from Community Development Coordinator to City Manager:
Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership
Program Assistance to For-profit Organizations
IP10 Letter from Crissy Cangaelli (EHP): Open House
IP11 Letter from L. Graham Dameron (JC Department of Public Health to Dan and
Karmella Glasgow: Tobacco
IP12 Minutes: March 30 East Central Iowa Council of Governments [Vanderhoef]
IP13 Article: In Portland, Ore., Houses Are Friendly. Or Else. [Norton]
IP14 Invitation: 2000 Ida Beam Distinguished Lecture Series
Information regarding taxation of mobile homes (Vanderhoef)
Information on' the D.A.R.E. program (Kanner)
Memo from Associate Planner regarding Historic Preservation Commission review
of National Register Nomination for the Bethel A.M.E. Church, 411 S. Governor.
Information regarding Deer Management Committee current members and
recommended members
Meno~from City Mahager regarding Upcoming Events.
Info Packet
April 27, 2000
page 2
Press release regarding serving on the ad-hoc Iowa City Deer Management Committee.
Driver of the Year Award 2000 - Ernest Dennis, SOlid Waste employee.
AGENDA
Joint Meeting of the PCRB and the City Council
6:30 - 7:00 p.m.
May 1, 2000
City Council Chambers
Introductions
PCRB Responsibilities
1. Review all complaints of police misconduct
2. Help the Chief, City Manager, and City Council evaluate the overall
performance of the ICPD
3. Assure the citizens of Iowa City that ICPD performance is in keeping
with community standards
Progress Report
· Approaching the end of our third year
· Complaint trends
· Communication with ICPD increasing (an officer attends each meeting)
· Preparing to review year-one data related to traffic stops
Issues/Concerns
· "Report Card" from City Council
· Sunset Clause
· "Cost" of PCRB
· Participation/Cooperation of Officers
PCRB Issues/Concerns
"Report Card" from City Council. We have assumed from the start that
the PCRB was designed as a semi-autonomous body. Although appointed by
and responsible to the City Council, we have thought and acted as if we were
also directly accountable to the citizens of Iowa City. We recognize and
appreciate that, for the most part, the City Council has treated us as semi-
autonomous and has allowed for a necessary degree of independence from
both Council and staff. We do believe, however, that the "arms length"
nature of this relationship has at times seemed to discourage open and
candid communication, and may have led to misunderstanding and
adversarial feelings at other times.
But we board members believe that a certain amount of ambiguity and
tension in our relationship with the city "goes with the territory" within
which the PCRB operates, and we just keep moving forward.
In keeping with our accountability to the Council, at our May 1 meeting, we
would appreciate a candid and constructive evaluation of our performance
against criteria and in terms that will help us carry out our charge as
effectively as possible.
Sunset Clause. Although the PCRB was established in the aftermath of the
Eric Shaw tragedy, we have assumed the Council had more than a curative
role in mind for it. We feel it will be difficult, if not impossible in the short
term, to quantify the positive impact the PCRB may be having. (In fact, it is
probably easier to quantify the costs, additional work, and the other
difficulties it may cause, particularly for staff). However, we hope the
Council will agree that there is intrinsic long-term value in the existence of
an independent body to review citizen complaints regarding police conduct,
to advise the City on overall performance of the Iowa City Police
Department, and to serve as a "forum" on community standards for police
performance and policy. We are confident that the PCRB will become a
source of pride for the City of Iowa City, just as the Human Rights
Commission has,
Cost of PCRB. Last year, we learned that some Council Members were
concerned about the cost of the PCRB. Since the PCRB's budget is small,
we assume these concerns refer to the amount of time the Police Department
and the City Attorney's office devote to PCRB business. We have developed
a process for reviewing complaints in accordance with the ordinance that is
thorough and fair to all involved parties, but is at the same time attentive to
costs. If there were no PCRB, the City would undoubtedly continue to incur
costs associated with citizen complaints against police officers. We also
believe that the PCRB may serve a loss prevention function, quite possibly
preventing or reducing police misconduct and the risk of civil action against
the City of Iowa City.
Participation/Cooperation of Officers. In recent months, officers that are
subject of complaints have consistently turned down requests to release
transcripts of interviews and offers to participate in name-clearing hearings
and mediation. While we understand why officers might prefer to exercise
the fourth amendment right not to release transcripts, we are troubled by
refusals to participate in mediation and name-clearing hearings. We are
particularly concerned that the police union has encouraged or directed
officers not to participate in either of these activities.
We would welcome the Council 's perspective on all these matters.
04-27-00
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM "
Date: April 24, 2000
To: City Council
From: City Manager
Re: Employee Clothing
Our Central Services Administrator, Mary Niichel, has completed a review of
other potential suppliers of our City logo clothing. You may recall this is the
clothing we offer for purchase by our employees. This clothing is paid for by
the employee.
We have located other vendors which comply with our purchasing policy. I
have authorized her to proceed. The cost per unit for the clothing will
increase; however, given the fact it is a "choice purchase" for the employee
we believe the increase to be reasonable.
We believe we have fulfilled our purchasing policy and remain sensitive to the
sweatshop issue. However, we must also keep in mind that by denying
clothing purchases to those companies who are alleged to operate a
"sweatshop environment," we also deny work to those individuals who, by
choice or necessity, work in that environment. It certainly can be argued the
higher calling is to eliminate sweatshops. We must be realistic that the denial
of any work to an individual is a concern closer to their home, not ours.
cc: Department Directors
Mgr\rnem~newcloth.doc
Draft Resolution: Recommendation that the University of Iowa immediately Withdraw
from the Fair Labor Association (FLA)
Whereas, sweatshops are work places in which people work in sub-standard conditions
including sub-n~inimum wages, no benefits, non-payment of wages, forced overtime,
sexual harassment, verbal abuse, corporal punishment, illegal firings, child labor, forced
sterilization, birth control and pregnancy tests, hazardous conditions and prohibition of
unions;
Whe'reas, sweatshop conditions have been documented in the production of
university-licensed apparel, including that of the University of Iowa;
Whereas the University of Iowa is currently a member of the Fair Labor Association
(FI,A), a non-profit corporation created in April 1997, which is dominated by
corporations and non-profit organizations partially financed by these corporations;
Whereas the FLA has a weak code of conduct which does not guarantee a living wage,
does not guarantee workers' rights to organize, has weak provisions for the protection of
women's rights, and allows factories to be monitored by people selected and paid by the
corporations themselves;
Whereas, the University of Iowa's shoe contracts with Nike and Reebok are worth over
$200,000 annually, and Nike and Reebok are both members of the FLA, which raises
serious concerns about a conflict of interest and the ethical priorities of the university;
Whereas, the City of Iowa has recognized the importance of stopping sweatshop abuses
with its moratorium on certain apparel which may be produced in sub-standard
conditions.
Whereas, the City of Iowa acknowledges that the impacts of the University of Iowa
policies are not limited to the sphere of academia, but also affect the many Iowa City
residents who work~ study, and are otherwise affiliated with the uni,,'ersity,
Be it resolved that this body strongly recommends that President Mary Sue Coleman
withdraw the University of Iowa's support from the FLA immediately, thus restoring tl~e
integrity and moral leadership expected by students, faculty, alumni, and the residents of
Iowa City.
w. auu_-
U.S.' Senator
" 'T0 HARKtN0 ;xo
http:/!w~t. seaate. gov/~haxkin/ (202) 224-3254
FOR I/v~fFI'JIATE RELEASE Conta;t: Jennifer Frost/Shlon Tes~dshl
April 4, 2000
]L-A,,,R,]-cl~ APPLAUDS U of I STUDENTS EFFORTS TO PEACEFULLY
PROTEST ABUSIVE LABOR PtL~CTICES O1~ UNBrERSITY APPAREL
W'ASI4_D,IGTON - U.S- Senator Tom Harldn CD-IA) today applauded the efforts of the
University of Iowa Students Against SweatshOps to prolist again.qt abusive labor practices.
- "l applaud the efforts .Of'these ~madents to ensure that the Univ~si,t7 of Iowa supports
- worker and kuman fights in companies that produce apparel under its Hcenses," said Harkin.
"We all know that sweatsh6p and abusive child labor will not vanish overnight. The real
measure of progress must be in the changed and improved lives end livelihoods of workers end
On Monday, April 3, protesters took over PresidearMory Sue Coleman's office in a
pSef'lli dr-~loQ,$'trst:j011 agaill_et the Universi,ty's afrll/ation witk the Fair Labor Association
(.~LA).
Altho-,~h they were removed from the qffic~ by University Public Safety officcrx, they
continued their Frolest in Jessup Hall. The students are demanding that UI. afl~llate with the
Workers l~,._h_~ Consortlure (WRC), disatY:~iate with the H.A, iand prOduce within two wccB a
13I code of conduct that all companies ,_hat have license agreements with the UI would be
required to sign.
The Lrn iv~-~sj. ty. of Iowa aged to become a member of the WRC, but ~ afPjiates with
the FLA stating ',hat the organiT-adoll has not yet had a chance to prov~ itself. In response to the
studeat"s protest, President Coleman has appointed a 12 member committee to write a code of
'conduct for the 'Uni'terii.*y.
I-I~.kin se~z a let:.er ~.~ the University. of low~ Students A4gainst Sweatshops on February
23, 2000, suating, ":~v'e need more students like yourselves to di~Lay the commitment you have
shown to ensuring ajus~ and fair workplace,"
-30-
The following is a partial list of groups and individuals who declared support for the UI
Students Against Sweatshops:
University
· UI Center for Human Rights
· UI Charter Committee on Human Rights
· UI Student Government
· Graduate Student Senate
· International Alliance for People's Movements
· Students for Social Change
· Newman Catholic Center and Peace and Justice Group
· UI Student Democrats
· Business Students Cam
· Iowa International Socialist Organization
· USAS chapters around the country including Yale, Purdue, and others
Labor
· Iowa City Federation of Labor
· Iowa AFL-CIO
· United Steel Workers of America
· United Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers of America
· UE Local 896 - COGS (UI Graduate Employees)
· AFSCME Local 12 (UI Staff)
· SEIU (UI ltospital Nurses and Staff)
· IBEW Local 405 (Rockwell-Collins)
Political
· US Senator Tom Harkin
· Johnson County Democrats
· Senator Tom Harkin
· Johnson County Labor Party
· Iowa City Green Party
· members of several local churches
· many local businesses who sent support during the SAS sit-in
Marian Karr
From: Ross Wilburn
Sent: Monday, April 24, 2000 10:27 AM
To: Babywitch7@aol .com
Cc: Ernie Lehman; Steve Atkins; Marian Karr
Subject: RE: Resolution concerning the Ul's involvement in the Fair Labor Association (FLA)
Hi Kristen. rm curious, has the Students Against Sweatshops group made any attempts to "get at the table" with the
university at any meetings the FLA may have?
I don't know that council is hesitant to "take a position that may seem adversarial to the university" as you say (although I
have not discussed it with them). I think it more likely that council tends not to pass resolutions that are or perceived to be
"out of our jurisdiction" or unrelated to organizations that we provide funding. For example, sometimes the state of Iowa
controls and passes laws that in many ways have a negative impact on cities and the way cities conduct their business.
Yet, council tends not to pass resolutions encouraging the state to make changes. However, individual council members &
some city staff have "lobbied" different positions on issues that effect cities. In addition, the city belongs to an organization
called the Iowa League of Cities that represents and lobbies on behalf of cities at the state & national level. Needless to
say, the League of Cities sometimes advocates positions that individual council members would not support. However, I
think most councilors recognize the importance of having a collective voice, representation, and chance to "be at the
table" for discussions.
I commend the SAS successful effort at getting the University to join the Worker's Rights Consortium (WRC). It would be
great if you could get the University to take a leadership role in this organization. However, I find myself in agreement with
Professor Emeritus Burns Weston (at the College of Law) that for the moment, keeping the simultaneous membership in
the Fair Labor Association (FLA) and trying to influence the positions/actions of that organization is a fair position taken by
President Coleman (see his guest opinion in the April 21, 2000 Iowa City Press-Citizen). If you could work it out so that
there could be student representation at any of the FLA meetings, along with the University, then that may give you the
opportunity to influence that organization.
Thank you for expressing your concern and good luck with your efforts at improving human rights.
Respectfully,
Ross Wilburn
Councilmember
You ================================================================================================================
My name is Kristen Gast. I am a resident of Iowa City, a student at UI, and
a member of Students Against Sweatshops. As I indicated when I presented the
resolution at the city council meeting last Tuesday, I, as a resident, was
very encouraged by the city's recent moratorium on the purchase of apparel
which was believed to be produced in sweatshops. I think this demonstrates a
great deal of compassion and intelligence.
As a student, I have grown increasingly frustrated by urs policy on
sweatshop labor, which I believe is much less compassionate and
well-reasoned than is the current position of the city council. Despite
being denounced by former members like US apparel industry unions, interfaith
groups, and human rights groups who helped in the formation of the FLA
because of their shared conviction that it served as a corporate facade
behind which sweatshop labor can continue and flourish, the university
continues its affiliation with the labor association.
It has been hypothesized, and I believe this hypothesis, that the university
is staying with the FLA only because it have lucrative shoe contracts with
two of the rounding members, Nike and Reebok. Nike has already withdrawn
financial support from two universities, Brown and the University of Oregon
when they decided to join a sweatshop monitoring group with stricter
regulations, better monitoring techniques, and all the supporters who left
the FLA in its earlier stages. In Oregon, Nike CEO Phillip Knighrs alma
mater, he personally withdrew about $30 million dollars which had been
earmarked for a football stadium renovation. At Brown, a hockey contract was
cancelled. This happened just before the newly formed Workers' Rights
Consortium's first-ever meeting, an obvious threat to other, larger and more
athleticly popular schools that the same fate may await them if they followed
Brown's moral example.
I understand that this is a difficult position for the university. President
1
Mary Sue Coleman and her advisors want to do the right thing on the
'"sweatshop issue," but are certainly feeling the pressure put on them by FLA
member corporations like Nike. If UI attempts to push a more stringent code
of conduct or to catalyze reforms, and those athletic contracts with the
university are cancelled, it could mean UI may have to shoulder a greater
portion of the coaches inflated salaries and that the athletic programs would
have to absorb the cost of buying their own shoes and uniforms. I believe,
though, that these are consequences the university must be willing to accept,
at least temporarily. It is wholly likely that if this scenario were to play
out, that a more accommodating and responsible apparel producer would quickly
fill the void, eager to make some money off of the school's renowned
athelitcs programs.
I understand also that the municipal government may be hesitant to create the
image of assuming a role adversarial to the position university. I assure
you, that is not the case. Quite simply, the City of Iowa has recently taken
measures to establish itself as an active player in the fight for global
human rights. It is not only reasonable, but responsible, for them to
encourage the largest institution in their city to do likewise. I believe
this is an ideal opportunity for you, as councillors, to open a dialogue with
the university on this issue to accomplish a goal that we all share: to
ensure human rights on a global level.
If you have any questions regarding this resolution, I hop you will contact
me at XXXXXXXX
Sincerely,
Kristen Cast
210 Davenport Street,
Marian Karr
From: Ross Wilburn
Sent: Tuesday, April 25, 2000 12:10 AM
To: Babywitch 7@aol. com
Cc: Marian Karr
Subject: RE: Resolution concerning the Ul's involvement in the Fair Labor Association...
Kristen, I don't doubt that you all have put in lots of work trying to effect change. I don't view belonging to both
organizations as "fence sitting". I'm sure we disagree on this point. I have belonged to several youth organizations that all
claim to "advocate for the benefit of youth". They do so at varying degrees and philosophical stances. I stayed involved to
try and influence opinions different from my own. Each organization would continue advocating for (and working with)
youth regardless if I stayed involved, so I felt that staying connected at least gave me the opportunity to change some of
their views (staying at the table with them--keeping the possibility of dialogue and influence open).
My point was that I think there can be a benefit to trying to change an organization from within. It can take time. (I am not
saying that to get you to halt your efforts. You all are going to do what you believe is right-and I support your right to do so.
) My hunch is that we may disagree as to how much time one should allow for that change to occur. A few years ago, I
helped to make significant changes (structural and procedural) at a local human services organization that I was employed
at. It took about 2 years for the changes to occur and probably another year for the organization to get comfortable with
those changes. I think it is an improved organization because of the changes, but In that case, I probably couldn't have
had that impact if I had left the agency.
Feel free to send me whatever information you wish that expresses your opinion and I'll take a look at it when I have a
moment. I am not trying to change your position. I was just letting you know that we disagree about the appropriate action
of the University, in regards to simultaneous membership in FLA and WRC.
Good luck with your efforts!
Ross Wilburn
Marian Karr
From: Babywitch7@aol .com
Sent: Monday, April 24, 2000 7:05 PM
To: Ross Wilburn@iowa-city.org
Cc: Ernie'Lehman@iowa-city.org; Steve_Atkins@iowa-city.org; Marian_Karr@iowa-city.org
Subject: Re: I~esolution concerning the Ul's involvement in the Fair Labor Association...
I'm not sure exactly what you mean by "get at the table" with UI at FLA
meetings. If I am reading this correctly, no, UI SAS representatives have
not made an attempt to work with the university to reform the FLA. We feel
that such attempts would be futile. The FLA has already received several (by
several I mean roughly one hundred) proposed modifications, mostly from
student groups like ours or from universities who are echoing the requests of
those student groups. They have all been denied. These have been requests
requiring full disclosure of factory locations, asking for a minimum, living
wage, which of course, would be determined by the indigenous economies,
requests for mandatory independent factory monitors, and requests for more
stringent protections of women's rights. The FLA has made no move to improve
any aspect of their weak code of conduct at the urging of its universtiy
affliates nor at the requests of the students they represent. Additionally,
there is only one university rep on a board of thirteen, making it improbable
for the colligiate apparel industry to be in any way responsible to the
colleges and universities themselves. The FLA is responsible only to its
corporate members and the human rights organizations on the board, the
majority of whom are funded by sweatshop-using companies.
We have, however, spoken with two different human rights committees which
report directly to President Coleman. Both of these reccommended immediate
dissolution of ties with the FLA. We have spoken with the Athletic Board of
Directors and met with Ann Rhodes. We have presented to, and gained the
support of the Graduate Student Senate and the UISG. We have support from
numerous other organizations, university-affiliated and otherwise. You can
see some of these organizations listed in the supplement to the resolution
provided you at last Tuesday's meeting. We have tried speaking with Mary Sue
Coleman directly, and during our sit-in, tried repeatedly to speak with her
to negotiate the school's affiliation with the FLA. We have exhausted the
avenues open to us within the university setting. This is why we have
decided to move to a municipal level.
Your position is a common one: the the UI should remain in both the FLA and
in the WRC until one has proven it has a better track record than the other.
On a basic analytical level, this makes sense. However, in this case, I
think a fence-sitting position will prove detrimental in the long run.
First, there are several concerns about the structure of the FLA that need to
be examined. As I mentioned previously, they have a painfully weak code of
conduct which denies workers the right to organize, the right to a living
wage, allows loopholes for forced overtime, and has weak provisions for
women's rights. As I have also mentioned, more than a hundred proposals for
modifications of these weak clauses have come from universities and student
groups which the FLA claims to represent. Their outright denial in some
cases, and in others, their deliberate inaction, demonstrate an unwillingness
to modify this code to make it more effective. Continued affiliation with
association so unresponsive to the desires of universities is not only
unlikely to produce the results the schools seek (sweatshop-free licensed
merchandise), but it is foolhardy.
Also, the fact that in three years it has not monitored a single factory is
cause for suspicion. The FLA claims it is too newly orgnaized and too poorly
funded to yet have the resources to actually follow through on its promises
to universities to inspect factories where collegiate apparel is made. This
is simply ridiculous. If the companies who formed the FLA were at all
serious about the lip service they pay to stopping sweatshop labor, or if
even one of them were, there would have been at least one factory monitored
since 1997. If Nike truly meant what it said about sweatshop labor, it could
donate 1% of the company's annual advertising budget to the FLA and monitor
at least on factory. Surely the responsibility of factory inspection does
1
not fall solely on Nike, but I cite them as an example. The fact that these
companies, whose combined annual revenues total something in the
multi-billions of dollars, cannot kick in enough to buy four round-trip bus
tickets so inspectors can take a whilwind tour of Mexico, inspecting
factories as they go, does not demonstrate any sort of desire to monitor
their own factories or to stop their own sweatshop abuses? I find that
improbabler. I think than rather than being unable to shoulder that
financial burden, they are unwilling to do it because of their vested
interest in the continuance of sweatshop labor.
Furthermore, because of their reluctance to entertain the proposed
modifications mentioned above, and their reluctance to get the FLA off the
ground (a feat which would require a mere fraction of a percentage point in
the annual revenues of any one of these companies) demonstrates that the FLA
is a corporate sham. It is not designed to be modified. It is not designed
to be improved. It is not even designed to monitor factories. Its whole
purpose is to make everybody feel good: the university feels good because it
thinks by being a member in the FLA, they are maintaining the committment to
human rights that virtually every university president lays out on Martin
Luther King Day. The students feel good because they think they are buying
and wearing sweatshop-free clothing. And the factories feel good because
they are still turning massive profits on the backs of women and girls the
world over.
This email is already lengthy enough, so I will not go into the way continued
involvement in both organizations minimizes the positive impact that could be
gained from the WRC. If, however, you are interested in this, or have
questions about anything contained in this email, please email me or call me
at 341-6564.
Sincerely,
Kristen Gast
Marian Karr
From: Irvin Pfab [ipfab@avalon.net]
Sent: Saturday, April 22, 2000 2:38 PM
To: JCNEWS
Cc: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: A Plea for Participants for Election Campaign Study
This past week I make an appointment to take part
in a presidential election campaign simulation at Schaeffer
Hall in downtown Iowa City. This morning I spent about
two hours doing the experiment. I found it very interesting
but as of yet I don't know what the purpose of it was
but I'll wait and see. As I was ready to leave, Megan Shannon
handed me $25 for my taking the time to participate.
Why am I telling you this? As I visited with Megan she explained
that she was in need of about another 80 people to
complete her experiment. I asked her if I could help her
find those 80 people. She gave several posters to put up and
I'm going to type exactly what is on the posters below. My final
comment is that I was impressed and I think many of may feel
the same way.
Irvin
UI Researcher Invites Participants
for Election Campaign Study
Interested American citizens aged 18
and over and are not currently
undergraduate students are invited to
participate in an election campaign
study being conducted by Professor
David Redlawsk, of the University of
Iowa Department of Political Science.
Participants will spend approximately
2 hours involved in a presidential
election campaign simulation where
they will learn about candidates and
decide which candidate they favor.
Participants' decision making
processes will be recorded and used to
understand the processes voters use
to make choices during a campaign.
Compensation is available.
for more information, please contact Megan Shannon
at 339-1888/megan-shannon@uiowa.edu or Professor
Redlawsk at 335-2352/david-redlawsky@uiowa.edu.
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
Date: April 24, 2000
To: City Council
From: City Manager
Re: Upcoming City Council Issues
Shortly after the November election, I submitted to you a list of upcoming
projects and other related City issues. It has now been almost six months, and
I thought you would like an update. Much progress has been made on many
issues.
Attachment
cc: Department Directors
Upcoming City Council Issues
12 months
(not in priority order)
Selection of developer for Peninsula project plan.
Developer selected. Contract being prepared.
Define a Library project. Referendum date
Project defined. Council to select date in near future.
Phase I Iowa Avenue Streetscape (300 block) - bid, award
Project awarded to All-American Concrete, Inc. for 91,098,758.10.
Phase III Downtown streetscape plan, bid award
Project awarded to All-American Concrete, Inc. for 91 ,383,666.90.
Budget review and adoption
Budget adopted.
Plan, design work, property acquisition for Near Southside Transportation Center
Initial phases now underway.
Newspaper vending machines - City Plaza surrounding areas
Not scheduled.
Geographic information systems (GIS) - analysis of our requirements as an organization
First phase awarded to Plangraphics, Inc. for 960,709.
Recycling Center at landfill - bid, award
Recycling Center Building project awarded to Apex Construction Co. for 9360,000.
Paving and parking lot for the site to be awarded May 2, 2000.
Water treatment plant - bid, award
Project awarded to Knutson Construction Services Midwest, Inc. for 925,875,000.
Liquor licenses - policy discussion on enforcement, regulations, etc.
First discussion held April 17, 2000.
Do you wish to schedule a goal session?
Scheduled for May 25, 2000.
Airport terminal renovation - schedule open house
Project complete. Open house slated for May 11, 2000, 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Airport - North Commercial Area - initiate project plan (plat being reviewed by Planning
and Zoning Commission)
Plat is before Planning and Zoning Commission.
Senior Center - walkway, additional space
Not scheduled.
Contract with County - City administration and enforcement of Building Code in County
Appears County to go it alone.
Plan for City ownership of amusement rides at City Park
Not complete.
Move into new Parks Maintenance Building and begin renovation of old shop area at City
Park
Move in has been complete. Renovation work being planned.
Plan for Skate Park - await Parks/Recreation Commission recommendation
Plan being prepared.
Finalize finance plan for Riverside Festival Stage - did not get $200,000 grant
Under construction. Project awarded to Moore Construction Co. for $372,950.
Re-bid Chauncey Swan Park Fountain
On hold.
South Central District Plan - select alignment of south area arterial street
Approved by Council on March 7, 2000.
North District Plan - consideration and approval
On hold.
Implementation of the Federal Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act
- merge certificate and voucher program - underway.
- Revision of a number of operating policies and programs - underway.
Consider signalization of Kirkwood Avenue
Not scheduled.
Site selection and design of 4th Fire Station
On hold.
Engineering services shop drawings - contract with HR Green Company - Water Plant
Approved.
Engineering services, shop drawings - contract with Stanley Engineering Consultants -
wastewater treatment plant
Approved.
Mormon Trek reconstruction - bid, award
Project awarded to Metro Pavers, Inc. for $2,384,289.40.
11/8/99 (Original)
4/24/00 (Revised)
mgr\ccissues.doc
City of Iowa City
IP7
MEMORANDUM
Date: April 26, 2000
To: City Council
From: City Manager
Re: Broadway Neighborhood
Following the tragic fire in the Broadway area and with the current Police
investigation directed at a likely arson, it has given rise to some concern for the
environmental and social health of this neighborhood. Although much progress
has been made with the involvement of the neighborhood, we need to do more. I
spoke with landlords, neighborhood representatives, and others as to what we
might do to continue to address these concerns. The circumstances surrounding
the fire are suspect and it follows recent economic setbacks such as the loss of
Econofoods, Best Buy, etc. The property owners/managers of these commercial
establishments have pledged to participate with area landlords in addressing
neighborhood concerns.
In order to capitalize on these divergent interests and to assure to the fullest
extent possible that neighborhood decline will not occur, we collectively have set
upon a plan with City involvement in a coordinating capacity to engage the
neighbors in discussion about the future of their neighborhood.
The Southgate Company, both landlord and commercial property owner, has
pledged to participate in an economic study to help return the economic vitality of
the area. Additionally, the City has reviewed its housing assistance procedures so
that those who participate in serious criminal activity and create concern and
despair among the neighbors, will not receive assistance.
The Broadway Neighborhood Center will serve in a leadership position to bring
together all the stakeholders for discussion and hopefully create a renewed
community direction with respect to the neighborhood.
We are in the early stages of this initiative but I wanted you to be aware that the
City's Departments of Planning and Community Development, Housing and
Inspection Services, and Police along with the City Manager's Office were actively
involved in this undertaking. We hope to call attention to and at the same time
allow the neighbors to deal with and through a variety of resources to redirect the
future of their neighborhood. We will keep you advised.
The Department of Planning and Community Development will coordinate work
activities,
cc: Department Directors
CERTIFICA~ OF INSUFFICIENCY
State of Iowa
City of Iowa City, Johnson County
I, Marian K. Karr , city Clerk, do hereby certify
t~t I ~ve ex~m~n~ ~e ~tition s~itt~ by Jean McC0llister
on April 5, ,-}92000 , which re~ires
2,500 valid signatures
and I find that it is ins~ficient for the foll~g reasons: Lack 0f
required valid signatures (1,748 certified valid)
If the petition is certifi~ insufficient for lack of the re~ir~ nter
of valid sig~tures, one orate of the petitioners my file a ~tice of intention
to Mend their petition wi~n tw (2) days after receiving a copy of ~is
certificate. Petitioner my file a supplement:y petition u~n additional papas
within fifteen (15) ~ys after receivi~ a copy of ~s certificate. The
petition my only be ~ended once for lack of the re~ir~ n~er of valid
sigMtures.
Supplemen~ry petitioM s~ll c~ply with the re~ireMnts of S~sections
B & C of Section 7.03, Ho~ ~e Ch:ter of the City of Iowa City, and within
five days after it is fil~, the City Clerk s~ll co~lete a ce~ificate as
to the sufficiency of the petition as amendS.
Witness W ~nd this 26th day of April ,~2000
Subscribed in my presence and sworn to before n~ by Maria. K. Karr
day of \ , M ·
~vv l~Ublic in and for Johnson County, Iowa
DATE: April 26, 2000
TO: City Manager
FROM: Steve Nasby, Community Development Coordinator
RE: Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership Program
Assistance to For-profit Organizations
Recently there have been some issues raised that relate to for-profit organizations and the use of Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) funds. As per our
discussion, I wanted to provide you some specific examples.
Both CDBG and HOME regulations allow for assistance to for-profit organizations. In the past we have used
grants and a variety of loan instruments (amortized loans, variable payment loans, balloon loans, depreciating
balance loans, and conditional occupancy loans). The form of public assistance is typically a function of the
project being proposed. Depending upon the project's financial projections and other factors such as debt
coverage ratios, reserves, development fees and management fees the Housing and Community Development
Commission (HCDC) makes a recommendation for a loan or a grant. Once funding is approved it is left up to
staff to negotiate the specific terms.
Generally, CDBG and/or HOME monies take the place of private financing. The benefit of these public funds is
that the interest rates are significantly lower or in some cases the principal is forgiven. These benefits are then
passed along to the prospective tenants in the form of improved housing conditions or lower rents that are
controlled by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
CDBG and HOME funds awarded to for-profit organizations have mainly been used for the construction and
rehabilitation of affordable housing units. Examples of newly constructed housing include Villa Gardens,
Saratoga Springs, Regency Heights and Walden Hills. Other projects, involving rental rehabilitation include the
former Mondo's building, the Citizen Building and numerous other smaller (2-4 unit) projects that are owned by
local landlords.
To a much less extent we have also used CDBG funds to assist for-profits with job creation. A similar State
program would be Community Economic Betterment Account (CEBA). The two examples I am aware of where
we used CDBG monies are Heartland Candleworks and Toms Optics, Inc. In both cases we loaned these
businesses funds to purchase machinery. In return for our assistance they are to create and maintain jobs that
would be available to lower income persons.
In all of these examples the City of Iowa City invested public funds in for-profit enterprises. The question is
whether or not the owners of these properties are making a profit on our CDBG and/or HOME investment and if
that profit is reasonable. Since for-profit organizations are in business to make money all of the for-profit projects
we have been presented are income generating to various degrees. The investors in these projects expect a return
on their investment. This return is based on many market factors such as risk and the future value of money. At
the time of our public investment in these projects we try to account for these economic factors and the benefit of
the project for the community, while balancing that with an investor's expectation of profit.
If the City Council wants to address this issue there are a number of ways it can be discussed ranging from a
formal policy decision (i.e. directing CDBG and HOME monies to non-profits) to establishing specific CDBG
and/or HOME agreement guidelines when funds are awarded to for-profit organizations. Should you want
additional information please call me at x5248 or e-mail.
emergency housing project. inc.]~'~' '
~owa c,~. ;own 52244 314~
tel * 319/351~g26
Dear Friends of EHP:
.'
fax · 310/351-2137
ehp~l com This ye~, the Emergency Housing Project (EHP) celebrates' 1. 7 ye~S of se~ice to this
Founded. Directed and SupSned CO~Hi~. W~ ~e Joker Co~s oBly geneal Use homeless shelter--providing
by L~al ReligiOus Communities -
emergency shelter ~d suppo~ive se~ices to men, women, ~d chilean under one
roof--365 nights of the ye~. Founded in 1983 by a consodium of local fai~
- communities, we continue today with their supp0~ ~d under their direction. We mn
at capaci~ most eve~ night of the ye~--forced to mm away hun~eds in 1999 due to
lack of shelter space. EHP prodded in excess of ] O, OOO ,zght of ihelter last year
alone.
Recently, I came across a quotation by Jimmy Cgrter that struck me as being at the-
very heart bfEHP's mission and work. He said, "I have one life and one chance to
make i.t count for something...I am.free to choose what that something is, and the
something I've chosen is my faith. Now, my faith goe. s I~eyond th. eology and religion
and requires considerable work and effort. My faith demands__this is not optional--
my faith demands that I do, whatever I can, whenever I can, for as long as I can with
whatever I have to try to make a difference." This is what we strive to do at EHP
everyday--to make a difference in the lives of the homeless and our community.
We may never end homelesshess, but our work here has tguched the lives of thousands
of men, women, and children---offering them 'hope and the opportunity to reach a new
pgtential. In Our celebration of service, we are reminded that we have not done this
alone. We are reminded of the thousands of men, women and ahildren in this
community Who support us through gifts of time.treasure and talent.' It is only because
of you that we are able to. continue to serve, and we thank you.
Please join us in our .celebration of service. There will be an Open House held on
Sunday, April 30th, from 2 tO 4 p.m. at EHP.. S, taff, board members, and r~sidents will
be available for tours of the house and to,ans,wer any' questions you may have
regarding the Emerienc3/Housing Project. Our 'work is good and the need is great.
Help us to continue to make a difference in the lives our community's homeless by
returning the enclosed card and envelope with your tax-deductible contribution.
.Plda, se know that your gift directly s"upports and makes possible our mission of
rebuilding lives one by one.
Sincerely,
Crissy Can nelli
ExeCutive Director, EHP ,
Providing Shelter and Supporh've Services for Southeast lowo's Homeless since 1983
~ p Department of Public Health
~ ~ ~ ~ Board of Health
ADdU 8, 2000
apR~ Kelley J. Donham, DVM, MS
~ 4 ~ ~ ~ v~ 3o~y~
Dan and Karmella Glasgow David L. Nordstrom, PhD, MPH
C/O Dan's Sho Stop Clff MANAGERS OFFICE
2221 Rochester Ave.
Iowa City, IA 52245
Dear Mr. and Ms. Glasgow:
There is little wonder why 37% of Iowa's high school students smoke when the tobacco
industry spends $55 million for advertising in Iowa each year. Point of sale tobacco
advertising is one of the areas that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wanted to
address in their attempt to regulate tobacco as a drug. The U.S. Supreme Court recently
decided that the FDA does not have the authority to regulate tobacco.
I know that you are one of the many parents in Iowa City concerned about the use of tobacco
products by young people in our community. However, it is my understanding that you have
not only taken action with your words, but with deeds as well. You have taken a significant
step in your convenience store to prevent the tobacco industry from advertising to youth by
removing the overhead and counter tobacco displays and other tobacco advertisements from
your store. Your actions are especially significant because of the proximity of your store to
Regina Elementary and High School, Hoover and Lemme Elementary Schools and the Iowa
City High School.
It is encouraging to see community businesses put the health of our children above profit.
We applaud your efforts to curb the use of tobacco products by our youth and encourage all
convenience stores in Johnson County to follow your lead.
Sincerely, _,
,/ .
L. Graham Dameron, MPH
Director
Copy: Members, Board of Health
Members, Board of Supervisors
Members, City Council of Iowa City
Members, City Council of Coralville
Members, Johnson County Tobacco Free Coalition
h\41 O\letter\glasgow\0400 (~
1105 GILBERT COURT · IOWA CITY, IOx,VA 52240 · PHONE (3 19) 356-6040 · FAX (319) 356-6044 recycled paper
MINUTES
East Central Xowa Council of Governments
l~oard Meeting
March 30, 2000 - ECICOG Office
108 Third Street SE, Suite 300, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
MEMBERS PRESENT
Ann Hearn-Linn County Citizen
Lu Barron-Linn County Supervisor
Henry Herwig-Coralville City Council
Carol Casey-Johnson County Citizen
Don Magdefrau-Benton County Citizen
Gary Edwards-Iowa County Citizen
Dennis Hansen-Jones County Citizen
Larry Kemp-Vinton City Council
Dell Hanson-Benton County Supervisor
Ed Raber-Washington County Citizen
Bob Stout-Washington County Supervisor
David Cavey-Mayor of Olin
MEMBERS ABSENT
Tom Tjelmeland-Mayor of Ely
Dee Vanderhoef-Iowa City City Council
Leo Cook-Jones County Supervisor
Edward Brown-Mayor of Washington
Jim Houser-Linn County Supervisor
Charles Montross~lowa County Supervisor
Dale Todd-Cedar Rapids Commissioner
Rod Straub-Iowa County Supervisor
Sally Slutsman-Johnson County Supervisor
ALTERNATES PRESENT
John Tibben-Iowa County
Lumir Dostal-Linn County
OTHER'S PRESENT- None
STAFF PRESENT
Doug Elliott-Executive Director
Gina Peters-Administrative Assistant
Chris Kivett-Berry-Housing Planner
Mary Rump-Transportation Planner
Chad Sands-Planner
Jennifer Ryan-Planner
Robyn Jacobson-Planner
Dave Correia-Planner
Jim Nehring-Joint-Purchasing Coordinator
1.0 CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Secretary/Treasurer, Dennis Hansen.
.1 Recognition of Alternates
John Tibben for Charles Montross
Lumir Dostal for Jim Houser
.2 Public Discussion - None
2.0 ROUTINE MATTERS
.1 Approval of Minutes (February 24, 2000)
M/S/C (Stout/Herwig) to approve the minutes as written. All ayes.
.2 Preceding Month's Budget Reports/Balance Sheets
Raber joined the meeting at this time.
Elliott gave an overview of the February financial statements.
M/S/C (Barcon/Hearn) to receive and file the February financial statements for audit. All ayes.
1:00 p.m. Public Hearing- East Central Iowa Consolidated Transit Application
Hansen opened the public hearing at 1:00 p.m. for the FY2001 Consolidated Transit Application. No written
comments were received and no members of the public were present.
Jacobson told the board that the total amount of the Consolidated Transit Application is $1,821,507. The
portion of federal operating is $140,435, state operating is $485,985, planning is $13,862, and capital purchase
is $1,181,225.
M/S (DostaFHerwig) to close the public hearing at 1:03 p.m.
M/S/C (Raber/Magdefrau) to allow the chair to sign the FY2001 Consolidated Transit Application. All ayes.
Tibben lej~ the meeting at this time.
3.0 AGENCY REPORTS
.1 Chairperson's Report - None
.2 Board Members' Reports - None
.3 Director's Report
Elliott introduced Jim Nehring as the Joint-Purchasing Coordinator. He also told board members that the
executive committee will be meeting soon to continue with the strategic planning process. Elliott mentioned
that the IDOT will be holding a series of public input meetings around the state beginning in April. If anyone
is interested he has the list of dates and times.
.4 Community Development Report
Correia told the board that a grant application to be submitted to IDED for the Rural Community Planning and
Development Fund for about $20,000 is complete. An in-kind match of 25% is provided. The funds will be
used to organize a conference on planning livable communities and to compile a list of all of the land use plans
'in the region. The grant will be mailed today if approved.
MIS/C (Herwig/Raber) to allow the chair to sign and to approve the community development department to
submit an application to IDED for the Rural Community Planning Fund to create a planning document and to
hold a subsequent conference with an estimated budget of $20,000. IDED will provide $13,000 and $7,000
will be local match. All ayes.
.5 Housing Report
Kivett-Berry told the board that three of eight applications submitted to IDED for housing rehabilitation were
funded. The City of Crawfordsville, the City of Fairfax, and the City of North English all received funding for
housing rehabilitation. There were 121 applications submitted to IDED and 45 applications were awarded
grant money.
Kivett-Berry told the board that a R/CPDF application was submitted on behalf of Washington HACAP.
The deadline for submittal was earlier in the month. Elliott noted that the application had to be submitted prior
to board approval and if the application was not approved it would be withdrawn.
M/S/C (Casey/Stout) to authorize the previous submittal of the R/CPDF application on behalf of Washington
HACAP. All ayes.
Elliott handed out a sheet on the Homeowner Assistance Program (attached) Approval of the RHED grant to
be submitted on behalf of the Johnson County Housing Task Force is needed.
M/S/C (Casey/Hanson) to approve the submittal of an application for RHED on behalf of the Johnson County
Housing Task Force. All ayes.
.6 Transportation Report
Rump told the board that the quarterly extension for Washington County Mini Bus will expire on March 31.
Rump referred board members to the surnrnary of progress made by Mini Bus listed on page 13 of the board
packet. Rump recommended that the board approve the 4th quarter extension but to hold any state or federal
assistance from Mini Bus that is passed-thin ECICOG until the 3~a quarter provisions are met.
M/S/C (Hanson/Raber) to approve the 4m quarter extension with Washington County Mini Bus and to
withhold any state or federal assistance that is passed-thru ECICOG until the 3ra quarter provisions are met.
All ayes.
Edwards asked if any problems were anticipated by Mini Bus. No problems are anticipated but all of the
provisions of the 3ra quarter extension need to be met.
Rump reminded transportation policy committee members that a meeting will follow the board meeting.
.7 Solid Waste Report
Ryan told board members that a two-week extension was granted by the IDNR for completion of the
Comprehensive Plan. Drafts will be distributed to board members when complete.
The state legislation regarding transfer stations discussed at the last board meeting did not make it out of
committee and will probably not be attached to another piece of legislation.
The board was asked to approve the FY2000 amended budget for the Waste Tire Management Program (listed
on page 16 of the board packet) and to approve the Waste Tire Products Grant Program (attached).
IVl/S/C (Barron/Herwig) to approve the revised budget for the FY2000 Waste Tire Management Program. All
ayes.
M/S/C (Edwards/Casey) to approve the Waste Tire Products Grant Program. All ayes.
4.0 COMMITTEE REPORTS
.1 Executive Committee - None
.2 Budget Committee - None
.3 Personnel Committee- None
.4 Transit Operator's Group - None
.5 Solid Waste Technical Advisory Committee - None
.6 Ad Hoc Committee Reports - None
5.0 IOWA INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW SYSTEM
M/S/C (Hansen/Hearn) to approve all Intergovernmental Reviews with favorable review. All ayes.
6.0 OLD BUSINESS
.1 Approval of Expenditures
MIS/C (Cavey/Casey) to approve payment of expenditures. All ayes.
Edwards asked for a monthly review of the progress of GIS purchases.
7.0 NEW BUSINESS - None
8.0 NEXT MEETING: April 27, 2000
Linn County Administrative Office Building
Dennis Hansen, Secretary/Treasurer
April 27, 2000
ECICOG
I ' COmmunity .Development Report.
Date: April 27, 2000
From: Chad Sands, Planner
David C. Correia, Planner
Community Development Block Grants and other Grant Programs
Proiects recently applied for.'
none
Projects recently awarded.'
The five applications for area fire departments were funded for a total of $9,466 to be used to install
dry hydrants within the respective fire department' s districts. Funding was through the Iowa
Department of Economic Development under the Dry Hydrant Grant Program. $947 of the above total
can be used for project administration.
Projects in pre-construction phase:
Crawfordsville (CDBG): The wastewater treatment project is awaiting the bid opening for
construction. Construction should begin this summer.
Vinton (CDBG): The city has received release of funds from the Iowa Department of Economic
Development. The day care has purchased land for the project.
Projects in construction phase:
Lone Tree (CDBG): The contract has been awarded to Bockenstedt Excavating for the work on this
wastewater treatment project. Construction has begun and should be completed this summer. The
monitoring visit with IDED has been sucessfully completed.
Iowa County (EDSA): The project consists of purchasing machinery and hiring 25 new employees to
expand operations of Samson Enterprise, Inc. of rural Iowa County. The company specializes in the
manufacturing of bucket wheel trenchers for trenching/drainage contractors. Samson Enterprise is
preparing the third request for funds on the project.
Washington (EDSA): The project consists of purchasing new equipment and hiring 20 new employees
for Fansteel Washington Manufacturing, Inc. of the City of Washington. The company produces wire
forms and specialty fasteners for farm equipment and other industrial uses.
Projects with construction completed or substantially completed.'
Ladora (CDBG): Construction is nearing completion on this wastewater treatment plant improvement
project. The monitoring visit with IDED was successfully held. The final request for reimbursement
will occur this spring.
' ' ' ........... v ............. Workss~d~resoldt~emtllrou~sLteJm-
~ ~ ~t~s ~at M~I~ hu ~r
~mplete a~
.... ~ ~ ~d~atMul~h~dl~me~rkslth~
never ac~t~ for,
~flc~ at M~I~
~d
~ Pond, uout
ho~- ~ wa~, ~ ~t~ ~ ~mb~
g~ge ~d
mu~l~ ~t
~.~.~ fa~d~e~e ru~g~pa~at~m~a~
~ ~P~h~. m~,
~ ~ ~
- '. ' .. '..,, '. ,::,,... ~:'.v~ ~,~'~: ":.'
In Portland, Houses Are Friendly. Or Else.
d~ a ~mal ~lf-~p~ement b~e. to e~or~ ~me d~s, ~e Po~lnd CIW ~cll ~,
By ~ E6~ Newly ~ ~ ~o, m ~at ~m~ a radlc~ st~ eff~ to ~flaw ~e "sn~t ~" -- ~m~ly.
~st spraw~ ~e PoUnd met~lttn ~a d~ a ~e In ~ ~er~uir~ city of Just ~der h~ a ml]ll~
. PORT~, 0~. -- ~ ha~ ~ ~ enemy c~ over ~1~ ~e clW ~ld not spill. ~e clW rlp~ up a ~le, ~e tern "sn~t h~" h~ s~ce ~n sh~
~m ~ ~ e~-to~ n~ of ~ls ciW--~e f~way ne~ &~m~ nd ~plac~ It ~ a grn~., off~slve to ~ple who Hve m sn~t ~. But ~e
~ ~!~ from ~e ~rbn ne~erlnd. Ho~s nveff~t park: ~t~s ~ bt~cls ~ly, ple~l offend~g stmcm~ h~ ~n clearly def~ m ~e clW
~ ~ ~lr bncB ~ ~e S~L H~ ~at embrace a ~ tra~ we~ I~d for n l~t-r~ ~tem, M~ ~1~ ~e: ~e g~age c~ot &m~ate ~e front of ~e ~ or
~ ~r of monster~ s~ u~H~ vehlcls nd II~e lem PoUnd clam a ~e.a~ mor~ ~ g~d ~ t~ pmt~; ~e ma~ ~tr~ hs to ~ e!~ ~ ~e st~
e~. R~s. ~at gl~ ~ i~a ~e~ ~e front ~r ml~t ~m~ ~rcles, ~n If It hn not made traffic m ~e ~ cle~ly ld~flable from ~e slds~; nd ~e sl& of
~. f~ways m~ mo~ ~y. ~ ~ ~at fac~ ~e ~ m~t have a ce~ m~-
S~t ~s, ~ c~l ~e~ all g~e ~d m~cl~ Llter~ qu~a~s ~ em~ ~ ~e s~ ~ mum of ~ ~d ~r ~a~.
f~tf~.~dfor~el~e~tm~s, Po~l~dh~ to~,~e~e~epmt~ofM~tH~ "Bulc~!y, wew~ta'h~pm~'t~ortreat
m~ ~ s~t h~ illeg~, go~ ~ a f~tler 0f d~ WiHme~e River ~d entl~ bl~ks of h~torlc ne~r- test,' "Mr. H~ ~ "~ wh~ ~ds ~me ~d m t~ck
~te~no~er big Ame~c~cl~h~gone~fo~. h~s, ~d it pm~bl~ bl~ walls or "~t~g" ~- ort~a~eYac~iYgeta~nse~at~me~llves~e
"Y~ ~ s~ b~d n ~ly ~ ~ Po~l~d," said tr~ at ~e g~d fi~r ~ ~ld~s. All of ~ has h~, nd ~ey cu find ~e dmr. Im~e ~at."
~He H~, ~ clW ~mmlssl~er w~ 1~ ~ effort m all~ urb~ pl~en f~m ~s pla~, ~ u ~e R~ ~me home bullde~ are ln~a~ by ~s k~d of t~.
~ ~ ~at ~ not fit ~m ~ls clW's nei~rh~ CI~, to d~e out ~d ~e ~t~, e~oll~g "~e Po~d St~c~r~ shear r~ul~men~ ~d ~lvers~ el~t~c~
f~c "But n~ ~ j~t have m ~ at It a lot hater," Sto~," s~dards are ~e ~. But ~ a~t a h~e ~at h~
~r ~ ~, Ponl~d h~ ~ l~e Ma~a Stewart ~d n~ comes ~e ne~ front ~ ~ clty's war ~st to m~e "mo~ ~tt~ to ~e public re~m," ~ ~e ci~
at ~e k~ ~ of Ame~cn cities. ~ile ~er cites ~e natl~'s urbn i~ -- ~e big~hest~ de~ch~ ~ pl~en ha~ done, is no~er ~g. pm "~ ~ m m ~.- i~
(Po~nden mention H~st~ wi~ pafficular horror) wi~ tw~ g~e. ~t ~ptem~r, ~t ~e pmtes~ "~is is ~ly ~ld stuff," said Kelly Ro~, ~e go~m- '~e C~ ~," a 192 l
ha~ p~y r5~t~ ~en elemental ~n~g, Ponl~d has of buffden who s~d that ~e city government had no ~t Continued on Page BI3 Sch~n, whoR ~ ~ now
In Portland, Ore., Houses Are Friendly. Or Else.
.,',; ·IFFERENTIATE 70 percent of new l~omes built werehood character that aiready exists in
~..Continued From Page Bl ':' :~,=::i: : ~;: snout houses. These houses werePortland," he said, "I mean, who IS
~ : The old four- deemed unfriendly, in some casesreally practicing social engineering
merit affairs director of the Home- ' unsafe. because they turned eyeshere? The people who design corn-
- square house at
bialfders Assoclatinn af Metropolitan:-~ ..... away lrom the street, and a generalinanities where you can't do any-
Portland. His group sponsors "Street the left offers itselfafttaint to portland's civic ethlc.thing hot drive? Or the people who
of Dreams," a show whore builders Though nobody in the city govern-give you a choice af getting away
show off their meet pnoumatlc up to pedestrians;mant ever came right out and saidfrom your car?"
homes. "Last year, virtually every i i ~ so. the intent af the new rngulatlonsThe city has managed to s41are
house featured would have been llle- ~." the new garage was also to keep a certain lookaway a eertojn kind ol home hoilder.
gai under the new design code." he ' wlthattached (read: ugly and suburban) fromMr. FiskaPortlandnative, whohas
said. comlngtoportiancLAsonearchltoct,built more than 500 houses in the
But that disparity could have more house on right Marrlua Peck Andrews, said in a pub-city, now sports a bumper sucker on
to do with the 8~.11 between home lin hearing last year, the city "heshis car with the slagan: "Frinnds
builders and Portland's city plan- tempts only cars.suffered through. some prettydon't let lrlouds build in Portland."
hers. Nationwide, a backlash has schlocky and insensitive residentialHe said he Is considering movin~
been under way tor some time design in the last30 years."to LaD Vegss, Amesica's fastest
alainst certain suburban house de- But o~ perslla's sdllocky anil in-growing city. "They have almost an
~llns. Attempts to reign in "McMan- sensitive Is shother person's castle.restrictleas down there," he said,
sious" anil mar. stor-hox homes have And who Is to say that the retrowith uncantained glee.
resulted In height and size restric- design the code encourages will not
tlons in paris of Cauforoia and Colo- leok schlo~/rod out of place In 30
fade, amon~ other staIns, y~are. "You wonder how different
nelghborhaeds would Ioo1~ If dosign
The darling of so-called New Ur-,~I"I;::.C :v c · I · I R s startdebts bald helm hi place in the
banlEt house stylee is a retro dwell-
Ing with porch and hidden garage, This new house 50'slnde0'e,wl~nrm~h-styinarchl-
toctllre lna the int~ailing style,"
bay windows and gabled roofs, not does not vlohin
unlike the average hottEe that the NIt. Ro~s said-
Disney ourporaUoa brought forth Portland's zoning The city coilsidereal going even
from tocus groups and produced In { I ~ turfher, re~mlatin~ the pitch of roofs ,
] ~ · · restrictions and the st~le af sidings. But after
' some council member warned about
· ' ~' because the garage getting into uncharted waters, the
city eemed ell regulations that speci- '~'~[~" :. ,i ~...
Does 'this house ~ i ., .~ .ot ao.~In ,~ a e~.~e ~an he .o wid.. than 50
pass the trick-or- "-~ j~ ! · !, ~h~.~,,~de~ ~ent~aho.--f..~endthaia .'
/~ freot door must be within eight feet .....
treat test? ~ house. of the frlmt wall. The regulations
~ ~' nies and livin~ space above a garage.
i -, ~"---~.,,. !"gX,~ ....,_,~ ~' :~: '-. 7---~7 -There's antbin8 wrollg with that
'dlinbratlea, its model inwn in Finr-'('~~! · ;.,.Z~?~.-::..: house,"saldDr. MarkBeilo, aPort-
. 'ldl Northwest Landing~ a New Ur !i pre-Worid War II Craftsman-style
'~a~lnist community 40 miles south of'~ house without garage. "As a pedes-
.l.~__attle, Is also a pedestrian-friendly
trhm, you feel comfurtable with that.
)5~lmeIn y . trylnS to turn bact the clock, toa. lebbyig for the home bulldert Now, enAmericancitizea, ihavetherl~ht Hepcintedto. aneiSh tinShouse,
co I time when Morn stayed home, andus the persml leadin8 the charSe thatto build whatever I want to sell toremodeled In outturban snout mode~
~t~entiai neighborhoods in the 1990's,city of Penland should recognize thehome plans, he has become a pariahThe design restrictions mean that"It turns its back In the street. It'D
.h~a'veinagreguatedhousecoinr, en-reality of our culture," Mr. ROSSanlenl.hisfurmeremployers-'the averaSe new home wili cost, Mr.nol necessarily ugly, but it has no
· c[itvoway basketball hoop, amongholds in two vehicles, and the vehl-leadini builder. "Thero's no otherbulfd. nZlle city, cRinl a study doneall sixrot the car."
.~:he~..~,.F~ 'l'.s::.~'~ili rlovNa. l~leclee are getting tsrger. ltmskee noway th put it And lhe city of Porl-beforelsstyeafs vote,says the costBecause most available residen-
' ,., .q ', :,.., :,. ',,,. "...' , !the design regulations us a seriouspiot~re of a new pink houSe, a flaringland, even Mr. Fish will no lelagerAnd city afflciais de not deny that
'c~mpany Indsthatnearly35percentby the amrts, which have contmuedsquare-foot house, complete witha hidden garage, bowtllhidelt. Youthe dewaward spiral af urban neigh-
911ts home plans do not meet the newto give municipalities the right topuffed-up garage and obscured en-want bay window$, bada bing.herheeds becomin8 unsuccessful
~luiretoants. "Nobely wants to'zone and regulate, even Ior esthetics,trance, whichis labeled atopthe ar-The new desLgn restrictfen ro~esuburbinneighbortmods."
buildinu~lyhouse. But we don't lLkewithIn their borders.chitecfurld drawln~ "Snout house."from neighbod~ood complaints aboutMr. Hales denies that the city is
~ city try~ to shove these baseThe butiders are particularly an-It eeils for about :~140,0e0,suburban-style houses Lnvading thetryin8 to inStstste taste. "We're try-
~letsigns down our throats."i~ry at the citlr commissioner, Mr."Ihaveac]assofpeoplewhowantcity. A clty survey found that nearlyi·~Inroinforco theireat neighbur-
-.
The University of iowa
Department of Geography
2000 Ida Beam Distinguished Lecture Series
Helen Couclelis, Professor
Department of Geography
University of California, Santa Barbara
Expertise in urban growth planrang and modeling.
"Sustainable accessibility in the information age:
Can we avoid a new 'tragedy of the commons'?"
Thursday, May 4, 2000
7:00- 8:30 PM
Room 40 Schaeffer Hall
Adm/ss/on /s free and open to the pubi/c.
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa sponsored events. If you are a person
with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact the
Department of Geography in advance at 335-0151 or send e-mail to Susan Kay Sokol at susan-sokol@uiowa.edu.
Taxation of Mobile Homes
Background: Chapter 435 of the Iowa Code governs the tax on homes in mobile home parks.
Although mobile home is antiquated term, for our purposes we will be referring to homes whether
mobile, manufactured, or modular which are located within parks. Because the owner of a home
within a park does not own the land, the home is considered personal property and taxed on a
square footage basis. Homes located outside of parks are assessed as real property and therefore
subject to the current levy rate.
After the square footage of a home within a park has been determined, it is multiplied by 10
cents. The process is completed semi-annually, which results in a total of 20 cents per square
foot per year. This rate has not increased since 1970. By adjusting only for inflationmy
increases, we can estimate revenue loss, for cities:
Using the consumer price index (CPI) we can assume that 20 cents in ,1.9.,20-was worth its value at
that time. If we take in~ationary increases into account. that 20. cents today is worth 35.2 c~nts.
The average square footage rate for a doublewide home is approximately 1550 square feet. From
this information we can assess the revenue loss from inflation alone.
Average size of home: 1550, sq. ft.
Rate (with inflation): X 35.2-cents
$545.60
Average size of home: 1550 sq. ft.
Rate: X 20-cents
Property tax bill: - $310.00
Revenue loss: $235.60
The problem is compounded because the homes within a park are allowed a lower rate for
depreciation. ~After five years the home, As_on ly Xaxed-at-90%_o~uar. e_f~oh~ge yal ue. After
te, xLy. ear~ i~0ps. m~._8.~.%.and continues for the life of the home.
Average size home: 1550 sq. ft.
Property tax bill ( 20-cent rate): $310.00
Bill after five years: $279.00
Bill after ten years: $248.00
In 1970 an aluminum-sided trailer could be purchased for about $3,000. Today, a manufactured
home cannot be purchased for less than $35,000. Doublewide homes can cost as much as
$80,000 depending on amenities such as skylights and fireplaces. The homes built today are
made of the same materials as site built homes. _
League Recommendation: Residential and commercial customers paying taxes on the assessed
real value of their property are subsidizing the residents of these parks who have not been subject
to even an inflationmy increase in almost 30 years. _All classes of taxpayers receive the same
access to services such as fire and police protection_
The manufacturers of these homes promote that their homes are as quality as any other home on
the market. For years, the lobby for the Manufactured Housing Association has been adamant
that these residents should not be treated differently than any other class of property owners.
The recommendation of the League staff is to increase the square footage tax on homes located
within parks. Such an increase will support equity among all classes of property taxpayers.
Because the square footage rate has not been increased in nearly 30 years, it may be necessary to
take a phase-in approach to lessen the immediate impact of the change in rates.
Potential Pitfalls: This will be a difficult sell to legislators because it w. ill be oerceived as a tax
increase, rather than a tax equity issue. Residents in these parks include elderly and low-income
individuals on fixed incomes. There will most likely be strong opposition from the AARP, low-
income, and housing organizations.
CHAPTER 435
TAX ON HOMES IN MOBILE HOME PARKS
[Fiw~',i'c!'I'c:d 0'o1~ ,,:1'i[1~'~1.~1' ! 3~1 ) ill Codc 1903
435.1 Definitions.
435.2 through 435.17 Reserved.
435.18 Penalty.
435.19 through 435.21 Reserved.
435.22 Annual tax--credit.
435.23 Exemptions--prorating tax.
435.24 Collection of tax.
435.25 Apportionment and collection of taxes.
435.26 Conversion to real property.
435.27 Reconversion.
435.28 County treasurer to notify assessor.
435.29 Civil penalty.
435.30 through 435.32 Reserved.
435.33 Rent reimbursement.
435.34 Modular home exemption. Repealed by 94 Acts, ch 1110, §24, 25.
435.35 Existing home outside &mobile home park--exemption.
435.1 Definitions.
The following definitions shall apply to this chapter:
1. "Home" means a mobile home, a manufactured home, or a modular home.
2. "Manufactured home" is a factory-built structure built under authority of 42 U.S.C. § 5403,
is required by federal law to display a seal from the United States department of housing and
urban development, and was constructed on or after June 15, 1976. If a manufactured home is
placed in a mobile home park, the home must be titled and is subject to the mobile home square
foot tax. If a manufactured home is placed outside a mobile home park, the home must be titled
?
and is to be assessed and taxed as real estate.
3. "Mobile home" means any vehicle without motive power used or so manufactured or
constructed as to permit its being used as a conveyance upon the public streets and highways and
so designed, constructed, or reconstructed as will permit the vehicle to be used as a place for
human habitation by one or more persons; but shall also include any such vehicle with motive
power not registered as a motor vehicle in Iowa. A "mobile home" is not built to a mandatory
building code, contains no state or federal seals, and was built before June 15, 1976. Ira mobile
home is placed outside a mobile home park, the home is to be assessed and taxed as real estate.
4. "Mobile home park" means a site, lot, field, or tract of land upon which three or more
mobile homes, manufactured homes, or modular homes, or a combination of any of these homes
are placed on developed spaces and operated as a for-profit enterprise with water, sewer or
septic, and electrical services available.
The term "mobile home park" shall not be construed to include mobile homes, buildings, tents
or other structures temporarily maintained by any individual, educational institution, or company
on their own premises and used exclusively to house their own labor or students. ~
A mobile home park must be classified as to whether it is a residential mobile home park or a
recreational mobile home park or both. The mobile home park residential landlord tenant Act*
1997 Merged Iowa Code and Supplement I
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only applies to residential mobile home parks.
5. "Modular home" means a factory-built structure which is manufactured to be used as a place
of human habitation, is constructed to comply with the Iowa state building code for modular
factory-built structures, and must display the seal issued by the state building code
commissioner. If a modular home is placed in a mobile home park, the home is subject to the
annual tax as required by section 435.22. If a modular home is placed outside a mobile home
park, the home shall be considered real property and is to be assessed and taxed as real estate.
[C54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, § 135D.1]
86 Acts, ch 1245, § 1114
C93, § 435.1
94 Acts, ch 1110, §3---6; 95 Acts, ch 57, §10; 97 Acts, ch 121, §15, 16
435.2 through 435.17 Reserved.
435.18 Penalty.
Any person violating any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a simple misdemeanor.
[C54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, § 135D. 18]
C93, § 435.1 g
435.19 through 435.21 Reserved.
435.22 Annual tax---credit.
The owner of each mobile home, manufactured home, or modular home, located within a
mobile home park shall pay to the county treasurer an annual tax. However, when the owner is
any educational institution and the home is used solely for student housing or when the owner is
the state of Iowa or a subdivision of the state, the owner shall be exempt from the tax. The
annual tax shall be computed as follows:
1. Multiply the number of square feet of floor space each home contains when parked and in
use by twenty cents. In computing floor space, the exterior measurements of the home shall be
used as shown on the certificate of title, but not including any area occupied by a hitching device.
2. If the owner of the home is an Iowa resident, has attained the age of twenty-three years on
or before December 31 of the base year, and has an income when included with that of a spouse
which is less than six thousand dollars per year, the annual tax shall not be imposed on the home.
If the income is six thousand dollars or more but less than fourteen thousand dollars, the annual
tax shall be computed as follows:
If the Household Annual Tax Per
Income is: Square Foot:
$ 6,000-- 6,999.99 3.0 cents
7,000-- 7,999.99 6.0
8,000-- 9,999.99 10.0
10,000--11,999.99 13.0
12,000--13,999.99 15.0
For purposes of this subsection "income" means income as defined in section 425.17,
subsection 7, and "base year" means the calendar year preceding the year in which the claim for
a reduced rate of tax is filed. The home reduced rate of tax shall only be allowed on the home in
which the claimant is residing at the time in which the claim for a reduced rate of tax is filed.
1997 Merged Iowa Code and Supplement 2
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3. The amount thus computed shall be the annual tax for all homes, except as follows:
a. For the sixth through ninth years after the year of manufacture the annual tax is ninety
percent of the tax computed according to subsection 1 or 2 of this section, whichever is
applicable.
b. For all homes ten or more years after the year of manufacture the annual tax is eighty
percent of the tax computed according to subsection 1 or 2 of this section, whichever is
applicable.
4. The tax shall be figured to the nearest even whole dollar.
5. A claim for credit for mobile home tax due shall not be paid or allowed unless the claim is
actually filed with the county treasurer between January 1 and June 1, both dates inclusive,
immediately preceding the fiscal year during which the home taxes are due and, with the
exception of a claim filed on behalf of a deceased claimant by the claimant's legal guardian,
spouse, or attorney, or by the executor or administrator of the claimant's estate, contains an
affidavit of the claimant's intent to occupy the home for six months or more during the fiscal year
beginning in the calendar year in which the claim is filed. However, in case of sickness, absence,
or other disability of the claimant, or if in the judgment of the county treasurer good cause exists,
the county treasurer may extend the time for filing a claim for credit through September 30 of the
same calendar year. The county treasurer shall certify to the director of revenue and finance on
or before November 15 each year the total dollar amount due for claims allowed.
The forms for filing the claim shall be provided by the department of revenue and finance. The
forms shall require information as determined by the department.
In case of sickness, absence, or other disability of the claimant or if, in the judgment of the
director of revenue and finance, good cause exists and the claimant requests an extension, the
director may extend the time for filing a claim for credit or reimbursement. However, any
further time granted shall not extend beyond December 31 of the year in which the claim was
required to be filed. Claims filed as a result of this paragraph shall be filed with the director who
shall provide for the reimbursement of the claim to the claimant.
The director of revenue and finance shall certify the amount due to each county, which amount
shall be the dollar amount which will not be collected due to the granting of the reduced tax rate
under subsection 2.
The amounts due each county shall be paid by the department of revenue and finance on
December 15 of each year, drawn upon warrants payable to the respective county treasurers. The
county treasurer in each county shall apportion the payment in accordance with section 435.25.
There is appropriated annually from the general fund of the state to the department of revenue
and finance an amount sufficient to carry out this subsectiori.
[C66, § 135D.22: C71, 73, 75, § 135D.22, 135D.28; C77, 79, 81, § 135D.22; 82 Acts, ch 1251,
§l]
83 Acts, ch 172. § 2; 83 Acts, ch 189, § 1, 2, 4, 6; 86 Acts, ch 1244, § 26; 87 Acts, ch 198, § 1;
87 Acts, ch 210, § 1:88 Acts, ch 1139, § 1; 89 Acts, ch 190, § 1; 90 Acts, ch 1250, § 1; 91 Acts,
ch 267, § 513; 92 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1001, §215,216 C93, § 435.22
94 Acts, ch 1110, §7-9; 94 Acts, ch 1165. §30; 96 Acts, ch 1167, § 7
',
435.23 Exemptions--prorating tax.
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The manufacturer's and dealer's inventory of mobile homes, manufactured homes, or modular
homes not in use as a place of human habitation shall be exempt from the annual tax. All travel
trailers shall be exempt from this tax. The homes and travel trailers in the inventory of
manufacturers and dealers shall be exempt from personal property tax. The homes coming into
Iowa from out of state and located in a mobile home park shall be liable for the tax computed pro
rata to the nearest whole month, for the time the home is actually situated in Iowa.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81. § 135D.23]
87 Acts, ch 210, § 2
C93, § 435.23
94 Acts, ch 1110, § 10
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435.24 Collection of tax.
1. The annual tax is due and payable to the county treasurer on or after July 1 in each fiscal
year and is collectible in the same manner and at the same time as ordinary taxes as provided in
sections 445.36, 445.37, and 445.39. Interest at the rate prescribed by law shall accrue on unpaid
taxes. Both installments of taxes may be paid at one time. The September installment represents
a tax period beginning July 1 and ending December 31. The March installment represents a tax
period beginning January I and ending June 30. A mobile home, manufactured home, or
modular home coming into this state from outside the state, put in use from a dealer's inventory,
or put in use at any time after July 1 or January 1, and located in a mobile home park, is subject
to the taxes prorated for the remaining unexpired months of the tax period, but the purchaser is
not required to pay the tax at the time of purchase. Interest attaches the following April I for
taxes prorated on or after October I. Interest attaches the following October 1 for taxes prorated
on or after April 1. If the taxes are not paid, the county treasurer shall send a statement of
delinquent taxes as pan of the notice of tax sale as provided in section 446.9. The owner of a
home who sells the home between July 1 and December 31 and obtains a tax clearance statement
is responsible only for the September tax payment and is not required to pay taxes for subsequent
tax periods. If the owner of a home located in a mobile home park sells the home, obtains a tax
clearance statement, and obtains a replacement home to be located in a mobile home park, the
owner shall not pay taxes under this chapter for the newly acquired home for the same tax period
that the owner has paid taxes on the home sold. Interest for delinquent taxes shall be calculated
to the nearest whole dollar. In calculating interest each fraction of a month shall be counted as an
entire month.
2. The home owners upon issuance of a certificate of title or upon transporting to a new site
shall file the address, township, and school district, of the location where the home is parked with
the county treasurer's office. Failure to comply is punishable as set out in section 435.18. When
the new location is outside of a mobile home park, the county treasurer shall provide to the
assessor a copy of the tax clearance statement for purposes of assessment as real estate on the
following January I.
3. Each mobile home park owner shall notify monthly the county treasurer concerning any
home arriving in or departing from the park without a tax clearance statement. The records of
the owner shall be open to inspection by a duly authorized representative of any law enforcement
agency. Any property owner, manager or tenant shall report to the county treasurer homes
parked upon any property owned, managed, or rented by that person.
4. The tax is a lien on the vehicle senior to any other lien upon it except a judgment obtained
in an action to dispose of an abandoned home under section 555B.8. The home bearing a current
registration issued by any other state and remaining within this state for an accumulated period
not to exceed ninety days in any twelve-month period is not subject to Iowa tax. However, when
one or more persons occupying a home bearing a foreign registration are employed in this state,
there is no exemption from the lowa tax. This tax is in lieu of all other taxes general or local on
1997 Merged Iowa Code and Supplement 4
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a home.
5. Before a home may be moved from its present site by any person, a tax clearance statement
in the name of the owner must be obtained from the county treasurer of the county where the
present site is located certifying that taxes are not owing under this section for previous years and
that the taxes have been paid for the current tax period. When the home is moved to another
count)' in this state. the county treasurer shall forward a copy of the tax clearance statement to the
count), treasurer of the count3' in which the home is being relocated. However, a tax clearance
statement is not required for a home in a manufacturer's or dealer's stock which is not used as a
place for human habitation. A tax clearance form is not required to move an abandoned home.
A tax clearance form is not required in eviction cases provided the mobile home park owner or
manager advises the county treasurer that the tenant is being evicted. If a dealer acquires a home
from a person other than a manufacturer, the person shall provide a tax clearance statement in the
name of the owner of record to the dealer. The tax clearance statement shall be provided by the
county treasurer in a method prescribed by the department of transportation.
6. a. As an alternative to the semiannual or annual payment of taxes, the county treasurer may
accept partial payments of current year home taxes. A minimum payment amount shall be
established by the treasurer. The treasurer shall transfer amounts from each taxpayer's account to
be applied to each semiannual tax installment prior to the delinquency dates specified in section
445.37 and the amounts collected shall be apportioned by the tenth of the month following
transfer. If, prior to the due date of each semiannual installment, the account balance is
insufficient to fully satisfy the installment, the treasurer shall transfer and apply the entire
account balance. leaving an unpaid balance of the installment. Interest shall attach on the unpaid
balance in accordance with section 445.39. Unless funds sufficient to fully satisfy the
delinquency are received. the treasurer shall collect the unpaid balance as provided in sections
445.3 and 445.4 and chapter 446. Any remaining balance in a taxpayer's account in excess of the
amount needed to fully satisfy an installment shall remain in the account to be applied toward the
next semiannual installment. Any interest income derived from the account shall be deposited in
the county's general fund to cover administrative costs. The treasurer shall send a notice with the
tax statement or by separate mail to each taxpayer stating that, upon request to the treasurer. the
taxpayer may make partial payments of current year home taxes.
b. Partial payment of taxes which are delinquent may be made to the county treasurer. A
minimum payment amount shall be established by the treasurer. The minimum payment must be
equal to or exceed the interest. fees, and costs attributed to the oldest delinquent installment of
the tax and shall be apportioned in accordance with section 445.57. If the payment does not
include the whole of an), installment of the delinquent tax, (he unpaid tax shall continue to accrue
interest pursuant to secnon 445.39. Partial payment shall not be permitted in lieu of redemption
if the property has been sold for taxes under chapter 446 and under any circumstances shall not
constitute an extension of the time period for a sale under chapter 446.
7. Current year taxes may be paid at any time regardless of any outstanding prior year
delinquent taxes.
[C66, 71, 73.75, 77, 79, 81, § 135D.24; 82 Acts. ch 1251, § 2]
83 Acts, ch 5, § 1,2, 4.5:85 Acts, ch 70, §1; 86 Acts, ch 1139, § 1; 86 Acts, ch 1245. § 1115;
87 Acts, ch 210, §3-5:88 Acts, ch 1138, §11, 18:90 Acts. ch 1080. § 2; 91 Acts, ch 191. §2, 3;
92 Acts, ch 1016, § 1 C93. § 435.24
94 Acts, ch 1110, §1 I. 12
435.25 Apportionment and collection of taxes.
The tax and interest for delinquent taxes collected under section 435.24 shall be apportioned in
the same manner as though they were the proceeds of taxes levied on real property at the same
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location as the home.
Chapters 446, 447, and 448 apply' to the sale of a home for the collection of delinquent taxes
and interest, the redemption of a home sold for the collection of delinquent taxes and interest,
and the execution of a tax sale certificate of title for the purchase of a home sold for the
collection of delinquent taxes and interest in the same manner as though a home were real
property within the meaning of these chapters to the extent consistent with this chapter. The
certificate of title shall be issued by the county treasurer. The treasurer shall charge ten dollars
for each certificate of title, except that the treasurer shall issue a tax sale certificate of title to the
county at no charge.
When a home is removed from the county where delinquent taxes, regular or special, are
owing, or when it is administratively impractical to pursue tax collection through the remedies of
this section, all taxes, regular and special, interest, and costs shall be abated by resolution of the
county board of supervisors. The resolution shall direct the treasurer to strike from the tax books
the reference to that home.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, § 135D.25; 82 Acts, ch 1251, § 3]
87 Acts, ch 210, §6, 7; 88 Acts, ch 1134, §26; 92 Acts, ch 1016, §2
C93, § 435.25
94 Acts, ch 1110, § 13
435.26 Conversion to real property.
1. a. A mobile home, modular home, or manufactured home which is located outside a mobile
home park shall be converted to real estate by being placed on a permanent foundation and shall
be assessed for real estate taxes. A home, after conversion to real estate, is eligible for the
homestead tax credit and the military tax exemption as provided in sections 425.2 and 427.3.
b. If a security interest is noted on the certificate of title, the home owner shall tender to the
secured party a mortgage on the real estate upon which the home is to be located in the unpaid
amount of the secured debt, and with the same priority as or a higher priority than the secured
party's security interest, or shall obtain the written consent of the secured party to the conversion,
~n which latter case the lien notation on the certificate of title shall suffice to preserve the
lienholder's security in the home separate from any interest in the land.
2. After complying with subsection 1, the owner shall notify the assessor who shall inspect the
new premises for compliance. If a security interest is noted on the certificate of title, the assessor
shall require an affidavit, as defined in section 622.85, from the home owner, declaring that the
owner has complied with subsection 1, paragraph "b~, and setting forth the method of
compliance.
a. If compliance with subsection 1, paragraph "b ", has been accomplished by the secured party
accepting the tender of a mortgage, the assessor shall collect the home vehicle title and enter the
property upon the tax rolls.
b. If compliance with subsection 1. paragraph "b ", has been accomplished by the secured party
consenting to the conversion without accepting a mortgage, the secured party shall retain the
home vehicle title and the assessor shall note the conversion on the assessor's records and enter
the property upon the tax rolls. So long as a security interest is noted on the certificate of title,
the title to the home will not be merged with title to the land. and the sale or foreclosure of an
interest in the land shall not affect title to the home or any security interest in the home. [C66, 71, 73, 75.77, 79, 81, § 135D.26]
83 Acts, ch 64, § 1; 85 Acts, ch 98. § 2; 89 Acts, ch 260, §1; 91 Acts, ch 191, §4, 5
C93, § 435.26
94 Acts, ch 1110, §14
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435.27 Reconversion.
1. A mobile home, manufactured home, or modular home converted to real estate under
section 435.26 may be reconverted to a home as provided in this section when it is moved to a
mobile home park or a dealer's inventory. When the home is located within a mobile home park,
the home shall be taxed pursuant to section 435.22, subsection 1.
2. If the vehicular frame of the home can be modified to return it to the status of a mobile
home or manufactured home, the owner or a secured party holding a mortgage or certificate of
title pursuant to section 435.26 who has obtained possession of the home may apply to the
county treasurer as provided in section 321.20 for a certificate of title for the home. If a
mortgage exists on the real estate, a security interest in the home shall be given to a secured party
not applying for reconversion and noted on the certificate of title with the same priority or a
higher priority than the secured party's mortgage interest. A reconversion shall not occur without
the written consent of every secured party holding a mortgage or certificate of title.
If the secured party has elected to retain the home vehicle title pursuant to section 435.26,
subsection 2, paragraph "b", an owner applying for reconversion shall present to the county
treasurer written consent to the reconversion from all secured parties and an affirmation from the
secured party holding the title that the title is in its possession and is intact. Upon receipt of the
affirmation, the county treasurer shall notify the assessor of the reconversion, which notification
constitutes compliance by the owner with subsection 3.
3. After compliance with subsection 2 and receipt of the title, the owner shall notify the
assessor of the reconversion. The assessor shall remove the assessed valuation of the home from
assessment rolls as of the succeeding January 1 when the home becomes subject to taxation as
provided under section 435.24.
85 Acts, ch 98, 5 1
CS85, 5 135D.27
89 Acts, ch 260, 5 2
C93, 5 435.27
94 Acts, ch 1110, 515
'i :~,, ; ,~-,~!. '~ ': 9~) ,;~!~c:~,i~,~'l~i~ ~:':,c c~f~c! .l~,~:dr'. ! i'~)5~ ~i '\CI~. ~'il I 1~,'.
435.28 County treasurer to notify assessor.
Upon issuance of a certificate of title to a mobile home or manufactured home which is not
located in a mobile home park or dealer's inventory, the county treasurer shall notify the assessor
of the existence of the home for tax assessment purposes. ,
94 Acts, ch 1110, 516
435.29 Civil penalty.
The person who moves the mobile home, manufactured home, or modular home without
having obtained a tax clearance statement as provided in section 435.24 shall pay a civil penalty
of one hundred dollars. The penalty money shall be credited to the general fund of the county.
85 Acts, ch 70, 52
CS85, 5 135D.29
C93, 5 435.29
94 Acts, ch 1110, 517
~:l' ;"'!, ~,!,,1'-- i,[ iii,).. ,Ai!i.'!lki'~:,,~l~['. !,ilx~ :. ] !Ci.'I .~i;:lli[l!'x. ~ ~Qt,)~: i);~ ~,c.'[', ~ [ ': [(1, ~:24
435.30 through 435.32 Reserved.
435.33 Rent reimbursement.
A home owner who qualifies for a reduced tax rate provided in section 435.22 and who rents a
1997 Merged iowa Code and Supplement 7
CD-ROM
space upon which to set the home shall be entitled to the protections provided in sections 425.33
to 425.36 and if the home owner who qualifies for a reduced tax rate believes that a landlord has
increased the home owner's rent because the home owner is eligible for a reduced tax rate, the
provisions of sections 425.33 and 425.36 shall be applicable.
[C77, 79, 81, § 135D.33]
C93, § 435.33
94 Acts, ch 1110, § 18
'lax i':,.r,,~,, i~,i~nl.,. C,f !9(t4 afr'tcndlTlcrll~. tal.;c clT(:cI .k~-H:;.:r',, i. 19(}5:~-]4 AcIs. oil I i ]0. ~24
435.34 Modular home exemption. Repealed by 94 Acts, ch 1110, §24, 25.
435.35 Existing home outside of mobile home park-exemption.
A taxable mobile home, manufactured home, or modular home which is not located in a mobile
home park as of January 1, 1995, shall be assessed and taxed as real estate. The home is also
exempt from the permanent foundation requirements of this chapter until the home is relocated.
94 Acts, ch 1110, § 19
.lanu,!r.v I, I~)aS. ~.'f~;ccti,,-~: c!at~: ~;,,~ ~2,~ provisions: ~:~c ~4 ,.%.ct~,, ch I I i0.
1997 Merged Iowa Code and Supplement 8
CD-ROM
Study Finds Project D.A.R.E Ineffective
A study published today by the American Psychological Association found that '~"
Project DA.R.E. (Drag Abuse Resistance :Education) has no long-term effect
on substance use. University of Kentucky researchers found that the
police-led series of classroom lessons designed to teach students how to say
no to drugs and alcohol only showed some short:term improvements. They
tracked more than 1000 sixth graders who went through the D.A.R.E. program '
and revisited them 10 years later. Of those students, 23 percent smoked
half a pack of cigarettes a day in the previous month and 30 percent used
alcohol at least once a week in the past year. Donald Lynam, the study's
lead author, said that the program is flawed because it only focuses on peer
pressure and self-esteem.
Source: Stephaan Harris, 'Schools' Anti-Drug Message. Fails To Last," USA
TODAY, August 2, 1999, p. D 1.
Citation I
~ique Identifier
99379125
~thors
Lvnnm DR. Milich R..Zimmerman R: Novak SP. Logan TK. Martin C. Leukef~ld C. Clayton R.
stitution
Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40506, USA.
DLYNAI(~POP. UKY.EDU
tie
Project DARE: no efteeLs at 10-year follow-up.
urce
Joumai of Consulting & Clinical Psychology. 67(4):590-3, 1999 Aug.
cal Messages
May be available at the Psychology Library (cheek OASIS)
.straet ....
The present study examined the impact of Project DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), a widespread drug-prevention program, 10 years
after administration. A total of 1,002 individuals who in 6th grade had either received DARE or a standard drug-education curriculum, were
reevaiuated at age 20. Few differences were found between the 2 groups in terms of actual drug use, drug attitudes, or self-esteem, and in no case
did the DARE group have a more successful outcome than the comparison group. Possible reasons why DARE remains so popular, despite the
lack of documented efficacy, are offered.
'~'.ii Contact: Joan Quinlan
Phone: (301) 443-7531
PREVENTION PROGRAMS RECOGNIZED FOR
REDUCING DRUG USE AND RELATED PROBLEMS
AMONG HIGH-RISK YOUTH
The Substance Abuse and Ment;l Health Se~i~; Administration';'(SAMHSAi C~nter for Substance Abuse '
Prevention (CSAP) today recognized seven prevention programs for helping high-risk youth tb avoid substance use
and related problems. High-risk factors include: being a child of a substance abuser; a victim of child abuse;
economically disadvantaged; dropping out of school; committing violent or deliquent acts; becoming pregnant as a
teenager; attempting suicide; and being physically disabled.
Rigorous evaluations of each of the seven programs were conducted by CSAP through the High-Risk Youth
Demonstration Grants Program showing significant reductions in alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug use among the
youth. -These programs also demonstrated positive changes in a number of risk factors related to substance use,
including: enhanced ability to refuse drugs and resolve conflicts, reduced school failure and improved attendance;
and improved communications between parents and their children. One of the programs found consistent positive
trends which reduced school violence.
"These highly successful and innovative programs are outstanding examples of what can and must be done to lead
our young people down the right path--away from substance use and related problems so costly to families,
communities and our entire society," said SAMHSA Administrator Nelba Chavez, Ph.D. "Preventing substance use
among youth before it starts obviously is the best of all approaches, and local leaders, policy makers and health care
providers across the nation should not delay in taking a long, hard look at what these seven programs have
accomplished and how they got the job done."
"The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that there will be approximately 51 million children and adolescents between the
ages of 5 and 17 in the United States by 2000, many of whom will be at a high risk for alcohol, tobacco and illicit
drug use," said CSAP Director Karol L. Kumpfer, Ph.D. "Therefore, it is timely that we have well evaluated
programs that offer opportunities for other agencies, policy makers and practitioners to implement effective
programs for high-risk youth."
The seven grantee programs recognized as having met the highest standards of evaluation research and produced
significant, positive changes in the lives of young people include:
· Across Ages (Temple University) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;
· Child Development Project (Developmental Studies Center) in Cupertino, Salinas and San Francisco,
California; Louisville, Kentucky; Dade County, Florida; and White Plains, New York;
· Creating Lasting Connections (Council on Prevention and Education: Substances, Inc.) in Louisville,
Jefferson and Nelson Counties, Kentucky;
· Dare To Be You (Colorado State University Cooperative Extension) in Montezuma County, Colorado
Springs, San Luis Valley and Ute Indian Reservation, Colorado;
· Family Advocacy Network (Penn State University) in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; Fort Lauderdale, Florida;
Jamestown, New York; and North Little Rock, Arkansas;
· Residential Student Assistance Program (Student Assistance Services Corp.) in Westchester County, New
York;
· SMART Leaders (Penn State University) in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Jamestown,
New York; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and North Little Rock, Arkansas.
SAMHSA's 'High-Risk Youth Demonstration Grants Program has helped families and communities develop
h~.,gtC~.s~fri~t.ogb~31k~51-S~~Fg~.j~uilding skills and developing relationships needed to resist aletoA~q[,/99
..~ ....
C,~AP supports sclenU~cafiy proven programs that focus on areas with the biggest Influence on youth
development, learning, and maturaUon: primarily schools, family members, mentors, peers. and
community or~anizaUone. Through stratsglc intervenUons, these programs have consistently provided
short- and .longarm positive results for children, their families, and communiUes. For a quick glance
at the Model Progroins, ;liCk .here. For · more indepth look at the Model Programs, click on the links
below.
:1'his me·toting program pairs older ·d~Jits with middle-school age students. Results: Improved school
attendance, increased know(edge ·bout the consequences of substance abuse, enhanced ability to
respond appropriately to drug use situaUon and pressure.
This school improvement initiative helps element·r/schools nurture students' desire to learn and work
with others by integrating the roles families and sciqool staff, Results: 11% decrease in alcohol use; 2%
decrease in ma~uana use; increased enjoyment of school participation; increased resilence to
substance use.
This 5-year demonstration pro~ect in Louisville, KY, and s~x surrounding counties scientifically
demonstrates that youth and families in high-risk environments can become strong, healthy, and
supportive faroires resistant to substance Ose, Results: Increased bonding and communication between
parents and children; greater use of community services for resolvb~J family and personal matters.
This multilevel program is an adaptation of the Dare To Be You community and school train·n9
programs that improve communication, problem-soWing, serf-esteem, and family bonding. Results:
Dramatic improvements in parents' sense of competence, satisfaction with and positive attitude about
beir~ a parent; substantial decreases in parents' use o( harsh punishment; and significant increases in
chiidren'a development levels. '-
The F·m~ Ad~,ocacy Network (FAN) Club program directly involves parents and youth participating in
Boys and Girls Clubs of America's SMART Moves program. Results: Strengthens families and
promotes family bonding; enhanced adolescents' ability to refuse alcohol, mar~uana. and dc3arettes;
and increased their knowledge of and negative attitudes Ioward substance use.
The Residential Student Assistance Program was oricjinally adopted from a hlghl,/successful
Westchester Oounty. NY. Student Assistance Program. similar to the popular Employee Assistance
Prc~3rems. This prevention effort reaches youth in juvenile detention facilities and other residential-
based seffings. Results: Alcohol use fell 72.2%. mar~uana use fell 58.8%. and tobacco use fell 26.g%.
This is a 2-year, sequential booster program for youth who have completed Stay SMART, a comiCorient
of Boys and Girls Clubs of Amedca's SMART Moves Program- Results: decreased rates of alcohol.
tobacco. man]uana. and Elicit drug use and increased knowledge of the health consequences and
prevalence of lhese substances.
Overview Model Proc~rams
http-.//www.samhsa. gov/csap/modclprogram~modelhomcncw. htm 3/'2/00
SAMlISA is the federal govemment's lead agency for improving the quality and availability of substance abuse
prevention, addiction treatment and mental health services in the U.S., and is a public health agency in the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services. The Center for Substance Abuse Prevention is a component of
SAMHSA. News releases, fact sheets, statistics, reports and other SAMt-ISA documents may be retrieved at
· ' vsamhsa. gov
News media requests for information on SAMHSA's substanc~ abuse and mental.health programs should be directed
to Media Services at 1-800-487-4890.
h rip ://www. samhsa. go v/PIE S S/99/990519nr.htm 12/14/99
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
Date: April 27, 2000
To: Mayor Lehman
From: Scott Kugle~,Associate Planner
Re: Historic Preservation Commission Review of National Register Nomination for the
Bethel A.M.E. Church, 411 S. Governor Street
Nomination forms for listing the Bethel A.M.E. Church at 411 S. Governor Street on the
National Register of Historic Places have been filed with the State Historical Society of
Iowa. This nomination was initiated by the property owners, but must be reviewed by the
Historic Preservation Commission as part of the typical nomination review process. The
Commission is responsible for hosting a public review of the nomination, providing an
opportunity for input by public officials and other interested individuals. The Commission
will review this nomination at its May 11, 2000, meeting, to be held at 5:30 p.m. in the
Council Chambers. You, as well as other Council members and any other interested
individuals, are welcome to attend and provide comments at the May 11 meeting. A copy
of the nomination form is attached, and forms are also available for review at the City
Clerk's Office and the Public Library.
A recommendation from the Mayor is required as part of the local review process. I have
included a copy of the review form that must be completed and returned to the State. Feel
free to note your recommendation and comments on this review form or, if you wish, you
may wait until after the Commission makes its recommendation and incorporate its
comments into your recommendation. I will be in contact with you after the May 11
meeting to get your recommendation and signature on the review form.
cc: City Council (without attachment)
CLG NATZONAL REGZSTER REVZEW
CLG Name Zowa City Date of Public Meeting
Property Name Bethel A.r,I.E. Church, 411 South Governor 5;treet, Iowa City, IA .3ohnson County
:1. For Historic Preservation Commission:
E] Recommendation of National Register eligibility
[] Recommendation of National Register ineligibility
Signature Date
Reason(s) for recommendation:
2. For Chief Elected Local Official:
[] Recommendation of National Register eligibility
rn Recommendation of National Register ineligibility
Signature Date
Reason(s) for recommendation:
3. Professional Evaluation Name
[] Recommendation of National Register eligibility
[] Recommendation of National Register ineligibility
Signature Date
Reason(s) for recommendation:
RETURN TO: State Historical Society of Iowa, ATI'N: National Register Coordinator, 600 E. Locust, Des Ivioines,
IA 50319
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service ..
National Register of Historic Places
..Continuation Sheet
Additional Documentation
Section number Page 2 3
Be~el A.M.g Chu~h, Johnson Count, L~ FLOOR PLAN-lst level
',i'a;~ ...... i ..... I ~ i ,
'~"" ' ' ' i i .... a ' ' e.q:
----~: ~-i.---- I ~ ! I ' } '!
!~ . , . · ( - ,i --r:
~_._J.__, I , ' i i ~ : :
,: ~:i t~ , . , i . ,:
'!',.:~"~ "';~"'1i ...;,. !l --r-7~
]_':~ L_!:i_L." ~' i' i_j_i ! .
~ ~ ': i'T-- ~ "-- ' ~ '
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',.' : i ~' ~ ~ ~"i I il [YlI~ !'~'_CL._i ':'
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' I I ~ ~ q I : ! , : [ , :
· --.s ~' >:-H ....'.. !,!:, -!,~-i~- .;;i ~:7 '!"~':'
_..'__ __j _[__.: ....._j _ . _:__a, :.~ ~ '- ._..; ......... · .....~ ......
...... ! ..... ' .... ':---:--;__i ........:__; .....E---:- i ""~'." '. ........
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Additional Documentation
Section number Page 2 4
Bethel A.M.E. Church, Johnson County,
SITE PLAN
(Oct. 199o)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Sentice
National Register of Historic Places
Registration Form
This Io{m'b Io~ use in nomltmtJng oc requesting determinelions Ioc individual pm~edles and ~. ,See instructions in How ~o Goreplate ~
NaZ~I RegtsterdHlsto~ Pleo~ P, egls~tion Farm (National Reglaler Bulle6n 16A). Comptme each item by maldng "x" In the ~oprolxlate box or
by .eme~'~g me inlom~lo~ requested. If en Item does n<X ~ to Ihe property being documented, enter "N/A" Io~ "no~ appac~le." Foc functions,
arch/tectural cb___.~1ca6o~, matmlals, ~ e~eas of ~gnl~:~-e, enter only categories a~! subcategories Irom the instrudjons. Place additional
entries m~l narra~ve Items on co~lnuatJon sheets (NPS Form 10-9(X)a). Use · lypewdter, v~xcl processor, er computer, to complete all Items.
1. Na~ne of Property
historic name Bethel A.N.E. Church
other names/site number Bethel. African Methodist EpiscOpal Church
2. Location
street &number 411 South Governor Street N/A El. not f or publication
city or town Iowa City N/A [] %4dn~y
state Iowa code...IA county Johnson code 103 zip code 52240
3. State/Fedend Agency CerlJficatJon
[] reque~ Io~ dete.~atb. et eag~my me~s the documenta~m standards fo~ reg~tadn9 pm~mes b the Natio.~ Regret of
8ign~ure el Certifying of~:IaiLT1~ Date
'Bt~eafFederalegenW~clbureeu
bmyo~n~.~heFogenyl'lmeml'lckxm~mee~hemmonmP~m~cr.e~(OSeeamm~t~el~ee~.~kSUon~
commare.)
SignstuN el cAe~lfyinO elficlal/Tle Date
Sta~e or Federal agency end bureau
4. NaUonal Park Service Certification
I hereby cedify that the property i~: Signature of the Keeper Date oe Action
i"] entered in the Natiormi Register.
[] See continuation sheel.
[] determined eligible !o~ the
National Register
[] See continuatio~ sheet.
[] determined not eligible Ior the
National Register.
[] removed Irom the National
Register,
[] other. (explain:)
Ref'hF,'l A. ~I_ 1~.. F'h,,rch .Tnhnc;on Iowa
Name ol P~ ~nW a~ State
5. ~i~tion
~e~hip of Pro~ ~t~o~ of Pro~ Num~r of Re~s ~hin
(C~k ~ ~ny ~xes as ~y) (Ch~k ~ ~ ~x) ~ ~ i~e F~ i~ r~r~s in ~ ~nt.)
~ private ~ buildings) ~tdbffiing No~b~ing
~ public4~l ~ district
~ public-State ~ site buildings
~ public-F~eral ~ stru~um s~es
~ object ~ru~ures
~ ~ Tot~
Name of relat~ multiple prope~ listing Num~r of contributing resumes previously listed
(Enter "N/A" if ~ny is not pa~ of a muffiple pr~y li~ing.) JR the National R~ister
~/A
6. Function or U~
Historic Fu~s ~ffent Functions
~nter ~t~ f~ ingress) (Enter ~t~ ~ i~)
7. Description
Architectural Classffication Materials
(Enter categories fTom instructions) (Enter categories from instructions)
MID- ].QTH CENTURY foundation BRICK
w~ls WOO D/we a the rboa r~.
roof ASP. HALT
other
NarraUve Description
(Describe the histodc and current condition of the properly on one or more continuation sheets.)
~ethe!A..~..F_.. Church Johnson Iowa
Name of Properly County and State
8. Statement of Significance
· Applicable National Register Criteria Areas of Significance
(Mark "x" in one or more boxes for the criteria qualifying the property (Enter categories Irom instructions)
for National Register listing,) ETHNIC HERITAgE/BLACK
FX]YA Property is associated with events that have made SOCIAL HISTORY
a significant contribution to the broad patterns of
our history.
[] B Property is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past.
[] C Property embodies the distinctive characteristics
of a type, period, or method of construction or
represents the work of a master, or possesses
high artistic values, or repres.ents a significant and
distinguishable entity whose components lack Period of Significance
individual distinction. lr~(; rt - 1~5r)
[] D Property has yielded, or is likely to yield,
information important in prehistory or history.
Criteria Considerations Significant Dates
(Mark "x" in all the boxes that apply.)
1R6R
Property is: c. 19 2 3
I'~ A owned by a religious institution or used for
religious purposes.
Significant Person
[] B removed from its original location. (Cornp~te il Criterion B is marked above)
N/A
[] C a birthplace or grave.
Cultural Affiliation
ED D a cemetery.
[] E a reconstructed building, object, or structure.
[] F a commemorative property.
[] G less than 50 years of age or achieved significance Architect/Builder
within the past 50 years. unknown
NarraUve Statement of Significance
(Explain the significance of the properly on one or more continuation sheets.)
9, Major Bibliographical References
Bibliography
(Cite the books, articles, and other sources used in preparing this form on one or more continuation sheets.)
Previous documentation on file (NPS): Primary location of additional data:
['] preliminary determination of individual listing (36 {:~;~xState Historic Preservation Office
CFR 67) has been requested [] Other State agency
[] previously listed in the National Register [] Federal agency
E] previously determined eligible by the National xJ~] Local government
Register [] University
[] designated a National Historic Landmark [] Other
[] recorded by Historic American Buildings Survey Name of repository:
[] recorded by Historic American Engineering Record ff
Bethel A.~4.. E. Church Johnson Iowa :
Name of Property County 8r~ State
10. Geographical Data
Acreage of Property less than 1 acre "
UTM References
(Place additional UTM references on a continuation sheet.)
ll gJ 31 111,1 ,',11,1,1,, I
Zone Easting Nodhing Zone Easting Nodhing
21 111,1,,11,1',1,,I 41 111,1,,11,1,1,,I
E] See continuation sheet
Verbal Boundary Description
O:)escribe the boundaries of the property on · continuation sheet.)
Boundary Justification
(Expiain why the boundaries were elected on a continuation sheet.)
11. Form Prepared By
research assistance by Dianna Penny, ~rancine Thompson,
name/title3an O'live Nash w/Diana -BrVant, anc~ .l:,~rv~rence ~x~Tn
organization Ta.'l, Zc~rass Historians L,C, date January :2t/~10
street &number 211R S, Rivers'iae Drive telephone 3l~/35~-(;727
dty or town Iowa C i tv state IA zip code 522 a 6
Additional Documentation
Continuation Sheets
A USGS map g.5 or 15 minute series) indicating the property's location.
A Sketch map for historic districts and properties having large acreage or numerous resources.
Photographs
Representative black and white photographs of the Imo~rty.
Additional Items
(Check with the SHPO or FPO for any additional iteM)
Property Owner
(Complete this item at the request of SHPO or FPO.)
name Rethel ,A.M.E. Church
street &number all -qouth covernor ,qt. telephone 31C)./3~R-5~;75
city or town Iowa City state IA zip code 52240
Pepenvork Reduction Act Statement: This info~metion is being collected for applications to the National Register ol Historic Places to nominate
p~opedies for listing or determine eligibility for listing. to list pm~rties. and to amend existing listings. Response to this request is required to obtain
a benerd in accordance with the National Historic Preservatio~ Act. as amended (16 U.S.C. 470 et seq.}.
Estimated Burden Statement: Public reCx)ding burden for this fore1 is estimated to average 18.1 hours per response including time f(x reviewing
instrudions. gathering and maintaining data. and completing and reviewing the fore1. Direct comments regarding this burden estimate or any ssped
of this form to the Chief. Administrative Services Division. National Park Service. P.O. 8ox 37127. Washington. DC 20013-7127; and the Off'K;e of
Management and Budget Paperwork Redudions Proj0cts (I024-0018). Washington. DC 20503.
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number ? Page i
Bethel A.M.E. Church, Johnson County, IA
7. DESCRIPTION
The modest Bethel A.M.E. Church in Iowa City, Iowa, was constructed in 1868 with
simple lines and plain details. Situated with its gable ends perpendicular to Governor Street.,
the building is rectangular in shape, symmetrical in fenestration, and' domestic in scale. A
moderately-pitched roof clad in modern asphalt shinglesn caps wood-frame walls .that are
covered with narrow clapboards. At each corner of the building clapboarding terminates at
narrow, vertical trim boards. Likewise, caveline fascia boards are narrow. The modern
wooden front door bears a cross-the only .architectural reference to the building's religious
character. The door is centered on the facade's gable wall direc~y under the ridge peak. A
single-pane transom light is located above the door. The church faces east enabling morning
sunlight to shine through the transom into the church's interior. OVer the transom hangs a
small rectangular sign panel that no longer bears any printing. A shed-roof canopy (not
original) covers the front porch. Steep stairs from the entrance down to the sidewalk are
necessanJ to accommodate both the slight rise of the front yard and the elevation resulting
from the church's raised foundation. Side walls on the building are each pierced by two large,
2x2 sash windows filled with opaque "privacy" glass consistent with the 1920s. The rear
wall is solid, reflecting the interior position of the pulpit and chancel end of the sanctuary.
The church sits on a raised, red brick foundation believed to be from the early 1920s.
Records are not clear on how high the foundation walls were raised, but the project gave the
pastor and congregation badly needed space in the basement and additional light from large
windows that are above grade. Over the years, the basement has been used foi' a variety of
purposes including meetings, classes, cooking, and social activities. Entrance to the basement
nA photograph submitted to the State Historic Preservation Officer in 1988 shows a standing seam metal
roof on the church. While it is unlikely this metal roof was the original material (more likely it replaced wood
shingles), the metal roof may have sheltered the church since early in the twentieth century. A large number of
buildings in Iowa City have standing seam metal roofs. These roofs of galvanized iron date to the c. 1912-1950
period. Their frequency in town is attributed to the longevity of the Schuppert and Koudclka Sheet Metal
business. Irving Weber, Historical Stories of Iowa City. (1992)7:59.
United States 'Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 7 Page 2
Beffiel A,NLE. Church, Johnson County, IA
is via an exterior stairwell on the long, south side of the building. A gabled porch roof over
the side stairs may not be original. The two stairways serving the building effectively limit
entrance to both floors of the church to those of limber legs only.
The church sanctuary is simple with a traditional arrangement of a central aisle flanked
by rows of chairs for seating the members. The front entrance on the east end wall is opposed
at the west wall by the raised-platform chancel. The pulpit, a piano and ceremonial chairs are
located on the raised platform behind a short banister. Recently installed wainscot panels
about three feet high line the walls all round the sanctua~. Original chair rail molding tops
the wainscoRing and the wood plank floors are covered by modern carpeting. An interior
stovepipe chimney stack is centrally positioned along the long, north wall but no longer
serves any wood or coal stove. Gas and water were added to the building in 1928 and since
then heating has been provided by modern furnaces.2 The basement below the sanctuary is
basically one large room with a small rest room in the corner. I~dtchen cupboards and
appliances line the south wall. Large tables are set up in the center of the room to serve
multiple purposes.
· Sitting on a narrow half-lot, the church building- fills that portion of its. site nearest
Governor Street which is currently a northbound one-way street.3 The rear yard of the church
is open and grassy, and slopes slightly downhill toward a graveled. alley. From c. 1893 until
the fall of 1988 a small parsonage existed behind the church to .provide housing for resident
pastors and 'their families. When there was no pastor, the house was rented to a tenant who
was sometimes a church trustee. The parsonage was a small, square, wood-frame building
2Though primary sources are rare, facts and dates about the church are taken from the work of three church
members: Mrs. Lottie Donnegan, who noted some of the church's history in a handwritten manuscript dated
April 6, 1937 (collection of Bethel A.M.E. Church); and Francine Thompson and Diana Bryant, current day
sleuths. The latter two serve on the Church's committee for preserving the church and its history. Ms.
Thompson, the current church historian, wrote an article entitled "Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church
History, April l, 1868, Celebrating 127 Years" which was published as a part of a bookJet compiled for the May
12, 1995 anniversary celebration (collection of the author; also available at the Johnson County Heritage
Museum in Coralville, Iowa).
~The church is located on the south half of Lot 19 of Block I of C.H. Berryhill's 2nd Addition (filed 1866).
No evidence was found in land transfer records from the late 1860s to early 1870s that the church organization
ever owned additional land in this area.
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 7 Page 3
Bethel A.M.E. Church, Johnson County, IA
that at least by the late 1950s was arranged as four bedrooms and a bathroom (see Figure 1).4
Family cooking and socializing were undertaken in the church's raised basement. During the
years 1893 to c. 1923--the years before the basement was expanded--a portion of the
parsonage may also have been devoted to cooking and living room space. Both the parsonage
and the church have each suffered a fire. In 1923, while a remodeling project was underway,
the church had a midnight fire which resulted in smoke and water damage.5 The parsonage
sustained heavy damage a year later when a persistent fire re-ignited three times over the
course of one night. The fire, "of unknown origin, practically destroyed the A.M.E.
parsonage, and water did what the flames didn't."6 It is unclear whether the parsonage could
be salvaged or had to be rebuilt.
A short driveway leads from the street to the south side of the church and the
fenceline for a nearby house lies close to the church on the north side. Occupying just half
an 80' x 150' lot, the 20' wide the church leaves roughly 10 feet of yard space between it and the
adjacent properties] The mature trees on the lot add to the congested feeling. Off the chumh's front
north comer is a very large white oak thought to be more than a 100 years old and "one of the best in
the neighborhood." Off the southeast comer is a fenceline catalpa about 65 years old. The catalpa was
an ornamental tree much favored by Victorians but it freely se~s itself making its presence in any
one location as much a matter of chance as choice. Another large catalpa is located in the rear yard.8
Txte floor plan sketch and description of the parsonage are from Dianna Penny who arrived in Iowa City
with her parents from Muscatine, Iowa, in 1958. Her father, Rev. Fred L. Penny, served as the pastor of Bethel
Church until his death in 1994. Dianna Penny's brother, Fred N. Penny, has served as pastor of the St. Paul
A.M.E. Church in Moline, Illinois.
5"Three Fires Mark Sunday in Iowa City," Iowa City Press-Citizen. May 7, 1923. The metal roof seen in a
late 1980s photograph may have been installed after this fire.
6"Fire Makes Three Efforts to Raze Home," Iowa City Press-Citizen, February 11, 1924. Four days after
the fire the Klu Klux Klan met in Iowa City at the fairgrounds to organize an Iowa City chapter. No immediate
linkage between the persistent fire and the Klan was made. Iowa City Press-Citizen, February 15, 1924.
7A recent survey performed at the request of the church indicated the neighbor's fence to the north sits about
a foot into the church's lot. Members are currently considering how to re-establish usage of this additional land.
Historic boundaries of the church for this nomination purpose include the entire lot as surveyed.
sJeff Schabilion to Jan Nash, July 30, 1996. Sehabilion is a professor of botany at the University of Iowa
and was involved in a mid-1990s survey of Iowa City's historic and landmark trees. The survey was sponsored
by the Heritage Tree Program and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources which developed brochures for
self-guided walking tours of the neighborhoods' historic trees. The Bethel A.M.E. Church's location puts it in a
historic (though largely non-extant) upland oak savannah. During the 1870s, the church sponsored camp
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Beffiel A.M.E. Church, Johnson County, IA
FIGURE 1. Parsonage floor plan.
meetings in what was described as "Berryhill's Grove.' The white oak therefore is likely a remnant of the
original natural landscape surrounding the church; the catalpa an errant remnant of early residential ornamental
plantings.
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Befitel A.M.E. Church,. Johnson County, IA
The neighborhood surrounding the church is filled with residences of mixed vintage, though
at least one nearby house on Governor Street may be even earlier than the Bethel church.
This stone house across the street from the church has been dated as early as the 1840s.9
Houses along Governor Street in this area reflect a mixture of income levels as well.
8. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
SUMMARY PARAGRAPH
Criterion A
The Bethel A.M.E. Church in Iowa City is significant as the only historically black
church in Iowa City which, when it was constructed in 1868 and for many years after,
provided a critical and often sole source of community and association for the town's small
population of resident African Americans. Despite erratic and always meager congregation
numbers, hard financial times, and an occasionally inhospitable white population surrounding
it, the Bethel Church has survived over 130 years intact, a reek in a weary place?° It
continues to serve its members as a social and religious institution. Equally important, though
it was rounded generally by officials of the northern-based African Methodist Episcopal
Church, this church in particular was established by freedpersons of southern origins. Thus, it
provides a physical connection and historic link to the last years of slavery in this country as
well'as to the post-war efforts of freedpersons and northern blacks alike to conduct their
ordinary lives as would any other small-town Midwest resident.
~Vlolly Myers Naumann, "Survey and Evaluation of the Longfellow Neighborhood, Iowa City, Iowa,"
unpublished report to the City of Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission, November, 1996, no page
number (but page E-5 of MPDF amendment contained within the report).
L°Taken from the spiritual: My God is a rock in a weary land,
My God is a rock in a weary land,
Shelter in a time of storm.
See Clarence E. Walker, A Rock in a Weary Land: The African Methodist Episcopal Church During the Civil
War and Reconstruction (Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1982).
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Bethel A.M.E. Church, Johnson County, IA
NORTHERN ORIGINS. OF THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
The African Methodist Episcopal Church has its origins in Philadelphia in the late
1700s. Richard Allen .was an ex-slave who purchased his freedom from his Delaware master
in 1777. That same year he converted to Methodism 'and began preaching.'~ By .1786 Allen
was in Philadelphia where he was a shoemaker with a traditional craft shop th.at included
journeymen and apprentices. He also owned a chinracy sweep operation with several
employees. With the profits from these businesses, Alien was.able to amass a small fortune
in cash and property.~2 As a faithful adherent to John Wesley's 'Methodism, Allen also held
regular prayer meetings in which he preached to increasing numbers of the city's free black
population. The formation of the first Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in
Philadelphia--still known affectionately. as the "Mother Church"--was prompted by an extreme
humiliation heaped on Allen and another black leader named Absalom Jones when they
attempted to pray one Sunday at St. George Methodist Episcopal Church. Until their numbers
became uncomfortably large black church members had been permitted to sit on the main
floor of St. George's for Sunday services. Knowing officials wanted to change that policy and
have them now sit in the balcony, Allen and Jones initially took seats at the front of the
balcony. "But the church authorities had actually reserved an even less conspicuous place for
their Negro worshippers in the rear of the gallery." Allen and the others were ejected when
they refused 'to cut short their prayers and relocate to the rear of the balconyJ3
Allen and members of the mutual aid association, the Free Africa Society, began to
raise the funds for construction of their own Methodist church free and independent of the
white church. authorities. "Actually, Allen had previously favored separate facilities to
accommodate the large number of Negro worshippers; however opposition from both races
had compelled him to abandon the idea."~4 Several years after leaving St. George's, the new
church building was completed and dedicated in 1794 as Bethel African Methodist Episcopal
n John Hope Franklin, From Slavery to Freedom: A History of Negro Americans (New York: Alfred A.
Knopf, 1967), 162.
~2Walker, 6-7. When he died in 1830, Allen's estate was valued at approximately $44,000 (Ibid.).
~3Leon F. Litwack, Noah of Slavery: The Negro in the Free States, 1790-1860, (Chicago: The University
of Chicago Press, 1961), 191.
"Ibid., 192.
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Bethel A.M.F.,. Church, Johnson County, IA
Church?5 "The house was called Be.thel, after the example, and...in the spirit of Jacob.''~6
Richard Allen's Methodism was northem and separatist in nature, missionary in its goals, and
valued education as a necessity for both its members and its clergy. Historian Clarence E.
Walker argued that "the founders of the A.M.E. Church believed that Methodism's discipline
would transform the lives of their people and make them useful and productive members of
American society" by, in effect, adopting the "Yankee virtues of industry, thrift, and self-
reliance.'' ~7
Much of the missionary zeal of the Bethelites focused .on the South both before and
after the Civil War where there were so many souls to convert but also stiff competition for
them.is Little has been written. about missionary treks that headed west yet there were several
A.M.E. churches established in Iowa during or following the Civil War. In 1865, an A.M.E.
church was established in Des Moines, in 1867 churches commenced in Burlington and
Muscatine~~9 and a year later in 1868 the Iowa City . A:M.E. church was built.2° The initial
congregations of these churches likely included both newly-arrived northern blacks and
southern freedpersons, and African Americans who arrived in Iowa prior to the Civil War.
~slbid., 194.
t~Daniel A. Payne. HistoBt of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. (Nashville, Tenn: 1891, reprinted by
Johnson Reprint Corporation, 1968), 5. 'The white Methodists of New York had much the same attitude toward
their Negro fellows as those of Philadelphia. The result was a withdrawal of Negroes from the John Street
Methodist Episcopal Church and the establishment of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in 1796."
(Franklin, 163).
~?Walker 3, 7. According to Walker, "John Wesley, the father of Methodism, preached a simple
dootrine...and outlined a guide to Christian ethics [which prohibited] sweating, fighting, drinking, sabbath
breaking, gossiping, failing to pay del~ts...Methodists were also required to be plain in speech and dress..." Obid,
5).
tsThe northern-based Bethel A.M.E. Church found itself in the South in competition for new black members
with the Methodist Church, North, the Zion A.M.E. Church, and the Methodist Church, South. Beyond
Methodism, the Bethelites also encountered the strength of the Baptists in the South during Reconstruction. See
Clarence Walker's study of the Bethel Church's missionary efforts, A Rock in A Weary Land.
tgAnother sources puts the founding of the Muscatine church in 1849. See Marilyn Jackson, "Alexander
Clark, A Redisoovered Black Leader," lowan 23 (Spring 1975): 43-52.
20 Hazel Smith, "The Negro Church in Iowa," (unpubl. M.A. thesis, State University of Iowa, 1926).
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Bethel A.M.E. Church, Johnson County, IA
During the antebellum period, when Iowa's black population grew from 188 in 1840, to 333
in 1849, to 1069 in 1860,2' many of'Iowa's earliest black resi, dents worked in the lead mining
region around Dubuque and the river towns along the Mississippi. During the 1850s
especially, Iowa City was a backdrop for nearby abolitionist activities and became the home
of African American residents, one family of which still persists in town today (see footnote
37).
AFRICAN AMERICANS IN IOWA
Iowa City was geographically located at the intersection of at least two routes of the
underground railroad during the 1850s2~ and a large number of Quakers lived just to the east
in West Branch and Springdale? Iowa City was also the end of the Rock Island rail line
during the late 1850s, a circumstance especially critical for westbound free blacks and
northern free-staters traveling to Kansas. Finally, the presence of the State University of Iowa
drew well-educated white northerners to town. Often .these were anti-slavery people who
2tLeola Nelson Bergmann, The Negro in Iowa, (Des Moines: State Historical Society of Iowa, 1948,
reprinted 1969), 11,13, 15.
22Prior to the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, fugitive Missouri slaves had to flee north into Iowa or east into
Illinois. Quaker settlements in southeast Iowa, especially Salem founded in Henry County in 1835, provided
refuge for north-bound escaped slaves. (The WPA Guide to 1930s, Iowa [1986 reprint], 101). The route led to
the Iowa City area where, among other locations, a Friends church was located in eastern Johnson County
(section 35, Scott Township). See A.T. Andreas's Atlas, 1875; also Topographical Map of Johnson County,
Iowa, 1904. Leland Sage asserted that in~u6ntial residents and sometimes state officials living in Iowa City
funfished assistance to nmaway slaves (in A History of Iowa [Ames: Iowa State Univ. Press, 1974], 139). After
1854, Missouri slaves had another, albeit more circuitous, option. "[F]ree-state settlers in Kansas opened new
routes of escape for slaves. The most important of these underground routes was the Lane Trail, which opened
in 1856. This overland trail ran north out of Topeka, Kansas, into Nebraska and [entered] Iowa [at the
southwest comer of the state.] It provided a safe route for supplies and settlers into Kansas Territory and a
passageway for fugitive slaves north....lohn Brown, James Lane, and other abolitionists used this route to lead
slaves to freedom CRM, 4(1998): 36. Iowa historians have long accepted the assertion that John Brown trained
his men in and around Springdale, Iowa, during the two years prior to his 1859 Harper's Ferry raid (See for
example, WPA, 101-102). Once the eastbound trail entered Iowa, it ran through towns such as Tabor, Lewis,
Des Moines, Grinnell, Iowa City, West Branch, and Springdale. Clinton and Muscatine were the main crossing
points on the Mississippi River (Sage, 139).
23"The Society of Friends (Quakers) provided much of the antislavery leadership...and was part of the
religious antislavery movement which began in the 1700s in America. (National Park Service, "Part I. Historic
Context for the Underground Railroad," 3 [context printed 5/11/1999 from interact site
http://www. cr. nps. gov/history/exugrr/exuggr2. htm]).
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Bethel A.M.E. Church, Johnson County, IA
opposed both the institution itself as .well as its extension into new territories.24 The
intellectual climate, abolitionist sentiments, and educational setting that attracted northerners
to Iowa towns like Tabor,2s Grinnell, and Iowa City' may have also attracted the founders of
the Bethel A.M.E. Church who, if following Richard Allen's guidelines, placed a high value
on education.
If the antebellum years saw a steady stream of blacks take up permanent residence in
Iowa,26 the stream slowed immediately following the Civil War and then picked up again after
24 Leonard Parker, for cxamp!c, was one such person. Educated at Ohio's Oberlin College, well known for
its strong abolitionist bent, Parker planned tO move to Kansas to find a teaching job, though both Tabor, Iowa,
and Cn-inncll, Iowa, had been recommended to him (J.A. Swisher, Leonard Fletcher Parker [Iowa City: State
Univ. of Iowa, 1927], 45). *In i856 Kansas was the focus of various forces...Men from Missouri had invaded
the Territory, seized the government, and imposed a code of Missouri upon the settlers. New England was
eager to save the region for freedom; while South Carolina and Georgia wCre ablaze to make Kansas an
uncompromising slave State...Lawrence was a plucky New England town, and Mr. Parker reasoned that it must
be an education center. The location, he decided, was worth trying" ([bid., 43). However, Kansas was
increasingly a dangerous place and Parker left Lawrence before it was sacked by South Carolinians and other
Southerners ([bid., 45), After a break in the East, Parker once again set out to find a likely place to teach.
Traveling by rail to it terminus at Iowa City, Parker spent time on the State University campus before taking a
stage on to Grinnell. (Parker typescript, 20, collection of SHSI). Parker's wife, Sarah C. Pearse Parker, also an
Oberlin graduate, repeated this journey through Iowa City to Grinnell a few months later. In 1870, Professor
Leonard Parker left Grinnell College, returning to Iowa City to teach at the State University (Swisher, 123).
25Tabor College was founded in 1857 in the southwest Iowa town of Tabor and aspired to be the "Oberlin of
the West." The town served as an arms depot for "Eastern crusaders [headed for Kansas who] came directly
across Iowa, usually along a route designed by William Penn Clarke, the Iowa City Abolitionist, to avoid
contacts with pro-slavery Missouriarts" (Sage, 138).
26 Though always a minustale percent of the white population.
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1870. Leola Nelson Bergmann listed.the following census figures for one hundred
years of African Americans in Iowa:27 '
1840 .....188 1900 .....12,693
1850 .....333 1910 .....14.973
1860 .....1.069 1920 .....19o005
1870 .....5,762 1930 .....17,380
1880 .....9,516 1940 .....16,694
1890 .....10,685
Bergmann found that in 1870 (she has no figures for 1860) "the majority of Negroes living in
Iowa were born in Missouri,"28 indicating that simple geographic proximity dominated the
migration pattern of freedpersons into Iowa immediately following the war. This was not the
pattern for Iowa City or Johnson County, either in 1860 or in 1870.
The majority of black residents in Johnson County in both 1860'and 1870 lived in
Iowa City. In 1860 half of the county's 22 black inhabitants had been born in the slave states
of South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia and Tennessge.29 The other half were born in Delaware,
Ohio, Pennsylvania or Iowa. All of the Iowa natives were children under the age of 10. The
birthplace state contributing the greatest single number to the county's total was Cvoorgia (5),
though Iowa and Ohio followed with 4 each. By 1870, there were 89 African Americans in
Johnson Cotrely, a 400% increase over the pre-war census yet still a tiny figure relative to the
town's total population of close to 8100. By far, the largest group was the native-born Iowans
(37 or nearly 42%). Trailing well behind in nativity were Virginia (10) and Tennessee (7).
For those 1870 Johnson County residents who were not native Iowans, most were born in 13
27Bergmann, 34.
~Ibid., 32.
"Close examination of the manuscript pages for the 1860 census indicates one 8-person family was counted
twice (Bell/Rele). This anomaly leads to an erroneous total population figure of 30. The lower figure, 22, has
been used herein. (Possible reasons for the same census-taker counting the a same memorable family twice are
intriguing but not relevant to this nomination.)
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southern slave-holding states?° Only .three people had been born in two northern states.an
These data suggest that escaped or manumitted African Americans from slave-holding states
arrived in Iowa City earlier than in most of the state and established families a generation
before the state in general.s2 The numbers also suggest Iowa City was an attractive northern
town for southern blacks both before and after the Civil. War, and they hint at a loose form of
chain migration, especially from Virginia and Tennessee.
It is impossible to be certain what attraction Iowa City held for African Americans of
the Civil War era. It was northern and like Iowa in general was anti-slavery, but this is far
from being unbiased or without prejudices. Iowa also had an early territorial history of
southern settlers and racist attitudes. Also, with northern European immigrants streaming into
the state after the 1840s, cheap-labor jobs were taken and competition from free blacks was
unwelcome.as In fact, Robert Dykstra claimed "it can be argued that Iowa was the most racist
free state in the antebellum Union," developing a "black code" of restrictive legislation
between 1838 and 1858 that took twenty years to disman~e?4
While nineteenth-century sources are not plentiful on the subject, Iowa City's white
(and largely Yankee) majority apparently often had hostile or at least unfavorable attitudes
toward new arrivals. In 1865 AfriCan American and European immigrants were held in-equal
disdain by one. young college student who wrote home to his sister. In his letter, Milton
Mowrer described Iowa City as a filthy town full of foul odors, .with a large population of
"the lowest Bohemian emigrants." "Negroes," Milton wrote, "can be seen in all '
~The states and number of native-born individuals were: South Carolina (l), Georgia (4), Virginia (10),
Tennessee (7), Louisiana (1), North Carolina (5), West Virginia (1), Arkansas (5), Alabama (7), Mississippi (5),
Kentuoky (1), Missouri (1), Maryland (10). The total numbor of individuals from Southern states was 49.
3'Pennsylvania (1) and Illinois (2).
32It is likely other individual towns such as Muscatine and other river ports also had early black residents
who established families in Iowa before the Civil War. See for example, the story of Muscatine resident
Alexander Clark (1826-1891) in Jackson, pp 43-52.
3~Bergmann, 16.
uDestruction of this code coincided with the "ascendancy of Iowa's Republican party--which, beginning in
1854 as an Anti-Nebraska coalition of Free Sollets and Whigs, dominated Iowa as thoroughly as the Democrats
had ruled it before that date." Robert Dykstra, "lowarts and the Politics of Race in America, 1857-1880," pp.
129-158. In Iowa History Reader. edited by Marvin Bergman, ( Iowa City: Iowa State University Press, 1996),
131.
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parts of town."sS A decade later, newspaper accounts of an August, 1874 camp meeting
sponsored by the Bethel Church and held in Berryhill's Grove near the church ranged in tone
from generally favorable to downright nasty. One editor noted the meeting's general success
at drawing throngs of African Americans from out of town. Another, concluded the camp
meeting failed miserably and remarked that "[r]egular work is better than camp meetings for
those people.''s6
The ability to find and survive on such "regular work" was one of the difficulties for
African Americans in this small midwestern town. Census records from 1860 and-1870 reflect
that occupations available to black men and women were mostly restricted to unskilled and
low paying positions. Married women generally stayed home, especially in 1870, but single
women listed in these two censuses supported themselves as a cook, a seamstress, and a
servant. Adult men in 1860 worked as a teamster, a barber, and a cook.s7 Z[rt 1870, day
laborers and farm help dominated the types of jobs held by adult black men. One skilled
~sQuoted from research notes compiled by Leslie Schwalm, associate professor of history, University of
Iowa. The original letter is contained within the Ellen Mowrer Miller Collection at the Iowa Women's Archives,
housed at the University of Iowa. Interestingly, Milton Mowrer says he attended the 'Negro class room in the
M.I~. Church" where there was a "white Class Leader." This would indicate the local white Methodist Episcopal
Church admitted African Americans if only on a segregated basis. Refer to Clarence E. Walker's discussion of
the competition for black souls between the various missionary churches, north and south, during the Civil War
and Reconstruction.
~I'he Daily Press, and the Iowa City Republican, respectively.
37Henxy Rele in 1860 is listed as a farmer with real estate valued at $1000, but he is the head of the 8-
person household that was counted twice. See footnote 29. The Rele family listing is likely the more bogus
listing of the two, although it is impossible to decipher a completely accurate census portrait of this family. Hal
Bell, the adult male of the other 8-person family declared $250 in personal property and was a teamster,
Descendants of the Bell family persist in later censuses and, indeed, remain in Iowa City to this day.
Throughout much of the twentieth century the family (Bell/Short) owned and operated a downtown shoe repair
and shine business and managed land holdings in and around Iowa City. Having arrived in the state as early as
1858, the family is truly the premier African American pioneer family in Iowa City. Interestingly, members
have traditionally belonged to the First Presbyterian Church, not the Bethel A.M.E- Church, perhaps because
they established themselves in town long before Bethel was built. Twentieth century University of Iowa
students who studied the town's black community during different decades found the Bell/Short family to be
very successful. Because their business success hinged on the patronage of the white townspeople around them,
however, the family did not actively associate with Iowa City's much smaller African American community.
See John R. Crist, "The Negro in Iowa City, Iowa: A Study in Negro Leadership and Racial Accommodation,"
unpubl. M.A. thesis, State University of Iowa, 1945 [Crist, a sociology student, did not name his subjects, but
the Bell/Short family is easily discerned among his interviewees.].
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worker, a brick mason, and one tenant farmer were counted. In 1918, a graduate student in
sociology at the state university in tom claimed that "the average weekly income of the
white unskilled workman [in Iowa City] is fifteen dollars, that .of the black man is somewhere
between ten dollars and twelve dollars." He concluded "the colored workman, then, far from
being prosperous is having a tremendous struggle to keep himself from being submerged by
poverty. If the Negroes of Iowa City have managed to keep out of the poor house, it is
because their capacity for making personal sacrifices is greater than that of the white man.''aS
Just .as black women and men were restricted to the lower paying jobs in town,
sometimes housing for their families was meager as well. Figure 2 is a historic photograph
taken by Bertha Shambaugh, a .local photographer who did most of her work in the 1890s.
The photograph shows a middle age couple standing before the door of the small house they
inhabit. Most of the roof has been ripped off, apparently by a storm. Even if the storm
damage seen in the photograph was .eventually repaired, the house and its surroundings are
still clearly miserable. The location of the house has been identified by one local historian
and photographer as near the Iowa River in "the Bottom" implying some sort of soggy, insect
ridden, flood prone area of town?9 There is also evidence that over the years--perhaps in
response to a slowly growing number of black students at the State University and permanent
black residents--a de facto physical separation of blacks and whites in Iowa City developed
during the twentieth century?
Early in the century, in 1918, Gabriel Victor Cools claimed "the Negro population of
the city is scattered all over the community...In no instance are there more than two families
living on the same street, and even then they are so widely separated that there is no close
~G.V. Cools, "The Negro in Typical Communities in Iowa" (unpubl. M.A. thesis, State University of Iowa,
1918), 134.'
39Gerald Mansheim, Iowa City, An Illustrated History (Norfolk, VA: The Donnong Company, 1989), 94.
4°There is oral tradition associated with the Bethel church that in 1868 trustees of the new church were
required because of their race to build outside of the Original Town plat. (See, for example, Irving Weber, Iow.a.
City [199011: 49). This tradition is not supported by the physical evidence, archival records, or historic maps
relating to the town's development. True, the church is located just outside the Original Town's southern border,
but when the church was constructed there had already been a decade of industrial and residential development
even farther south, prompted by the construction of the railroad through town in the 1850s. By 1868, the lot on
which the new church was constructed was ringed by earlier platted additions to Iowa City. It seems unlikely
that the church and the development to its south were all 'outside the city limits.' For a list of filing dates of
plat additions to Iowa City and copies of historic maps showing their locations see Naumarm, n.p. (but E-5
within the report Multiple Property Documentation Form).
Nl~Fom~ lO-gOO~m 4::~48 Aoo,~-dNo FO24--OOfe.
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Bethel A.M.E. Church, Johnson County, IA
""*"'~";' ~~';"~' "': .... '~';"' f "" :a': ';,"" ~ ~
;~' . ~,'- ,..
F. ','. · ~ ~- ~....t.. ~..~_.:.- .. .... .. ~:..:.-;:.' .~:" '; ""' :;ii.:;:.[':-:"::.!':~ ......- .,..'
.,. :.. ~.':;' '- .-'.. .-'.~.:.:'.-~...~ } :--. :~".: ....:_'-'-.;I'~. I,'i ,: .: -'.--;
./
.-
FIGURE 2. Middle-age couple standing before a storm damaged residence, probably 1890s.
(Bertha Shambaugh photograph).
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Bethel A.M.E. Church, Johnson County, IA
contact between them. The Negroes all live in desirable localities, side by side with whites."
Cool theorized that this situation "is typical of [the]condition as it exists in communities in
which the Negro population is small." He described a community of black residents which in
1918 may have been even more isolated than it was in 1870 shortly after the Bethel church
opened its doors. Based on 1870 census manuscript data (in which the order of enumeration
can be determined but not the address of each person) and an 1868 city directory (in which
proximity to the nearest street intersection is noted), African Americans around 1870 were
pretty well dispersed throughout the city just as Cool found nearly 50 years later. The
exception to this, however, was in the Fourth Ward where the' Bethel A.M.E. Church and a
cluster of black households were located. Thirty-three out of 89 or 37% of the city's black
residents in 1870 lived in the Fourth Ward. Eight of these Fourth Ward families consisting of
26 people lived less than a block from the church, many side-by-side or backyard neighbors
to it. The isolation Cool found at the end of World War I years could reflect a reduction in
the towns's black community as some individuals undoubtedly left for war production jobs in
larger cities like Chicago, Des Moines, or even Cedar Rapids?
During the Depression, in 1933, a study of black student housing in Iowa City found that the
State University discouraged African Americans from living in campus dormitories, leaving
the 58 students to find their own approved off-campus arrangements? Most men lived in
two black fraternities which were not a part of the larger campus fraternity system and,
according to Herbert Crawford Jenkins, "suffered from "the lack of a house mother's
supervision."4s One fraternity was located "just outside the restricted zone for living quarters
of University students...on the edge of the business district in not what could be called an
ideal residential neighborhood. The second house is located in that part of the city known as
'the other side of the tracks' which is generally considered to be among the less desirable
places to live."44 About half the black women students, or six individual.s, lived in a house
owned by the Iowa Federation of Colored Women's Clubs, a statewide organization formed in
4tCool noted that overall the larger cities in Iowa saw increases in their African American populations
because new workers were needed to fill the jobs vacated by whites in the service (Cool, 7).
42Herbert Crawford Jenkins, "The Negro Student at the University of Iowa: A Sociological Study,"
unpublished M.A. thesis, State University of Iowa, 1933.
4~Ibid., 20.
*~Jenkins, 18. The Kappa Alpha Psi house was at 301 S. Dubuque; the Alpha Phi Alpha house at 230 S.
Capitol. Both are near the edge of the business district and too close in proximity to safely determine without
more research which one was on the "wrong side of the tracks."
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National 'Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 8 Page 16
Bethel A.M.E. Church, Johnson County, IA
1901. Though no Federation chapter existed in Iowa City, the home was "sponsore~l by
Negro Women's Clubs of Iowa to assist the Negro girls who are in attendance in Iowa State
University.''4s The house was "in a neighborhood of neat and attractive homes," according to
Jenkins, about nine blocks from campus.46 The rest of the students lived with "private colored
families." Avery few lived alone in an apartment (3 men) or roomed and worked for white
families (3 women)fl
Records and various scholarly studies indicate that well into the twentieth-century
African Americans were restricted from patronizing the town's restaurants, hotels; and rental
apartments. One of the local dress shops willingly sold clothes to blacks women but would
not let them .try on the dress first. No white barber would cut or style African Americans' hair
during regular business hours, forcing many to travel to Cedar Rapids, a larger town 30 miles
north, or come in after hours. Housing was generally restricted Racial tensions between the
always tiny black population and the greater community were perceived to be increasing as
the twentieth century moved toward the Civil Rights era of the 1950s and 60s.4s Within this
environment the Bethel A.M.E. Church stood, a ready venue for members of the religious and
social community that relied on it.
BETHEL A.M.E. CHURCH IN IOWA CITY
For its members, the A.M.E. Church in Iowa City was both a building and the
community of worshippers gathered within it. Church documents do not record the initial
circumstances of its establishment beyond its founders' names but land for the building was
purchased by one of them, James W. Howard, early in the spring of 1868. The lot was
located within a newly platted addition to the town owned by Charles H. Berryhill, a long-
4sProceedings of Iowa Federation of Colored Women's Clubs, Thirty-third and Thirty-fourth Annual
Sessions 1934-35 (no publisher), 17. [Collection of Bethel A.M.E. Church.l
46Ibid., 18.
'TIbid., 19.
'sin addition to Cools (1918) and Jenkins (1933), see especially John R. Crist "The Negro of Iowa City,
Iowa: A Study in Negro Leadership and Racial Accommodation," (unpubl. MA thesis, State University of Iowa,
1945).
United States Department of the Interior
Natiorfal Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
,Section number 8 Page 17
Bethel A.M.E. Church, Johnson County, IA
time Iowa City resident and somewhat infamous land speculator.49 Berryhill, a native of
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, arrived in the area in 1838, a year before Iowa City was rounded.
According to his 1874 obituary, Berryhill was a "frontiersman" who "when most of our 'old
settlers' came [was] found... young, active, speaking the Indian language and in...trade laying
the broad foundation of that fortune which in the various enterprises of his after life
contributed so largely to the business prosperity of out city."5° Johnson County and Iowa City
land records are replete with Berryhill's name and he frequently bought, sold and developed
land. He platted his second addition to Iowa City in 1866fi Two years later Howard
purchased a lot from him. Just ten days after that, Howard and his wife Rebecca Howard
sold the south half of-that Lot 19 to the trustees of the "First African Methodist Ep[--]
Church" for $50. Within this same record the church is also called the "first African
Methodist Church." So much for precision in frontier legal records. The purchasers on behalf
of the church organization included: Boston Clay, James W.Howard, and [hard to read but
likely Henry] Boon, as trustees of the church.52
James Howard, an African American born in Virginia, was 35 years old in 1868. His
wife Rebecca was 39 and bom in Pennsylvania; :they had no children. Unable to read, both
left their mark on the deed that transferred the half lot to the Church Trustees. The second
trustee, 53-year-old Boston Clay was born in Alabama. His wife, Anna Clay, 23, was also
born in Alabama. They had three children~ all born in Iowa, the eldest of whom was six.
This family apparently arered in Iowa by at least 1864. Both Boston and Anna Clay 'were
'~Jolmson County Recorder, Deed Record Book 27, Page 536. The deed reads: Know all men by these ....
that we Charles H. Berryhill and Eliza G. Berryhill husband and wife of Johnson County, State of Iowa, in
consideration of the sum of Three hundred and fifty dollars in hand paid by James F. Howard of Johnson
County, State of Iowa, do hereby sell and convey unto the same James W. Howard the following described
premises situated in the County of Johnson, within the State of Iowa, to wit: Lot number nineteen (19) in Block
number one (1) in Charles H. BerryhillY Second (2nd) Addition to Iowa City so designated on the Recorders
Plat of said Addition to Iowa City and we do hereby covenant with the saM James FF. Howard that we are
lawfully seized of said premises; that they are free from incumbrances; that we have good right and lawful
authority to sell the same; and we do hereby covenant to warrant and defend the said premises against the
lawful claims of all .... whomsoever, and the said Eliza G. Berryhill hereby relinquishes her right of dower in
and to said premises. In witness whereof we have hereto set our hands and seals this 271h day of March A .D.
1868. The deed was recorded on April 2, 1868.
5°"In Memoriam," [Iowa City] Daily Press, 06/01/1874.
~JJohnson County Recorder, Deed Record Book 28, Page 293.
52Johnson County Recorder, Deed Record Book 27, Page 539.
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 8 Page 18
Bethel A.M.E. Church, Johnson County, IA
literate. The final Church trustee, Henry Boon, was also 53, and born in North Carolina.
Minnie Boon, his wife, was 29, from Mississippi. Neither could read or write. The Boons
had two children, all bom in Iowa, the eldest of whom was six. Again, this family appears to
be in Iowa by 1864.53 All of the men listed their occupation as "day laborer" according to the
1870 ~census. Except for one individual, therefore, all of the adult fotmding family members
of the Bethel Church were of southern origins.
Church records list the initial spiritual leader for the new congregation as "Bishop
Shorter, minister," but 'Shorter is .apparently. not found within the 1870 census of Iowa City.54
Shorter's function is either taken over or augmented by "Exhorters" for the church from 1868
to 1889. In the long line of church leaders, there is no other "Bishop." Rather, the title
consistently used is "Reverend." The brevity of Shorter's tenure and lack of information
about him may indicate he was not a permanent resident of Iowa City or Johnson County, but
rather a missionary organizer for the greater A.M.E. Church generally. James W. Shorter was
a "trailblazing" missionary Bishop for the church whose activities included Texas.55 While
there is no evidence at this point beyond the shared sumame to indicate the Texas trailblazer
was the 1868 Iowa City church leader, the presence of the only Bishop-level leader named
Shorter at the inaugural year of the church is evocative.
Over the years the numbers of individual-members and families who artended Bethel
A.M.E. Church varied. Church records are sketchy,-but membership just before World War I,
when Rev. B.F. Hubbard was pastor, hovered at peak levels around 40. This number was
. again achieved in the . mid-!920s when the members both suffered through the fire damage to
their church and celebrated its renovation and installation of modem plumbing and heating
systems. Church attendance again declined during the Great DepreSsion of the 1930s to half
the peak number and then declined even more, perhaps because working'African American
s~AI! biographical data are taken from the manuscript pages of the 1870 federal census.
s'Unfortunately, the census page for Scott Township, where a "Friends Meeting House" may have been
located, is unreadable beyond a tantalizing possibility of a three-p~rson black family with a last name that could
be Shorter. The location of the Quaker building is noted on Topographical Map of Johnson County (Davenport:
Iowa Publishing Company, 1906).
"Charles Spencer Smith, A History of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (Philadelphia, 1922. Reprint
Johnson Reprint Corporation, no date), 71.
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
.Section number 8,9 Page 19
Bethel A.M.E. Church, Johnson County, IA
residents left town in search of jobs in bigger cities.s6 In 1933, a graduate student ~tudying
African American students at the university for his thesis remarked on the lack of college
students attending the A.M.E. Church. Though there were 58 black students at the time,
"none, even among those who claimed residence in Iowa City, were members of the local
A.M.E. church."sT After holding on through the post-Wo~d War II years, the church today is
growing and its membership may be near 50 or 60. Ironically, with the renewed vigor of the
African American community's commitment to the church, comes the stress of worshiping in
a historic building that suddenly seems far too small.
9. MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES
Bergmann, Leola Nelson. The Negro in Iowa. Des Moines: State Historical Society of Iowa,
1948, reprinted 1969.
"Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Iowa City, Iowa, 1271h Anniversary
Celebration." Collection of Bethel A.M.E. Church, 1995.
Church Records, edited by Francine Thompson and Diana Bryant. Collection of Bethel
A.M.E. Church, various formats and dates.
seEhe name of one promi.ent church member appears on the rolls during this period. Helen. Lemme, _a
community activist after whom a local elementary school is named, arrived in Iowa City from Grinnell around
1929 to attend the university. She married a local man, Allyn Lemme, who worked at the only black-owned
and run business of any substance in town, Short's shoe shop. Mr. Lemme's name does not appear on the rolls
of Bethel Church. A biography of Helen Lemme has been compiled and is available at the library of Helen
Lemme 'School in Iowa City. See also "Case 5" at pp. 78-80 of Crist's 1945 thesis.
sT Jenkins, 13. The historic role of college students in the community and their decision to attend the A.M.E.
Church or another (likely white) church in Iowa City remains a question for future study. Local records and
primary evidence indicate that the traditional "town and gown" division that often separates university students
from permanent residents may have persisted within the African American community as well. Very real
differences in the white and Mrican American populations existed, however, and need to be studied. Perhaps
the most basic difference is that the number of blacks living in Iowa City at any one time was a tiny percentage
of the town's total population. Expectations that under such conditions blacks would naturally congregate
together for a sense of belonging and social interaction must be viewed within concepts of class that divide
some African Americans themselves. In the years before World War II and the GI Bill, students may have been
viewed as elitist and coming from an upper class, especially by local residents historically limited by racial
discrimination to the lowest ranks of employment.
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 9 Page 2 0
Beffiel A.M_.E. Church, Johnson Counb/, IA
Cools, Gabriel Victor. "The Negro in Typical Communities of Iowa." Unpubl. M.X. Thesis,
State University of Iowa, 1918.
Crawford, Herbert Jenkins. "The Negro Student at the University of Iowa: A Sociological
Study." Unpubl. M.A. Thesis, State University of Iowa, 1933.
Crist, John R. "The Negro of lowa City: A Study in Negro Leadership and Racial
Accommodation." Unpubl. M.A. Thesis, State University of Iowa, 1945.
Donnegan, Lottie. "First History of the A.M.F.. Church." Handwritten m.s., 1937. Collection
of Bethel A.M.E. Church.
Dykstra, Robert. "lowarts and the Politics of Race in America, 1857-1880," pp. 129-158. l__n
Iowa History Reader, edited by Marvin Bergman. I0wa City: Iowa State University
Press, 1996.
"Fire Makes Three Efforts to Raze Home." Iowa City Press-Citizen, 02/11/1924.
Franklin, John Hope. From Slavery to Freedom: A History of Negro Americans. New York:
Alfred A. Knopf, 1967.
Goodall, Elisabeta, Paul Diebold, Iris Yateman. "Bethel A.M.E. Church" [Indianapolis,
Indiana]. National Register of Historic Places registration form, 1991.
t
"In Memoriam? [Iowa City] Daily Press. 06/01/1874. C.H. Berryhill's obituary.
Johnson County Records
Recorder's Office, Deed Record Books.
Johnson County Auditor's Office, Land Transfer Books.
Johnson, Richard, Trustee. "Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church" [Reading,
Pennsylvania]. National Register of Historic Places inventory°nomination form, 1979.
Johnstone, Janerie. "St. James AME Zion Church" [Ithaca, New York]. National Register of
Historic Places inventory-nomination form, 1982.
Litwack, Leon F. North of Slavery: The Negro in the Free States. 1790-1860. Chicago: The
University of Chicago Press, 1961.
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number q Page ~ ~
Bethel A.M.E. Church, Johnson County, IA
Mansheim, Gerald. Iowa City. An Illustrated History. Norfolk, VA: The Donning ~ompany,
1989.
Payne, Daniel A. History of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Nashville: Publishing
House of the A.M.E. Sunday School Union, 1891. Reprinted by the Johnson Reprint
Corporation, New York, 1968.
Proceedings of Iowa Federation of Colored Women's Clubs. 33 and 341h Annual Sessions,
1934-35. Collection of Bethel A.M.E. Church.
Research Notes, Leslie Schwalm, from the collections at the Iowa Women's Archives.
Untitled note. [Iowa City] Daily Press, 08/11/1874. Contains a note about "colored Methodist
camp meeting" to be held in "Berryhill's grove."
Unfitled note. [Iowa City] Daily Press, 08/15/1874. Contains a note about the "camp meeting
conducted by the colored Methodists of this city."
Untitled note. Iowa City Republican, 08/19/1874. Contains a note about the "failure" of the
"colored camp meeting."
U.S. Census, Johnson County manuscript census records, 1860; 1870.
Smith, Hazel. "The Negro Church in Iowa." Unpubl. M.A. Thesis, State University of Iowa,
1926.
Smith, James H. Vital Facts Conceming the African Methodist EpiscoPal Church. No publ.,
1939. Collection of Bethel A.M.E. Church.
"The Camp Meeting." [Iowa City] Daily Press, 08/17/1877. Discusses success of camp
meeting.
"Three Fires Mark Sunday in Iowa City." Iowa City Press-Citizen, 05/07/1923.
Walker, Clarence E. A Rock in A Weary Land: The African Methodist Episcopal Church
During the Civil War and Reconstruction. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University
Press, 1982.
United States Department of the Interior ,o
National Park Service
National Register 'of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 10 Page 2 2
Bethel A.M.E. Church, Johnson County, IA
10. GEOGRAPHICAL DATA
Verbal Boundary Description
The property is defined as the south 1/2 of Lot 19, Block 1, C.H. Berryhill's 2nd Addition to
Iowa City.
Boundary Justification
The nomination property includes the entire parcel historically associated with the Bethel
A.M.E. Church.
NI~ F,x~m IO-I(:X)-~ 0A48 A~f~n~w NO t(~4-COf8
United States Depa~ment of the Interior
National Pa~ Seaice
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Additional Doc~entation
S~tionnum~r Page ~5
Beffiel A.M.'E. ~m~h, ~son Co~,
BUILDING LOCATION. (source :USWost)
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Map Key '
DEER MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
ICURRENT I
Staff: Lisa Mollenhauer
Misha Goodman-Herbst
Ron Fort (also served as "hunter" rep)
Gardener: Nancy Seiberling
Coralville Resident: Judy Rhodes
Coralville Staff: Scott Larson (did not participate in 1999)
Resident with Deer Damage: Bud Louis
Animal Welfare: Pat Farrant
Jan Ashman
Nongovernment Conservation: Loren Forbes
Doug Jones
Biologist/Scientist: Steve Hendrix
Board of Supervisors: Charlie Duffy
RECOMMENDED I
Resident with Deer Damage: vacant
Coralville Resident: Judy Rhodes
Animal Welfare: Pat Farrant
Jan Ashman
Nongovernment Conservation: Doug Jones
Biologist/Scientist: Steve Hendrix
Fringe Area Resident (NEW): vacant
Master Gardener (NEW): vacant
Hunter (NEW): vacant
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
TO: City Council
FROM: City Manager
DATE: May 2, 2000
RE: Upcoming Events
1. Sunday, May 7 8:00 am - 1:00 pm Crisis Center Breakfast
2. Thursday, May 11 4:00 pm Airport Terminal Open House
3. Saturday, May 13 11:00 am Soccer Fields - South Water
Plant, New Concession Stands
4. Thursday, June I 5:30 pm Dedicate new theatre at City
Park
cc: Department Directors
Interested in Serving on the
AD-HOC IOWA CITY DEER MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE?
What positions are available?
· One Vacancy - Two-Year Term (Hunter)
· One Vacancy - Two-Year Term (At-Large)
· One Vacacy - Three-Year Term (Master Gardener)
· One Vacancy - Three-Year Term (At-Large)
What are the responsibilities of the Committee? To annually recommend to the City Council
an updated Deer Management Plan that meets the goals of the Long-Term Plan. To that
end, members should review data (population count, deer-vehicle accidents, reflector
effectiveness, previously-implemented population control programs, herd health), review
current and recommend future educational tools, review and consider all non-lethal and
lethal management methods and recommend appropriate action.
Terms expire on March 1. The Committee meeting day and time is yet to be determined.
Persons interested in being considered should contact the City Manager's Office (356-5010)
at the Civic Center, 410 E. Washington Street to receive an application. Deadline to submit
applications is May 10. Council will make appointments at their May 15 Work Session.
5/2/00
Driver of the Year Award 2000
Environmental Industry Association
National Award Winner
Public Sector Category
Ernest Dennis, City of Iowa City Solid Waste Division employee
Nominated by:
Rodney Walls, Asst. Superintendent of Solid Waste, City of Iowa City
The City of Iowa City Solid Waste Division is fortunate to have a dedicated employee like Ernest Dennis.
Mr. Dennis displays a positive attitude about his work with little complaint. He is always willing to
explain policy and procedure and answer any questions the public asks. He has been employed with the
City of Iowa City Solid Waste Division since July of 1981.
Ernie has been a great asset to this division. He started as a Refuse truck driver for his first three years.
He then advanced to driving a one-ton truck, collecting bulky items and appliances for eight years. In
1992 recycling was implemented in Iowa City and Emie was promoted to Maintenance Worker II, driving
a recycling truck.
Many compliments have been received regarding the service Ernie provides to his customers. He takes
pride in doing a good job and taking care of the people on his daily route. In the 1980's Ernie was
presented an award by the City Manager for outstanding service to the public. Each week he provides a
carryout service to 35 of his elderly and handicapped residents by collecting their recycling directly from
their porch or garage.
Ernie's dedication to his position at the City of Iowa City is evident in more that one area. Safety has
always been a number one priority for Ernie. In 1997 he received an award for 15 years of injury free
work. To date, he has completed his 18th year of injury free work. We commend Ernie for his
outstanding safety record. Errtie is an extremely reliable employee and this is clearly demonstrated by
the number of unused sick leave and vacation hours he has accumulated. Currently, Ernie has 1440 or the
maximum number of sick leave hours possible. He has converted sick leave hours to vacation under the
City' s sick leave incentive program many times. In addition, Ernie has 238 hours of vacation available.
Dedication to his family is another major priority for Ernie. He has been married to his wife, Sandra, for
21 years. In 1980, Ernie and Sandra took in Sandra's two brothers and three sisters and raised them. Two
of these children were teenagers and the rest were grade school age children. Ernie and Sandra put a lot
of time and energy into these children and raised them as if they were their own.
Emie was raised in Des Moines, Iowa. He is a graduate of Des Moines Tech high school. He attended
college at the University of Iowa for two years. Emie was certified as an EMT from 1997 to 1999. Ernie
has made an effort all his life to take care of those around him.
Community service is an area where Ernie has displayed leadership and dedication to his fellow man.
Ernie has been very active in the Jehovah Witness Kingdom Hall. Beginning in 1980 he started donating
his time once a month, from April to July, helping to build new Kingdom Halls. From 1987-1994 Ernie
donated 1000 hours a year in public ministry. He has been treasurer of accounts for 10 Kingdom Halls
since 1988. He is involved with the youth activities at the Hall. Ernie also provides family counseling to
the congregation. Once a week Ernie makes time to visit members of the congregation who are
hospitalized. He goes a step further and arranges food and lodging for family members of those who are
ill, if necessary.
All of this information comes together to create a clear picture of a winner. Mr. Dennis is a kind and
considerate person whose actions define an outstanding individual. There is not a more dedicated or loyal
employee at the City of Iowa City. Ernie deserves to be commended for the time and energy he has spent
volunteering to help others, for helping to make this a better world, and for his dedication to his work.
We are proud to present Emie, as Iowa City's finest!