HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-08-18 Info Packet_ i
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CITY OF IOWA CITY
www.icgov.org
CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION PACKET
MISCELLANEOUS
August 18, 2011
IP1 Council Meetings and Work Session Agenda
IP2 Joint Meeting Agenda: August 24, 2011
IP3 Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee & Johnson County Board of Supervisors joint
meeting minutes - July 6, 2011
IP4 Letter from Mediacom: All digital TV channels and digital adapters
IP5 Copy from the City Manager: What's the Future of Local Government? — An Alliance
White Paper Intended to Provoke a Needed Conversation
IP6 Memo from Fire Chief: Badge Pinning Ceremony
IP7 The Planner — August 2011
IP8 News Release: Community Meeting For The Taft Speedway Flood Mitigation Study
DRAFT MINUTES
IP9 Board of Appeals: August 12, 2011
IP10 Senior Center Commission: July 21, 2011
�` `"�h City Council Meeting Schedule and
CITY OF IOWA CITY Work Session Agendas August 18, 2011
www.icgov.org
♦ WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24 separate agenda posted New Council Chambers
4:00p Reception 1 Quail Creek Circle
4:30p Joint Meeting North Liberty
TENTATIVE MEETING SCHEDULE
SUBJECT TO CHANGE
♦ MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5
Holiday — City Offices Closed
♦ TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
Emma J. Harvat Hall
5:30p Special Work Session
7:00p Regular Formal Council Meeting
♦ MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
Emma J. Harvat Hall
5:30p Regular Work Session
♦ TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
Emma J. Harvat Hall
7:00p Regular Formal Council Meeting
♦ MONDAY, OCTOBER 3
Emma J. Harvat Hall
5:30p Regular Work Session
♦ TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4
Emma J. Harvat Hall
7:00p Regular Formal Council Meeting
♦ MONDAY, OCTOBER 17
Emma J. Harvat Hall
5:30p Regular Work Session
♦ TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18
Emma J. Harvat Hall
7:00p Regular Formal Council Meeting
♦ TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1
Emma J. Harvat Hall
5:30p Special Work Session
7:00p Regular Formal Council Meeting
♦ MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21
Emma J. Harvat Hall
5:30p Special Work Session
♦ TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22
Emma J. Harvat Hall
7:00p Special Formal Council Meeting
♦ TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29 Beckwith Boathouse
1:00p -5:00p Special Work Session — Strategic Planning Session Terrill Mill Park
5:00p -7:00p Orientation (current and incoming Council)
i`i City Council Meeting Schedule and
CITY OF IOWA CITY Work Session Agendas August 18, 2011
www.icgov.org
♦ MONDAY, DECEMBERS Emma J. Harvat Hall
2:00p -5:30p Special Work Session — Strategic Planning Session
5:30P Regular Work Session
♦ TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6 Emma J. Harvat Hall
7:00p Regular Formal Council Meeting
IP2
joint Meeting
Johnson County Board of Supervisors
City of Iowa City
City of Coralville
City of North Liberty
City of Tiffin
Iowa City Community School Board
Clear Creek Amana Community School Board
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
North Liberty Council Chambers
1 Quail Creek Circle
Reception 4:00 p.m.
Meeting 4:30 p.m.
AGENDA
1. Introductions
2. Letter campaign regarding legislation affecting MPO of Johnson County (Johnson
County)
3. Tax impacts of apartment buildings becoming co -ops (Johnson County)
4. Update on Justice Center projects and options for 2012 referendum (Johnson County)
5. Brief update on the beginning of the school year (ICCSD)
6. Borlaug boundary update (ICCSD)
7. North Dodge facility update (ICCSD)
8. North Liberty Sustainability Plan Kick Off Event - Taste of North Liberty (North
Liberty)
9. General Entity Updates.
10. Next Meeting Date and Time.
11. Adjourn.
IP3
MINUTES OF THE JOINT INFORMAL MEETING OF JOHNSON COUNTY
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE COORDINATING
COMMITTEE:
JULY 6, 2011
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Report from Alternatives and Treatments Subcommittee ................................. ............................... i
JailAlternative Program ........................................................................ ..............................1
Report from Public Information /Outreach Subcommittee ................................. ..............................2
Report from Facilities Subcommittee ................................................................. ..............................2
Letter to General Services Administration Regarding Property South of the Courthouse..2
Request for Qualifications for Pre - Schematic and Final Architectural and Engineering
Design............................................................................................. ..............................3
Report from Funding/Grants Subcommittee ...................................................... ..............................7
Additional Comments from Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee Members ..........................8
SetNext Meeting Date ....................................................................................... ..............................9
Chairperson Harney called the Johnson County Board of Supervisors to order in the
Johnson County Health and Human Services Building at 4:31 p.m. Members present
were: Pat Harney, Terrence Neuzil, Janelle Rettig, Sally Stutsman, and Rod Sullivan.
Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee Members present were: Department of
Corrections Supervisor Jerri Allen, MECCA Director Ron Berg, Iowa City City Council
Member Connie Champion, Citizen Representative Bob Elliott, Iowa City Public Library
Adult Service Coordinator Kara Logsden, County Attorney Janet Lyness, County Sheriff
Lonny Pulkrabek and Consultation of Religious Communities Representative Dorothy
Whiston; absent were: Attorney John Robertson, Judge Doug Russell, Citizen
Representative Professor Emeritus John Stratton. Staff present were: Executive
Assistant Andy Johnson and Auditor's Office Recording Secretary Nancy Tomkovicz.
REPORT FROM ALTERNATIVES AND TREATMENTS SUBCOMMITTEE
Jail Alternative Program
Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek said he thinks they made the transition to all the things they
need to do. There are just some minor things. There is not any disruption and change.
He has been working with Jail Alternatives Program Coordinator Jessica Peckover and
Captain David Wagner who is her direct supervisor. It is a critical program that he is
glad the Board is continuing to fund. Harney said that will be funded through that source
for at least one year; then the Board will take a second look at it at budget time to think
about how they are going to fund the program.
Pulkrabek said they did have to make some changes. There are some things they are
changing about the program. There are some additional times where they are going to do
substance abuse evaluations. The current program has counselors from the Mid - Eastern
Informal Minutes: July 6, 2011/ page 2
Council on Chemical Abuse come in to do substance abuse assessments on people
required to have such assessments. They have to be indigent and follow specific
guidelines. They found through the Public Defender's Office, Defense Bar, and the
Sheriff's Office that there are other situations where it would help the Jail if they could
get an evaluation done on someone. Additional evaluations are going to be picked up by
that program.
Stutsman said she would like to have a report on this program. She has not seen
numbers in quite some time. Pulkrabek said he will contact Executive Assistant Andy
Johnson. Iowa City City Council Member Connie Champion said she would like to see
that report as well. Harney said they could present the report at a Board meeting and a
Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee (CJCC) meeting.
REPORT FROM PUBLIC INFORMATION /OUTREACH SUBCOMMITTEE
Neuzil said that Bar Association Representative James McCarragher is unable to be at
this meeting. He reported that the Public Information and Outreach Subcommittee task
was to update a brochure written in 2008 addressing questions about the justice center.
The other task was to determine a possible election date in 2012. After communicating
with Auditor Tom Slockett, he indicated that if the CJCC wants a special election in
August 2012, they would have to have materials and things of that nature ready on June
23, 2012. If they want a general election, the deadline for having things ready would be
later in August 2012. They have plenty of time if they want a special election. The
Subcommittee is waiting for the CJCC to refine when they want to have the election.
With the initial schedule of events, they would have everything mostly in order by the
end of March 2012.
Neuzil said that with reference to the Safety, Security, and Space Questions and
Answers document, he sent a draft the CJCC members and would like it approved by
sometime August 2011. The handout does provide the who, what, where, when and why
of what is going on for the proposed Johnson County justice center. Neuzil said if
members have questions or suggestions they can email him or McCarragher. He said all
the subcommittees are asked to stay on task in reaching the upcoming deadlines on the
initial timeline.
REPORT FROM FACILITIES SUBCOMMITTEE
Letter to General Services Administration Regarding Property South of the
Courthouse
Harney said the Board approved a letter sent to the General Services Administration
(GSA) and he expects a representative from GSA will respond soon. GSA still wants the
200 parking spaces, but they are not locked in to having all that indoors. The bottom line
is that the CJCC has to look at the future of the proposed justice center without the GSA
lot in mind. Perhaps the County can provide GSA parking in that lot until such time as
the County needs the lot. The Board will continue to negotiate with GSA.
Informal Minutes: July 6, 2011/ page 3
Request for Qualifications for Pre - Schematic and Final Architectural and
Engineering Design
Johnson said he, Facilities Manager David Kempf and Former University of Iowa
Campus Planner Larry Wilson prepared the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for pre -
schematic design and asked for input and suggestions in advance. The only question that
was raised was a concern about the timeline. They questioned if having a pre- schematic
in April 2012 was too late to prepare for a referendum in August 2012.
Kempf said they decided they would need at least six to seven months for the pre -
schematic design to take place in order to have the product and all the information
necessary to move forward. They also wanted any entities interested in submitting
proposals to understand that they did have a deadline that they needed to meet in order to
get information out. It is a little arbitrary, but the entities need to understand there is a
deadline because it will come up quicker than they realize.
Neuzil said he thinks a deadline should be the beginning of April, 2012. Each of the
four subcommittees have deadlines at the end of March 2012, so the timing of it could be
ideal as long as each of the subcommittees are doing their work. It does not give them
much time. Kempf agreed that that does not give much time.
Rettig said that is assuming someone wanted to spend $80,000 on a special election
in August 2012 when nobody is in town. Neuzil agreed. Iowa City City Council
Member Connie Champion said that might be the time to do it. Consultation of Religious
Communities Representative Dorothy Whiston said she raised the issue because she has
seen reports come in late and incomplete. She is concerned that if they are going to have
a late deadline, somebody needs to communicate with the entities along the way to make
sure the CJCC gets a complete and usable product by the deadline.
Wilson said the intent was to have a pre- schematic design that would give all the
information needed for an election. It needs to be based on enough fact that once the
bond issue is finished they will not have to say they did not have everything in order.
The idea is that the selected firm would progress and check the current data because they
are experts in this sort of thing and make sure the CJCC is on track. The concept being
that the pre- schematic design would be an intermediate step toward the schematic design
phase. He would expect by the time they finish the pre- schematic phase, there will be
decisions the CJCC will need to make in several areas. Wilson suggested that when
firms are interviewed and told about the deadline, they should be asked if they think they
can complete a good job within the timeframe.
Citizen Representative Bob Elliott asked Johnson when the RFQ will be made
available. Johnson said it could go out in a final form on July 14, 2011 if the Board
approves it on that date at the Formal Meeting. The deadline is August 22, 2011, and by
the end of September 2011 a firm would be selected. Elliott clarified that the pre -
schematic design work would be starting in October 2011. Johnson said correct.
Informal Minutes: July 6, 2011/ page 4
Champion said she is concerned that CJCC members will need these materials to start
campaigning. They cannot campaign with just a line drawing. She asked Wilson for his
thoughts on this. Wilson said Champion would be a better judge of how much time a
campaign might take, but the CJCC needs to set the deadline for having the materials
ready for that. If the selected firm cannot meet the deadline then another firm could be
selected. Champion said they could start the campaign for this quite early at service
clubs throughout the County. She thinks CJCC members need to get a jump on public
education.
Neuzil agreed and said the Public Information and Outreach Subcommittee has
education materials and will be compiling more. A newly hired intern is going to be
spending 90 hours on this project and the final piece of publicity will be pretty extensive
as far as background materials. If they decide to go with the special election in August
2012, they want to provide enough information by April, May and June next year before
people would potentially leave for the summer and come back to participate in the vote.
Neuzil thinks there was value to getting outside assistance from other organizations like
the attorneys, who could potentially purchase the communications part of this.
Rettig said the only other countywide referendum, besides the sales tax vote, is the
Conservation Bond issue. The campaign started with not very good materials, but it did
start in May at Project Greens sale and was in full force by parade season for a November
special election. She thinks a similar timeline is desirable for this project.
Wilson said he thinks much of this depends on when they all feel they need a
brochure which explains the project. He sees the timeline as verifying the data, going to
a schematic design, agreeing on costs and what will be in the proposal to voters. And
then all that information is compiled into a brochure which he thinks should be ready in
April or May. He asked if there is a way for CJCC members to begin public education
talking about what could be called the coming attraction letting people know the
brochure is forthcoming. Elliott said he thinks deadlines should be set in accordance
with the election date. Strategies and tasks need to be mapped out four to six months
before the election.
Rettig said the elected officials have to be careful because they are just putting
educational pieces together, and whatever happened beyond that would be the
responsibility of a political action committee. From past experience, they should go
backwards from whatever day the Board decides to put it on the ballot and then decide
when people wanted to be out with educational materials.
County Attorney Janet Lyness said she does not see any reason why the educational
component could not be ongoing. They have information now and the fact that they do
not have the schematic design should not hold them back from talking about it. They
know basically how much it is going to cost, what the needs are, what it is going to
provide. Not having the schematic design for four to six months before the election is not
going to prevent any group from campaigning for it. She agrees with giving the
Informal Minutes: July 6, 2011/ page 5
architects enough time to put together a quality project as opposed to rushing it for a
schematic design.
Wilson said the only questionable point is the cost. They do not know exactly if they
will be able to get what they need for the first phase for the cost they have targeted.
Hopefully it will not be far off. If the cost changes they will need to figure out how to
explain that after they have already mentioned another figure. Neuzil said in the RFQ
there is a top amount, so that will be the highest the bond would be. Wilson said it could
also come down from that.
Rettig asked when the RFQ would come before the Board. Johnson said it is on the
July 7, 2011 Informal Meeting agenda and if there is consensus to move forward, it will
be on the July 14, 2011 Formal Meeting agenda. Rettig said although they have absorbed
the cost of a special election outside of the approved budget, she does not like doing it.
That was forced upon the Board by another individual. She would have rather planned
for having that $80,000 expense. If they are in the mindset to have a special election, she
would prefer to put that in the FYI 3 budget and tax for it as opposed to taking it from
Reserve Funds. If a special election is pending, she would want to make that decision
during the budgeting process.
Wilson said another thing they could be working on is to determine who will be on
the selection committee for the firm hired to do the pre- schematic design. Due to the
nature of the project, he has recommended that there should be an architect on the
committee and somebody who is not interested in taking on the job. Other committee
members have been suggested as well. Stutsman said the RFQ is due August 22, 2011
and asked if they should talk about the committee now or next month. Wilson said he
thinks they have time to talk about it next month, but with other things to focus on it
could slip away.
Rettig said she is not clear since the Board has set aside September 29, 2011 and
September 30, 2011 for firm interviews. She asked if there would be a selection
committee prior to the interviews to narrow down the finalists who interview with the
Board. Johnson said correct. Someone suggested that the initial committee should
consist of Pulkrabek, Lyness, Wilson, Kempf, Johnson and a couple other citizens. They
have not decided whether they would like a Supervisor or two on the initial committee.
They would review all the proposals received and narrow it down to a determined
number; then the Board would interview the finalists at the end of September. Stutsman
said she does not know if a Supervisor needs to be on the committee if the Board is going
to review the final selections. She is comfortable with the people Johnson has just
identified.
Rettig asked Wilson if he is willing to be on the committee. Wilson said sure. Rettig
confirmed that the committee would include Johnson, Kempf, Wilson, Lyness, Pulkrabek
and an architect. Wilson said he thinks they should have an architect. Rettig clarified
that it would need to be an architect who would not bid on a project like this. Wilson
said correct. Stutsman asked if they would advertise for that. Kempf said one thought is
Informal Minutes: July 6, 2011/ page 6
to approach the University of Iowa to see if one of their architects like University of Iowa
Planning, Design and Construction Director Rod Lehnertz would be willing to sit on the
committee. They will not be interested in bidding it and have experience with large
projects. Stutsman said that could be one, but she would like to open it up to the
community to see if there is anybody else who is interested. Harney said it would not
hurt to ask, but he would bet that most architects would be tied up with rebuilding flood
properties. Rettig said she does not have a problem asking a University of Iowa architect
or sending out a press release saying they are willing to appoint two citizens, particularly
an architect. Stutsman said it is important to use any opportunity to get the community
involved.
Harney asked if there would be someone from the Iowa Bar Association who would
be willing to be involved in the committee. Kempf said the Facility Subcommittee
thought it would work best to have a manageable number of people review all of the
information and bring forward to the Board no less than two and no more than six
individuals for final consideration. He agrees they need to keep the number at a
manageable size because it is going to require a lot of meetings.
Wilson said he suggests each of the major departments be represented to get their
perspective, but also to get buy -in to the process and become involved. Sullivan said that
is why he thinks it would be good to exclude Supervisors from the initial reviewing
committee. The Supervisors will be making the final decision and will have an actual
interview with whoever is chosen.
Rettig said she is fine with Pulkrabek, Lyness, Kempf and Johnson representing the
County and Wilson representing citizens. They will put out a press release saying the
CJCC is accepting letters of interest from other citizens, and they are particularly looking
for an architect who would have no financial interest in this project. Neuzil said that
sounds good. CJCC members should tell any suitable committee members to send a
letter. Wilson asked if people could send their letter of interest via email. Rettig and
Neuzil said yes.
Johnson said they discussed having the selection committee members sit in on the
final interviews, while recognizing the Board will make the final decision. Stutsman said
she is assuming all the information will be available to the public, even the RFQs.
Sullivan said it has to be.
Harney asked if the payment schedule is generally broken down in the RFQ. Wilson
asked if he was talking about cash flow. Harney said yes. Wilson said he would think it
would be paid out at the end of the pre- schematic task unless they request otherwise for
the Board to consider. Kempf said this information is usually discussed in the contract.
Wilson said they would have a cash flow for the construction portion. Rettig clarified
that by April 2012, they will have paid for the pre- schematic design, but not the actual
design, until they pass the vote. Wilson said hopefully the RFQ is clear in the fact that
nothing beyond the pre- schematic design goes forward until after the bond issue is
settled.
Informal Minutes: July 6, 2011/ page 7
REPORT FROM FUNDING /GRANTS SUBCOMMITTEE
Rettig said while she was preparing a written report for today's meeting the electricity
went off and much of her document was lost. She was not able to finalize it before this
meeting.
Rettig said Sheriffs Major Steve Dolezal has joined this subcommittee in addition to
Slockett, Treasurer Tom Kriz, Budget Coordinator Rich Claiborne, Kempf, and Rettig.
She, Pulkrabek and Dolezal spent a long morning trying to figure out how to staff the
proposed justice center. They concluded that this has a lot to do with the design. Rettig
referred to page two of the report she provided committee members, and said $1.2
million of additional staffing costs remains as the estimate. They cannot find many
issues with that estimate though there is a serious ongoing discussion about how the
justice center will be designed, how it will be staffed, and which kind of employee will
be at what station and when. She said the report is not worth the paper it is written on
because they still do not have a good answer for that because a lot has to do with how the
facility is designed. Hopefully an architectural company will come up with efficient
designs.
Rettig said the FY 12 budget has $1.65 million budgeted for housing and transport.
They have a new deal with Muscatine County to do transport so the number is going to
vary. They did make budget this year at $1.3 million. They put an additional $350,000
in this budget for FY12 and until they get more information in the coming months, they
are not clear about that cost.
Rettig referred to page two of the report and the line "Sheriff Inmate Food, etc."
Currently $130,000 is spent on feeding the inmates housed in Johnson County. About
half of the inmates are housed out of the County. She just doubled the number in the
report. They may be able to find some efficiency there, but they have not identified them
yet. Rettig said the next three lines of the report are Annual Building Maintenance,
Annual Building Custodial, and Annual Utilities. She said since the last time they
created a report the building size has been decreased, so Kempf lowered those numbers.
Rettig said a $40 million bond is more expensive now then when they talked about it
last time. The annual principal and interest is just about $2.8 million. It varies based on
the interest rates and the market is flexible right now; there was a big crisis in the
municipal bond market in the last few weeks. The County has identified the need to
come up with a financial reserve policy and they are very close to finishing this. This
would better position the County for a better bond rating. Rettig said the County's
Reserve Policy has not been firmed up. This is the right thing to do, and if the County
asks for a bonding of $40 million, they want to have a good rating.
Rettig said she subtracted the Current Housing /Transport Costs while retaining a little
bit for transport. She just plugged a number in; she is not sure $25,000 is accurate. She
deducted current maintenance, custodial, and utilities costs at the Jail building. Even if
Informal Minutes: July 6, 2011/ page 8
they reutilize the Jail building for other purposes it might reduce some space to go into
phase two. The rough annual estimate to build and operate a new justice center will cost
$2.85 million per year in the first year. She wants to caution against the bonding
example provided on the first page. They will need to crunch those numbers again
because she had conflicting data and nobody could get to the computers to figure out why
it was conflicting. It should be considered relatively unreliable. Next month, they will
bring back a better report.
Stutsman said the bond amount does not include additional operating costs. Rettig
said no, they would not bond the additional operating cost. Stutsman said yes she knows
that but it would still have an impact on the costs. Rettig said the additional operating
costs get offset by the current costs of transport. Sullivan said they are almost exactly the
same. Rettig said Pulkrabek asked for $500,000 more for inmate housing. The Board
reduced that to $350,000. Before they added the $350,000 it was almost identical. New
operating costs were identical to transport costs. Stutsman asked if there are going to be
additional operating costs with the Attorney's Office. Rettig said she did not ask that.
Lyness said there will be more court rooms and space to do things. She does not think
the Attorney's Office will require more, but it will make the Courthouse more usable.
She said it should not change anything. Rettig said heating, cooling, cleaning and
maintaining costs for the new space are included.
Pulkrabek said when they submitted budgets, they were on pace to spend $1.5 million
for the fiscal year. The numbers steadily declined. Part of that decline occurred because
the jail population declined. When that was going on they were managing around 200
inmates per day. The Sheriff s Office manages 160 to 180 inmates most of the time. The
first couple of months of the budget year were big months for the Jail population. That is
why the Sheriff s Office came in under budget. Stutsman said it is a good start.
Rettig said they will refine the report said Pulkrabek and Dolezal will figure out how
to staff the justice center, and she will figure out the math in doing that.
Lyness said she suspects there will be more staffing needed for security in the
Courthouse. That may be something they need to include. Stutsman said Lyness should
think about it. Sullivan said he hopes not as he is hoping they will benefit from the
technology of people entering from one place. Harney said that would have to be staffed.
Pulkrabek said currently if one of the deputies is on vacation and the other deputy calls in
sick, they do not backfill unless something is going on and it is absolutely necessary. In
the past, Pulkrabek has said it is likely they would need to increase staff if they are going
to have a secure facility where the entrance is much like an airport where people go
through screening. They are going to have a deputy or two assigned to manage just that.
They will also want one deputy, a floater, to do some of the things they do now.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS FROM CRIMINAL JUSTICE COORDINATING
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Informal Minutes: July 6, 2011/ page 9
Champion congratulated the CJCC on making a major decision to move forward with
this after 14 years. Rettig said she thinks it is time for the people to contribute their
opinions. Harney said they will need more help from the City of Iowa City though, and
he thanked Champion.
SET NEXT MEETING DATE
Harney said the next meeting is scheduled for August 3, 2011 at 4:30 p.m. in the
Health and Human Services Building.
Adjourned at 5:23 p.m.
Attest: Tom Slockett, Auditor
By Nancy Tomkovicz, Recording Secretary
Mediacom
August 10, 2011
Ms. Marian Karr
City Clerk
410 E. Washington St.
Iowa City, Iowa 52240 -1826
Dear Marian Karr:
:LIN =j
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09l A[ JIG 12 Ail !I: 1'5-
CERTIFIED MAIL
Mediacom's TV channel line -up is now all- digital, which brings faster Internet, more channels,
more HD, better picture and sound quality for an all - around better viewing experience. The transition
moved channels 23 through 80 to a permanent digital home. Customers with older TVs (manufactured
before 2007) that do not have a built -in digital tuner or those who do not have a Mediacom digital
receiver need a digital adapter in order to see the content on these channels.
Existing customers will continue to receive digital adapters at no cost as long as he or she
maintains the number of adapters currently used; if an existing customer requests an additional adapter it
Will cost $.99 per month as of September 15, 2011. All new customers will see a fee of $.99 per adapter
on their monthly bill upon signing up with Mediacom.
Mediacom is proud to serve City of Iowa City, and looks forward to bringing our customers the
best services we can provide. Should you have any questions please feel free to contact Government
Relations at 319 - 268 -5033.
Sincerely,
Lee Grassley
Senior Manager, Government Relations
i�
From City Manager Markus
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with a dynamic and disruptive world. For instance, a public agency cannot
compete with a private corporation that can hire a soon -to- graduate student on the
spot at a university career fair.
Accelerating technology. Technology is changing all service delivery. As just one
example, a number of local governments have launched smart phone applications
so that residents can report potholes, graffiti, sidewalk damage, and other service
needs. Several years ago, whoever would have guessed that public officials would
be tweeting constituents about community issues?
Big challenges cross boundaries. No one institution — government, business, faith -
based groups, non - profits, educational agencies —can solve any one problem.
Regardless of budget resources, the city police department cannot resolve by itself
a major gang violence problem. All the big adaptive challenges of the day (e.g.,
economic vitality, climate protection, family stability, reinvestment in
infrastructure, educational achievement, and immigration) require boundary -
crossing.
Out -of -whack tax s sy tem. The tax system funding local governments is often
based on the old industrial economy. Local agencies generally receive tax revenue
when a tangible good is sold. However, our economy is now service and
knowledge- based. The provision of services or the creation of knowledge does not
generate tax revenue to fund local government programs. While there seems to be
little political will for modernization, the tax system needs to be better aligned with
the new economy if local governments are to perform their historic role.
Citizen mistrust. As the closest unit of government to the people, local
governments in the past could rely on people's special allegiance. Now, local
agencies are just another institution, just another service provider. Declining
confidence in all levels of government, including local government, is based on a
convergence of forces, including anti - government media, anti - government
politicians who run against city hall, an inability to effectively address the big
issues confounding communities, and periodic scandals. Citizen mistrust is
reflected in ballot -box initiatives and tax and fee restrictions, as well as the
public's seeming unwillingness to work with local officials in making tough
choices. To make matters worse, citizens do not understand how services are
2
funded, thus creating a fundamental disconnect between the impacts of ballot -box
budgeting and the continuing demands for services.
The "Vending Machine" Is Broken
Local government typically performs as a "vending machine." Citizens with
certain responsibilities and obligations have become passive consumers of local
government services. They put a quarter into the vending machine and expect a
quarter (if not a dollar) worth of service. When the vending machine does not
perform as desired, consumers kick it.
The other problem with the vending machine is that it is based on a deficit model.
Local government services are used to fix up problems and people. Moreover, as
passive consumers, people take no responsibility for the problem or the solution.
Assuming a reasonable level of ongoing funding (a big assumption), the vending
machine model works for most technical problems, such as filling potholes.
However, it is insufficient to tackle the big adaptive challenges which cross
boundaries.
The Emerging Model
After decades of responding to new community, business and union demands, we
have entered an era of "take - aways." As Michael Mandelbaum, a John Hopkins
University foreign policy expert has stated, we are entering a new era "where the
great task of government and of leaders is going to be to take away things from
people." As local government leaders are forced to downsize services and staffing,
restrain pay and roll -back benefits, shutter buildings, and eliminate grants to non-
profits and subsidies to businesses, we will need to engage in difficult
conversations focused on redefining the expectations, roles and systems of local
government.
Given this new era, we believe that there are at least eight elements to an emerging
model for viable local governments.
1. More disciplined government, focused on its "core" businesses
In the midst of accelerating and discontinuous change, most private, public and
non - profit organizations are struggling to define "core" businesses. What is core
and non -core for a local government depends on the community. For example, in a
3
northern California county, the county executive recently approached the city
managers in the county to discuss which discretionary services their governments
may wish to contract out and those core businesses they desired to keep in- house.
Surprisingly, public safety was not identified as a service that must be provided by
the city government. Public safety services may be essential but police and fire
programs could easily be provided by other agencies (e.g., the county or a joint
powers authority) in perhaps a more cost - effective manner. City managers did
indicate that their agencies wanted to keep in -house land use planning (related to
the physical character and economic viability of their communities) and park
programming (related in part to the quality of life in their communities).
To identify the core, local government leaders obviously need to have courageous
conversations involving elected officials, management, labor unions, and business
and community groups. Once the core is defined (no easy task), then elected
officials and top management need to be focused on the core businesses and not
get distracted.
As one example of this effort, the City of San Jose is engaged in a program
prioritization process in order to identify the most important services based on the
strength of the impact on a set of outcomes desired by the Council and the
community. Once ranked as a high - priority program, top management and the
governing board can decide the nature of the local government involvement. For
example, should local government deliver the service itself or ensure that it is
delivered by some other entity (presumably at a lower cost and perhaps more
effectively)?
2. Demonstrating value
As just another service provider, local government agencies will be required to
deliver and demonstrate value. Local agencies operate in a competitive
marketplace. Taxpayers /consumers are asking in increasingly strident voices if
they are receiving value for their tax dollars. Reducing its cost structure,
streamlining, performance measures and other accountability efforts are key
initiatives as local government improves its value proposition.
3. Integration of technology into all service delivery
Obviously, technology will become an integral part of all service delivery.
Technology has already transformed many library services. Surveillance cameras
►,I
are transforming police work. New building technologies call into question fire
suppression services.
4. Constantly morphing organizations and systems requiring ever - learning
employees
Local government agencies need to jettison rigid personnel systems and practices,
as well as ossified purchasing and contracting processes. Constantly morphing
organizational structures and practices will require flexible and ever - learning
employees who will take on new challenges about which they know little, do some
research, respond, make mistakes, and fix up their responses as they go along. The
model of loyal, compliant civil servants needs to evolve more to knowledge
workers who are self motivated, change - proficient and adaptable.
In this kind of dynamic environment, technical know -how quickly becomes
obsolete. Learn -how becomes as important as know -how.
5. Shared services
Given the cost structure of local government, shared services (collaborative service
delivery) will become a more prevalent approach for providing services to the
public. Shared service approaches include:
Self - service. Examples include businesspeople who conduct self - inspections in
certain low -risk situations just like library patrons who check out their own books.
Contracting out. Local agencies can contract out to private, non - profit, and other
public organizations back -room functions as well as many discretionary public
safety and community services.
Regionalizing services. Fire, police, public safety communications, SWAT and
hazmat teams, employee development and purchasing can all be delivered by
regional organizations such as joint power authorities.
Leveraging assets. Local governments can sell or barter their services, expertise,
equipment, facilities, and technologies to other public and non - profit entities,
reducing the cost for everyone.
Partnering to coproduce the service. Local governments will increasingly partner
with neighborhood associations, non - profits, voluntary parent and sports groups,
5
and business organizations to deliver all kinds of service. Instead of directly
delivering the service, local agencies can provide their expertise, facilities, some
level of seed funding, or other assistance so that these other interested entities can
organize after - school programs, neighborhood safety efforts, tree planting and
maintenance, and economic development activities.
6. Nongovernmental solutions
Typically, local government is at the center of any problem- solving. People look
to local government to solve all problems. This government- centric approach is no
longer viable given constrained resources. Given the continuing limitations of
public agencies, local government must put the issue (e.g., economic vitality,
affordable housing, gangs, education achievement) in the center and become just
one partner among many. With an issue - centric approach, local government
leaders can better resist the heroic urge to take on every new challenge.
7. Authentic civic engagement
To address any significant challenge, local agency representatives need to cross
boundaries. Local government is now just another player. To exert leadership in
such a situation and address tough issues, local government officials must start
conversations with other players, convene stakeholders, facilitate problem- solving,
integrate the interests of other parties, and mobilize action. Only through this kind
of authentic engagement can local governments turn stakeholders into partners.
Committing to authentic engagement requires a "barn- raising" model for local
government work. In our agrarian past, families who needed to raise a barn would
put out a call to neighbors. Someone would hold a ladder; someone else would
hammer; others would bring the food for all the workers. In addressing complex
adaptive challenges, local government needs to put out a call for different kinds of
contributors and engage them in "barn- raising." As opposed to the vending
machine approach, barn - raising is an asset, not a deficit, model.
8. Change in Workforce
Even for the most sophisticated agency, all of the above elements in the emerging
model portend significant transformation of the local government workforce,
especially moving away from traditional risk - adverse, seniority -based systems.
6
Shared services require employees who are adept at operating within networked
environments in which success is increasingly dependent on relationships. More
than ever before, the ability to reach intended goals will be based upon alliances
with internal and external partners —the lean core organization managing
relationships with providers on behalf of the organization's constituents. For
example, in San Jose, the city parks department was able to avoid some summer
pool closures because of new relationships it leveraged with external private sector
operators. This new model was very different than the traditional and increasingly
unaffordable model of staffing pools with city employees.
Given the move toward self - motivated, adaptable workers, agencies will have to
prepare for employees who are more self - reliant in their careers. Workers will
depend more on themselves than the organization, looking to the agency less for
lifetime employment and security and more for skill- building— something smart
organizations will provide in order to have a competitive edge in attracting the best
talent. The old social contract of loyalty to the employer in exchange for lifetime
employment has long left the private sector. Local governments need to adapt to
the new social contract of public employees who will stay with local agencies as
long as they are learning and expanding their portfolio of experiences and skills.
Knowledge- sharing and portability will also continue to grow and influence the
local government landscape. Knowledge used to be something that was hoarded
(the more knowledge I have the more I'm worth), but now this approach is
progressively viewed as weakness, especially among knowledge workers.
Employees want opportunities to leverage knowledge- sharing. This is most
evident in the explosion of social networking opportunities. In addition, few
boundaries will exist for when and where work is done with perhaps some
continued exceptions for public safety services. Employees will expect flexibility
on where and when work will be performed. As job tenures are becoming shorter,
some may see work as a series of time - defined projects. Retirement reform efforts
and movement away from the traditional defined benefit toward the defined
contribution retirement plans may be seen as complementary to this portability
trend.
Lastly, as local governments become leaner core organizations that provide
services through convening stakeholders, facilitating adaptive challenges and
managing relationships with internal and external providers, the relative make -up
of the local government workforce will become even more knowledge worker in
composition. Knowledge work involves more diverse and amorphous tasks guided
by professional judgment as opposed to traditional production or clerical work
7
which is routine, clear -cut and predictable. US Department of Labor statistics
already demonstrate that state and local government workers are twice as likely as
their private sector counterparts to have a college or advanced degree. The leaner
local government of the future is likely to be even more highly skilled than the
general labor market and represent a diversity of professionals.
Promoting the Emerging Model
To promote the new model of local government in an era of take - aways, appointed
and elected officials need to engage in courageous conversations about limitations,
expectations, and the "what" and "how" of government. While modernizing and
reforming contracting, purchasing and civil service systems are absolutely essential
elements of the emerging model, local governments will still be held to high
standards. Citizens and their elected representatives will continue to require
fairness, equity, accountability and transparency —key ethical values that are the
hallmark of the public sector, especially local government. These changes will
first require conversations with all parties in order to surface issues and obstacles
and then ultimately political courage by local government leaders.
In addition to courage, local government agencies must free up "slack resources"
to make strategic investments, either by over - cutting or by partnering with other
entities. These strategic investments include investments in technology and
employee development.
Government now needs to reap the benefits of IT -led productivity growth that has
accrued to the private sector in the last three decades. This means investing in
enterprise -wide IT systems, such as Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
systems, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, and Knowledge
Management (KM) systems. Of course, with approximately 70% of all our
resources invested in employees, we cannot increase the productivity of knowledge
work without investing in employee development through new learning and
employee development initiatives. As opposed to IT investments, learning
initiatives are relatively cheap. These include job rotations, special assignments,
interim positions, talent exchanges internally and externally, team leadership
assignments, and soft skills training.
The San Jose Experience
To help shape its future, the City of San Jose, CA, is trying to proactively envision
a new future in the face of dramatic budget cuts, layoffs, and service reductions.
The City of San Jose serves almost one million residents under a mayor /city
council /city manager form of government. Over the last decade, the City has faced
persistent budget shortfalls as cost escalation continued to outpace revenue
growth. This systemic problem grew far worse in the last few years as a result of
the economic meltdown that led to significant declines in the City's major revenue
sources as well as escalating retirement and benefit costs. Drastic budget
balancing actions have been necessary to close General Fund budget gaps totaling
$565 million over the past nine years, with over $200 million addressed in 2009-
2010 and 2010 -2011 alone. Since 2001 -2002, over 1,600 positions have been
eliminated, a 22% decline in the workforce. Over 1,100 of these positions were
eliminated in the last two years, resulting in over 200 layoffs and the transfer and
"bumping" of hundreds of employees into other positions and departments. The
staffing level for San Jose now stands at 1994 -1995 levels when the City's
population hovered near 825,000. While the economy has started to recover,
another large budget shortfall of over $100 million is projected for 2011 -2012 due,
in large part, to the continued escalation of retirement costs. Addressing this large
budget gap will necessitate further drastic reductions in the City's services and
programs as well as City staffing levels.
Under the leadership of Debra Figone, City Manager of San Jose, the city's senior
management team has begun to develop a new story for its local government. The
senior management team has conducted a number of discussions around three
questions:
What is the city government like today?
What should city government look like in four years?
What does city leadership need to do now to achieve our new vision?
A summary of that discussion is depicted below.
z
Alliance for Innovation
502 E Monroe St. Ste C124
Phoenix, AZ 85004
888 - 496 -0944
City of San Jose
1 aLLIdnCe FOR
1n� ns(—mq i�OUTio�
...I Government
Managers / Supervisors discuss challenging questions about
City government's future TODAY FUTURE LEGACY
• Security and certainty gone, all is
influx
• Unrelenting annual budget
pressure
•
Fiscal sustainability threatened
• Antiquated systems: revenue, civil
service, IT
• Now doing less with less
• Some "traumatized "workforce
• Public- private is blurring
• Open government is way of life
• Boomer retirements coming;
looming loss
• Public resentment towards pension
benefits
• Civil service rules prevent
sustainable workforce and
succession planning
• Traditional City model feels
outdated
• Uneven approach: regulating vs.
facilitating
What is City
government like
today?
10
LEADERSHIP PRIORITIES
• Align expectations to reduced
organizational capacity
• Deal with financial challenges head on
• Take smart risks, reinforce safety net
• Reform retirement benefits
• Reform compensation structure
• Reform civil service system
• Innovation / new models / outsourcing
• Succession planning
• More partnership with community
• Cost control for public safety
•
'Green' infrastructure replacements
• Revenue generation
• Embrace technology solutions; make IT
investments
• Consolidate services across departments
• Enable outside partners to deliver
services, rather than delivering
them ourselves
• Smaller, highly skilled core staff
• Skilled line staff work in
self-managing teams
• Residents are citizen- partners, not
just customers "buying services"
• More focused; more capacity to
prioritize work
• Employee costs aligned;
but 'Tier 1 "talent retained/
attracted
• IT fosters more efficiency,
reliability
• Smooth transition to next-
generation leadership
• Willing to take risks to get rewards
• Many alternate hybrid service
models
• No silos within or across
departments
What must we What should our City
prioritize to get government be like in
there? 4 years:'
WORKING DRAFT, FEB.2011: For conversation only
Alliance for Innovation
502 E Monroe St. Ste C124
Phoenix, AZ 85004
888 - 496 -0944
Provoking a Needed Conversation
alllance FOR
flflOVOTIOR
nsforming Local Government
As a result of this white paper, we hope to provoke a conversation among local
government leaders across the country about the future of local government and
thus learn from each other's best thinking. To help initiate the conversation, we
are posing some critical questions:
Are the problems jeopardizing the traditional model of local government transitory
or long -term challenges?
Are there other trends and forces not discussed in this white paper that are
threatening the viability of local government as we know it?
Can local governments survive and hopefully one day thrive without aligning the
tax system with the service and knowledge economy?
Is the "emerging model" outlined in this white paper sufficient to address the
overwhelming challenges facing local governments today?
In practice, how do local government leaders rebuild trust and confidence in our
public agencies?
If the traditional model of local government is not viable in the mid- to long -term,
what practical steps must local government leaders take now to move towards a
more viable model?
Again, the future of local government is not an academic issue. The viability of
local government agencies is based on our ability to re- envision our government
and figure out real -world actions to move us in the desired direction.
Participating in the Conversation
To participate in this needed conversation, local government leaders can email
their reactions to this white paper and respond to the following issues:
What resonates with you?
What does not resonate?
11
Alliance for Innovation aulane FOR
502 E Monroe St. Ste C124 II 11 n y) � T' O n
Phoenix, AZ 85004 U r
Transforming total Governmtnt
888 - 496 -0944
What do you have to add to the discussion?
Please email your responses to Dr. Frank Benest at frank @frankbenest.com.
It is our intent to summarize the responses to this white paper and distribute a
follow -up document via the Alliance for Innovation.
Thank you for your concern and commitment to the future of local government.
Debra Figone is the City Manager of San Jose, CA. Kim Walesh is the Chief
Strategist and Mark Danaj is the former Human Resources Director for San Jose
(and now currently serves as the Assistant City Manager of Fremont, CA). Dr.
Frank Benest is the former City Manager of Palo Alto, CA, and currently serves as
a consultant to San Jose.
12
IOWA CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT
410 E. Washington Street — Iowa City, IA 52240 -1821
Phone: 319.356.5260 www.icgov.org FAX: 319.356.5263
DATE: August 17, 2011
TO: Tom Markus, City Manager 1K
FROM: Andrew J. Rocca, Fire Chief Y �/
RE: Badge Pinning Ceremony %�t�7
Please join us as we recognize the promotions of Battalion Chief Brian Greer, Captain Brian
Rohr, and Lieutenants Dan Buser, Axel Swanson, Rick Childs, and Ben Stammeyer. A badge
pinning ceremony will be held on Friday, September 2, 2011, at 11:30 AM in Emma J. Harvat
Hall.
AJR/bdm
cc: City Council
Marian Karr, City Clerk
Karen Jennings, Personnel Administrator
Stations 1, 2, & 3
DEPARTMENT
DIVISIONS
• Community Development
• Economic Development
• Historic Preservation
• Housing Rehabilitation
• MPOJC (Metropolitan Planning
Organization of Johnson County)
• Neighborhood Services
• Public Art
• Urban Planning
STAFF CONTACTS
Contact information for PCD
staff appears on the back page.
TO SUBSCRIBE TO
THIS NEWSLETTER
Visit www.icgov.org /subscribe
To view previous issues, visit
www.icgov.org/theplanner
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Urban Planning
New developments ........... 4 -5
Community Development
Annual celebration ................6
MPOJC
Transportation projects ....... 7
Public Art / Neighborhood Svcs.
Pheasant Hill Park ..............8 -9
Rummage in the Ramp...... 10
Meeting schedule ..................... 10
Staff list ....... ............................... I I
I o
IP7
AUGUST 2011
PLANNER
E- newsletter for the City of Iowa City
Planning and Community Development Department
THE NEW LOOK OF
MULTI- FAMILY HOUSING
Multi- family housing is a necessity in almost every community, including
small towns.While homeownership may be at the top of the list ofAmeri-
can dreams, it is not for everybody. In Iowa City, apartments provide hous-
ing for students who only live here for a few years; individuals, couples, or
families who are not financially prepared to undertake home ownership;
as well as retirees and others who choose to rent because they just don't
want to commit that much time, money and energy toward caring for and
maintaining property. Let's face it — having someone else responsible for
mowing the lawn, shoveling the snow, replacing the refrigerator when it
quits running, and installing new doors and windows when the time comes
can sound pretty good to long -time homeowners, too.
So, while we may all agree on the necessity of multi - family housing, it has
often been something that neighborhoods wished would be built some-
where else. In Iowa City, when more and more apartment buildings began
continued on next page
513 Bowery
The architecture and design of this Prairie -style multi - family
housing complex makes an appealing addition to the neighborhood.
The Planner, August 2011 —page 2
URBAN PLANNING
www.icgov.org/urbanplanning
MULTI- FAMILY HOUSING
continued from cover
to sprout up in what were previ-
ously single - family neighborhoods,
conflicts began to emerge. Often,
the apartments being built did not
fit into the character of the neigh-
borhood and were out of scale with
adjacent homes. Large parking lots
were replacing front yards. Exposed
stairways and exterior motel -like
corridors were unsightly and treach-
erous in the winter. And, the build-
ings often had blank facades with
no windows or visible entrances. In
the Central District, an area filled
with older, historic homes close to
downtown and the University, dis-
agreements began to escalate be-
tween neighborhood residents and
apartment developers.
continued on next page
603 South Dubuque
The apartment complex at 603 S.
Dubuque puts a unique stamp on
its building with a variety of exte-
rior materials that provide differ-
ent colors and textures, facade re-
cesses, several styles of windows,
brick - inlaid sidewalks with trees
and plantings, a front courtyard,
and benches to relax and take in
the neighborhood.
WHAT I NEIGHBORS I WANTED I TO I SEE I CHANGED
Some of the common issues neighborhoods had with apart-
ment buildings in the past were (clockwise, starting above):
• Exterior doors and stairways, which gave the appear-
ance of a motel and were unsafe in the winter.
• Building entrances that were hard to find.
• Blank street - facing facades.
• Parking — often out front — that that detracted from
the residential character of the neighborhood.
The Planner, August 2011 — page 3
URBAN PLANNING
MULTI - FAMILY HOUSING
continued from previous page
In response, back in the late 1990s, the City formed a committee
comprised of apartment developers, neighborhood representa-
tives, and members of the City's Historic Preservation and Plan-
ning and Zoning commissions, to work together to establish a
new set of standards for multi - family buildings. The standards
were adopted and implemented in the Central District near
campus, where the majority of multi - family units were being
built. And, they worked well — as long as you lived in the Cen-
tral District.
Then other neighborhoods began to ask: Why not us?
So, when the Zoning Code was updated in 2005, the City refined
and standardized the rules for multi - family buildings, and enacted
them City -wide. Now, multi - family units that are planned for old-
er neighborhoods are subject to a design review to make sure
that the architecture and design is an appropriate fit for the area.
The outcome has been favorable for neighborhoods, develop-
ers, and contractors alike. New apartment buildings are once
again exhibiting elements of style as they did a century or so
ago, with Prairie, Tudor, Colonial, Queen Anne, and Craftsman
architectural details being incorporated into the new structures.
Developers, some of whom have won awards for their projects,
talk with pride of their new buildings, and report they've had less
resistance from neighbors during the construction process.
More photos on next page.
916
East Burlington
(Left): This apartment
building was built last
year with Tudor -style
design influences.
22-24
South Governor
(Right): The single -
family home that
once stood here
was destroyed in
the 2006 tornado.
The new duplex
built in its place fits
well in the neighbor-
hood of older homes.
10 - 12 - 14 North Dodge
The developer of this newer tri -plex on
Dodge Street added design features that are
similar to historic apartment buildings in Iowa City.
The Planner, August 2011 — page 4
URBAN PLANNING
..
MULTI- FAMILY HOUSING
continued from previous page
North Lucas
Some very appealing multi - family units
are now part of the Lucas Street neigh -
borhood.The red triplex below (23 -25-
27 N. Lucas) was built a few years ago,
while the building pictured on the right,
on the corner of Lucas and Jefferson
Streets, is now under construction.
NEW RESIDENTIAL
DEVELOPMENTS
The City Council recently approved plans
for the following two developments:
STONE BRIDGE ESTATES
PART TEN
Stone Bridge Estates Part Ten is a 27 -lot,
8.06 -acre residential subdivision located on
Taft Avenue north of Huntington Drive.
continued on next page
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The Planner, August 2011 — page 5
URBAN PLANNING
vvvvw.icgov.org/urbanplann
NEW RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS
continued from previous page
[OWA CITY, IOWA~~
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ROCHESTER RIDGE
Rochester Ridge is a 55 -lot, 23.22 -acre residential subdivision located
south of Rochester Avenue and west ofAmhurst Street.
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The Planner, August 2011 —page 6
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Ill
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT:
ANNUAL CELEBRATION SHOWS WHAT A
DIFFERENCE CDBG AND HOME PROJECTS CAN MAKE
Two events will be combined later
this month to celebrate the suc-
cesses of local community develop-
ment projects. The annual Commu-
nity Development Celebration will
be held in conjunction with a dedi-
cation ceremony for the new facility
shared by Big Brothers Big Sisters of
Johnson County (BBBSJC) and the
Johnson County Extension Council.
The building, which was constructed
in part with local Community Devel-
opment Block Grant (CDBG) funds,
was one of the largest community
development projects of the year.
The public is invited to attend
the celebration, scheduled Tues-
day, August 23 from 4 to 7
p.m. at the new BBBSJC fa-
cility, located at 3109 Old Hwy.
218 South, next to the Johnson
County Fairgrounds. A dedica-
tion program will be held at 5
p.m., with remarks by Congress-
man Dave Loebsack and others. In
addition to announcing the FYI
projects that will receive commu-
nity development funding, Mayor
Matthew Hayek will present the
following Community Develop-
ment awards:
Outstanding Community
Partnerships:
Johnson County Enension Council and
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Johnson
County
The University of Iowa - City of low(
City UniverCity Neighborhood Partner
ship Program
Outstanding Contractor:
SJ Construction Services
A visual retrospective of community
projects that have received funding
over the years, including the City's
Senior Center, UAY's Youth Center,
and Wetherby Splash Pad, as well as
local businesses that have received
economic development funds to help
get their businesses underway, is also
scheduled.
The event is being co- hosted by the
Johnson County Extension Council,
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Johnson
County, and the Iowa City Housing
and Community Development Com-
mission.
CDBG and HOME funds, which are
used to meet the housing, employ-
ment, and service needs for low- to
moderate - income Iowa City resi-
dents, are awarded each year by the
federal government, but disbursed
to local organizations and projects
by the City's Community Develop-
ment division. Recommendations on
which projects will receive funding,
and in what amount, are made by
the Housing and Community Devel-
opment Commission and approved
by the City Council. In addition to
improving the Iowa City community,
the projects provide a strong eco-
nomic boost through new construc-
The Planner, August 2011 — page 7
METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION OF JOHNSON COUNTY
Projects selected for transportation funding
The Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County (MPO-
JC) has announced transportation projects that will receive funding
for FY2013 -15.
Surface Transportation Program
Dubuque Street elevation, Iowa City - $4 million
These funds will be used to reconstruct and elevate 3,500 feet of
Dubuque Street from 1 -80 to Park Road in Iowa City.The project will
help keep the roadway above water during times of flooding.
Coral Ridge Avenue widening, Coralville - $561,747
Coral Ridge Avenue will be widened from Holiday Road to the south
approach of Oakdale Boulevard, resulting in four lanes, a center me-
dian, and turn lanes.
Highway 965 improvements, North Liberty - $1,125,000
This highway improvement project will involve Highway 965 from
Penn Street to the north, through the intersection with Scales Bend
Road.Turn lanes will be added, the railroad crossing will be upgraded,
and geometric improvements will be made to an intersection.
Transportation Enhancement Funds
Clear CreekTrail, Coralville - $200,000
Phase V1 of Clear CreekTrail (0.88 mi) will be constructed from Deer
Creek to Creekside Ballpark.
Trail, Johnson County - $177,152
A grade- separated trail will be built along Mehaffey Bridge Road from
North Liberty to the Iowa River.
Large sections of Dubuque Street were
under water in the floods of 2008.
$4 million in STP funds has been awarded
for a street elevation project for FY2013 -15.
Work continues on update of Long -Range Plan
The Transportation Planning Division
continues to work on the update of
the Long -Range Transportation Plan,
which provides guidance for future
transportation facility investments
in the metropolitan area. The plan
is scheduled to be adopted by May
2012.
Six draft chapters are now available
online for review at www.iccog.org/
what_we_do /updates.html. The pub-
lic is invited to comment on the draft
materials. Contact Kent Ralston, As-
sistant Transportation Planner, at
319.356.5253 or e-mail kent - ralston
@iowa - cityorg, or attend the Urban-
ized Area Policy Board meeting on
August 17 to present your comments
in person. The meeting is scheduled
at the Gerdine Conference Room in
the North Liberty Community Cen-
ter, 520 W. Cherry Street, at 4:30 p.m.
Applicants sought for transit needs committee
MPOJC will form a committee to discuss and make recommendations on future
transit needs in the Iowa City urbanized area. Applications for the at -large posi-
tions are due August 16. For more information and /or an application form, please
visit the website at www.mpojc.org or contact John Yapp,Transportation Planner,
at 319.356.5252 or e-mail john -yapp @iowa - cityorg.
The Planner, August 2011 — page 8
NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES & PUBLIC ART
Thsz ma& of
phQcw(�ant `bill J)ark',s
V�oodland
Walkway
When the Washington Hills Neighborhood Association was approved
for a City of Iowa City Neighborhood Art Project, the group started
working on ideas that would not only enhance their neighborhood,
but also reflect it — an expressive, unique, visually intriguing art project
that would be created in part by those who live in the neighborhood.
In other words, they called on the kids.
The association thought that the best place for the art to be installed
would be the neighborhood park, Pheasant Hill, a 3.3 -acre getaway on
Concord Circle.They settled on a theme: "Characters of the Imagina-
tion:' And, they contracted with fill Harper, a City High art teacher, to
lead the project.
Harper first worked with elementary school students, asking them
to design their own imaginary animal, monster, mythical creature, or
plants that might live in the woods.Then, she transferred the childrens'
designs to tiles, and with the help of City High art students, adhered
each tile to a sticky surface, working in mirror image. The sheets of
mosaics were then applied to a concrete park bench and 10 concrete
plinths and grouted to create a grotto -like effect.
After the various pieces were installed and neighborhood residents
were able to see the full scope of the art project, they realized they
had helped to create something truly special. The park bench, with
the name of the park installed in mosaic on the back rest, provides
a warm and colorful greeting for visitors, while doubling as a park
sign. A pathway lined with 10 five -foot tall plinths leads visitors to the
pavilion and playground area with a multitude of colors, patterns, and
designs that reflect the imagination, skill, and hard work of neighbor-
hood students, whose names have been incorporated into the design,
and their teacher.
Together, they've brought magic to the neighborhood
The Planner, August 2011 — page 9
NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES & PUBLIC ART
PhQa,sant dill f,)ark'6
woodland
walkwag
Some of the students who worked on the
Pheasant Hill Park art project attended a
dedication ceremony held in the park in July.
7
ti
The Planner, August 2011 — page 10
DEPARTMENT MEETINGS & OTHER EVENTS
..
UPCOMING MEETINGS
• This is a tentative schedule of upcoming meetings.
• To verify that the meeting will be held, check the calen-
dar on the City website at www.icgoy.org/calendar or
call the Planning & Community Development office at
319.356.5230.
• Meetings will be held at City Hall at 410 E. Washing-
ton Street unless noted otherwise. Individual meeting
rooms are listed with the meeting information below.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 18
Planning & Zoning Commission
7 p.m.— Emma Harvat Hall, City Hall
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
Planning & Zoning Commission
7 p.m.— Emma Harvat Hall, City Hall
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
Historic Preservation Commission
5:15 p.m.— Emma Harvat Hall, City Hall
Please note change in meeting time!
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
Board of Adjustment
5:15 p.m.— Emma Harvat Hall, City Hall
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
Housing & Community Development Commission
6:30 p.m. — Lobby Conference Room, City Hall
Planning & Zoning Commission
7 p.m.— Emma Harvat Hall, City Hall
AGENDAS AND
MEETING PACKETS
Agendas and meeting packets for all scheduled meetings
are posted to the City's website at least 24 hours in ad-
vance.To view, go to www.icgov.org/calendar and click
on the date of the meeting. A list of all meetings sched-
uled for that day will appear. Click on the appropriate
"View agenda for this event" link to be directed to the
agenda and meeting materials.
Chairs were plentiful at this year's event!
Another record - setting year
for Rummage in the Ramp
This year's Rummage in the Ramp once again set records
for donations, sales, and the amount of money raised for
local nonprofits. Now in its fifth year, Rummage in the
Ramp is a City- sponsored recycle and re -use event that
asks tenants who are moving out of their apartments to
donate furniture, household items, beds, electronics, cloth-
ing, and books they no longer want or need to the sale,
rather than throwing them away.
This year, roughly 24 tons of material were donated and
thereby diverted from the landfill. The items were then
sold to the public at bargain- basement prices, with the re-
sulting profits from the sale split by local nonprofits who
helped staff the event.Almost 300 volunteers from 30 lo-
cal nonprofit organizations helped this year, and will divide
$17,930 — a total of $480 per shift worked.
As it has in the previous four years, Rummage in the Ramp
offered an eclectic mix of items, including a 134 couches,
95 tables, 73 mattresses, 160 bags of clothing, books,televi-
sions, stuffed animals, workout equipment, holiday decora-
tions, and numerous other items. The items that did not
sell were recycled and donated to other agencies.
Co- sponsors for the event were Aero Rental and Party
Shoppe, the Iowa City Press- Citizen, KCA, KRUI, Scheels,
Her Soup Kitchen, the University of Iowa Office of Sustain -
ability, and Toyota of Iowa City.
For more info, visit www.icgov.org/rummageintheramp.
PLANNING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
ADMINISTRATION
COMMUNITY
MPOJC
Jeff Davidson
DEVELOPMENT
John Yapp
Director
Steve Long
Executive Director
319.356.5232
Coordinator
319.356.5252
jeff- davidson @iowa - cityorg
319.356.5250
john -yapp @iowa - city.org
Janet Dvorsky
steve -long @iowa - city.org
Transportation Planners
Administrative Secretary
Community
Brad Neumann
319.356.5230
Development Planners
319.356.5235
janet- dvorsky @iowa - city.org i
Tracy Hightshoe
brad- neumann @iowa - city.org
Joy Bayshore
319.356.5244
Kent Ralston
Clerk
tracy- hghtshoe @iowa - city.org
319.356.5253
319.356.5230
Doug Ongie
kent- ralston @iowa - city.org
joy- bayshore @iowa - cityorg
319.356.5479
KristopherAckerson
doug -ongie @iowa - cityorg
319.356.5247
David Purdy
kristopher- ackerson@
URBAN PLANNING
319.356.5489
iowa - city.org
david -purdy @iowa - city.org
Darian Nagle -Gamm
Robert Miklo
319.356.5254
Senior Planner
Housing Rehabilitation
darian - nagle -gamm@
319.356.5240
Specialists
iowa - cityorg
bob- miklo iowa -cit Y .or g
David Powers
Urban Planners
319.356.5233
Human Services Planner
Karen Howard
david - powers @iowa - cityorg
Linda Severson
319.356.5251
Jeff Vanatter
Coordinator
319.356.5242
karen- howard @iowa - cityorg
319.356.5128
linda- Severson @iowa - cityorg
Sarah Walz
jeff- vanatter @iowa - cityorg
Board of Adjustment
Liz Osborne
319.356.5239
Program Assistant
sarah -walz @iowa - cityorg
319.356.5246
NEIGHBORHOOD
liz- Osborne @iowa - cityorg
SERVICES
For historic preservation matters,
& PUBLIC ART
please contact Robert Miklo,
Senior Planner
Marcia Bollinger
319.356.5240
ECONOMIC
Coordinator of
bob -miklo @iowa - city.org
Neighborhood Services
DEVELOPMENT
& Iowa City Public Art Program
Wendy Ford
319.356.5237
Coordinator
marcia- bollinger @iowa - cityorg
319.356.5248
wendy-ford@iowa-city.org
City of Iowa City - News & Headlines
Page 1 of 1
«« iBack t 1P8
c Back to News Releases
News Releases
Originally posted on Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 1:16:03 PM
COMMUNITY MEETING FOR THE TAFT SPEEDWAY FLOOD MITIGATION STUDY
The first community meeting for the Taft Speedway Flood Mitigation Study will be held on Thursday, August
25th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Parkview Church, 15 Foster Road, Iowa City, Iowa. At the meeting, the
community will have the chance to learn about the Taft Speedway Flood Mitigation Study and opportunities to
provide input. The primary objective of this meeting will be to gather public input and comments about the
study to help HDR staff focus their analysis. Local neighbors, property owners, business owners and all others
interested in the Taft Speedway Flood Mitigation project are encouraged to attend.
Funding for this study was received through an Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED),
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). The legislation providing the disaster recovery funding is the
Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act of 2009 (Pub. L. 110 329).
Residents needing special accommodations or translation services should contact Jason Reichart at (319)
356 5416 or Jason- reichart a(�iowa- city.org.
For more information, please visit www.icgov.org/taftspeedwaystudy.
Originating Department: Engineering
Contact Person: Jason Reichart
Contact Phone: (319) 356 -5139
Back to News Releases
http: / /www.icgov.org/ default / apps /GEN/ news. asp ?newsID = 7306 &page =l &output =print 8/16/2011
MINUTES Preliminary IP9
IOWA CITY BOARD OF APPEALS
FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2011
LOBBY CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL
410 E. WASHINGTON STREET
IOWA CITY, IA 52240
MEMBERS PRESENT: John Roffman, Scott McDonough, Andrea French, Chad
Campion
MEMBERS ABSENT: Matt Neumiller
STAFF PRESENT: Tim Hennes (Sr. Building Inspector), Sue Dulek (Asst.
City Attorney), Jann Ream (Code Enforcement Asst.
acting as minute taker)
OTHERS PRESENT: None
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: None
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Roffman called the meeting order at 12:04PM.
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES:
Minutes from the August 1 st, 2011 meeting were reviewed. McDonough moved to
Approve the minutes. French seconded. Minutes were approved by a 4 -0
unanimous vote.
Other Business: None
Adjournment: Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12:06PM
Chairperson, Board of Appeals Date
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Preliminary Minutes IP10
July 2011
MINUTES
SENIOR CENTER COMMISSION
JULY 21, 2011
ROOM 205, IOWA CITY /JOHNSON COUNTY SENIOR CENTER
Members Present: Jay Honohan, Sara Maiers, Chuck Felling, Rose Hanson
Members Absent: Merce Bern-Klug, Michael Lensing
Staff Present: Linda Kopping, Kristin Kromray
Others Present: None
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL:
None.
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 4:00 PM. Honohan chaired the meeting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM MAY 19-, 2011 MEETING:
Motion: To accept the minutes from the May 199 2011 meeting. Motion
carried on a vote of 410. Maiers/Felling.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA:
None.
COMMISSION ASSIGNMENTS:
Honohan and Maiers will attend a Board of Supervisors meeting. Jay will attend
the next City Council meeting.
30TH ANNIVERSARY PLANNING:
This September is the 30"' anniversary of the Senior Center. Programs for this
event include:
- A senior art show
- Member appreciation dinner, September 8"'
- A dance September 23`d with music by the Dale Thomas Band
- A film festival the weekend of September 3e
- Open house the last week of September
Preliminary Minutes
July 2011
PERATIONAL OVERVIEW:
The sign committee continues to meet to discuss the front sign. The committee
would like to incorporate the current sign into a vandal proof design. One option
being considered is covering the existing sign with etched metal. One factor that
is being discussed is whether or not to include "Johnson County" in the name on
the sign. Kopping reported that she was told that in the original documents
forming the Senior Center the "Johnson County" portion of the name is
mentioned and therefore legally must be included.
The Center is working with Hills Bank and The Blackstone to sponsor a mac and
cheese fundraising dinner which will take place in the assembly room during the
University of Iowa Homecoming Parade on October 21 st. Dinner will include
mac and cheese, a drink and dessert. Desserts will be donated by volunteers.
This fall The Center will have a record number of classes (112), in addition to 18
groups and dubs, 5 performance groups, and volunteer opportunities.
The commission discussed the gift fund and how to use the funds currently held
in it.
Kopping reported she believes there is a $25,000 bequest from the estate of
Clifford Dodds that will be given to the Senior Center in the near future.
The front steps on the South Linn St entrance are in need of repair. The support
wall is slipping away from the steps. An engineer came in to look at the situation.
The footings will need to be replaced as well as the support wall.
Kopping reported that in FY11 The Center used 92.12°x6 of the budget. Kopping
is going to ask for a cant' over for capital improvements which will include
payment for new software and the front step repair.
Kopping also reported The Center made 88.84°x6 of our projected revenue.
Membership revenue was up by $5000 and parking permits revenue up by
$3000.
Kopping reported that she was pleased with the surveys for fitness and
performance groups. These surveys are needed for the NISC accreditation
process.
Felling reported that Jean Martin's memorial will be August 215t at Hickory Hill
Park.
Preliminary Minutes
July 2011
COMMISSION DISCUSSION:
Hononhan discussed the grant amount from Johnson County to the Senior
Center. Johnson County contributed $70,000 which is down from $75,000 the
previous year. In the past Johnson County has contributed 20% of the Senior
Center's operational budget. Currently they are contributing less than 10% of the
total operational expenses.
Kopping noted that the Senior Center provides support to Iowa City, and greater
Johnson County in a number of ways. She pointed out that that the Senior
Center funds the nutrition program, which delivers meals throughout Johnson
County. In addition many of our performance groups provide programming to
outside communities. We are also frequent participants in community events
sponsored by other groups and community fairs.
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion: To Adjourn. Motion carried on a vote of 5/0. Maiers /Hanson.
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