HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-04-19 Info PacketCITY COUNCIL INFORMATION PACKET
CITY Of IOWA CITY April 19, 2012
www.icgov.org
IP1 Council Tentative Meeting Schedule
MISCELLANEOUS
IP2 Email from Public Works Dir. to Council Member Throgmorton: Landfill Gas to Energy
IP3 Letter from Fire Chief to Robert Unzeitag: Use of Prescribed Fire Within City Limits
IP4 Memo from Transportation Services: Taxi Stands in Downtown Iowa City
I135 Grand Opening on Earth Day, Sunday, April 22
IP6 MidAmerican Energy Company -Iowa City Electric and Natural Gas Annual Report 2011
IP7 Jane Jacobs Walk, Saturday, May 5
IP8 Email from Council Member Payne to Council Member Throgmorton: MidAmerican Energy
Information
DRAFT MINUTES
IP9 Board of Adjustment: March 28
IP10 Housing & Community Development Commission: February 16
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wkw§ ®fr, City Council Tentative Meeting Schedule --j .N April 19, 2012
CITY OF IOWA CITY
Subject to change
Date
Time
Meeting
Location
Tuesday, May 01, 2012
5:00 PM
Work Session Meeting
Emma J. Harvat Hall
Tuesday, May 01, 2012
7:OOPM
Regular Formal Meeting
Emma J. Harvat Hall
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
5:00 PM
Work Session Meeting
Emma J. Harvat Hall
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
7:OOPM
Regular Formal Meeting
Emma J. Harvat Hall
Monday, May 28, 2012
Memorial Day - City Offices Closed
Tuesday, June 05, 2012
5:00 PM
Work Session Meeting
Emma J. Harvat Hall
Tuesday, June 05, 2012
7:OO13M
Regular Formal Meeting
Emma J. Harvat Hall
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
5:00 PM
Work Session Meeting
Emma J. Harvat Hall
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
7:OO13M
Regular Formal Meeting
Emma J. Harvat Hall
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
4:30PM
Joint Meeting
Johnson County TBA
Wednesday, July 04, 2012
Independence Day - City Offices Closed
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
5:00 PM
Work Session Meeting
Emma J. Harvat Hall
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
7:OO13M
Regular Formal Meeting
Emma J. Harvat Hall
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
5:00 PM
Work Session Meeting
Emma J. Harvat Hall
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
7:OO13M
Regular Formal Meeting
Emma J. Harvat Hall
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
5:00 PM
Work Session Meeting
Emma J. Harvat Hall
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
7:OO13M
Regular Formal Meeting
Emma J. Harvat Hall
IP2
Marian Karr
From: Tom Markus
Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2012 7:22 AM
To: Marian Karr
Subject: Fwd: Landfill Gas to Energy
Info packet please.
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
From: Jim Throgmorton < Jim- Throgmortongiowa- city.org>
Date: April 16, 2012 5:15:46 PM CDT
To: Rick Fosse <Rick- Fossegiowa-city.org>
Cc: Tom Markus <Tom- Markus(,iowa- city.org>
Subject: RE: Landfill Gas to Energy
Jim
From: Rick Fosse
Sent: Monday, April 16, 2012 2:09 PM
To: Jim Throgmorton
Cc: Tom Markus
Subject: Landfill Gas to Energy
Jim:
Tom asked me to update you on our joint venture with the University of Iowa to use landfill gas
at the Oakdale campus. This project has been slow to evolve because of the significant capital
risk involved for the equipment necessary to condition and compress the gas and the pipeline to
transport it to the Oakdale campus. These involve a variety of technical and regulatory
challenges that are pushing the boundary of financial viability for the project. Both parties are
being cautious about moving forward until or unless we are comfortable with the risks in this
long term commitment. We are keeping some other ideas on the back burner just in case.
Please let me know if you need any additional information.
Thanks,
Rick
IOWA CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT
410 E. Washington Street — Iowa City, IA 52240 -1821
Phone: 319.356.5260 www.ic og v_org FAX: 319.356.5269
April 13, 2012
Mr. Robert Unwitag
1319 Pine Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
Dear Mr. Unzeitag:
Thank you for stopping by my office to express your concerns regarding the use of prescribed fire within the city limits. I
am sorry your bicycle ride was spoiled by your experience with the smoke cloud from the University of Iowa Athletics
prairie bum and I hope any residual symptoms you were experiencing have since resolved.
As we discussed, prescribed fire is recognized as a very important management tool for maintaining and enhancing
prairies. Prescribed burning can recycle nutrients tied up in old plant growth, control many herbaceous weeds, improve
poor quality forage and increase native plant growth. To achieve these benefits, however, fire must be used under very
specific conditions while using very specific techniques.
Unfortunately, in this instance, the permit holder erred in his decision to proceed with the bum under less than ideal
weather conditions and created a preventable hazard. While wind is helpful with fire growth and smoke dissipation at
moderately low speeds (5 -15 mph), gusting winds can create accelerated fire growth and unpredictable smoke travel. I
reviewed the expectations and parameters for conducting a successful prescribed bum with the permit holder and
anticipate compliance in the future.
As an additional safeguard, the Temporary Permit form that is issued has been updated to include a "Go/No-Go" checklist
that must be completed prior to conducting a prescribed fire. The form includes a review of current and anticipated
weather conditions.
As a fire official, I do understand and share your concerns with the use of fire in an urban area. As the adopted fire code
allows open burning for prairie management, the goal is to use the permit process to ensure qualified persons employ safe
and effective methods. Overall, this has been the case and the changes made will further promote the safe use of
prescribed fire.
Please contact me if you have further questions or concerns.
Kind regards,
IOWA CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT
Jo4n Grier, Fire Marshal
cc: Tom Markus, City Manager
Andy Rocca, Fire Chief
rTrf M-7
t CITY OF IOWA CITY iPa
-'' -1 MEMORANDUM
Date: April 19, 2012
To: City Manager
From: Chris O'Brien, Transportation Services
Re: Update: Taxi Stands in Downtown Iowa City
Introduction
Due to concerns raised over late night taxi loading, we have been evaluating locations of
dedicated taxi areas throughout downtown Iowa City.
Background
Currently there are 12 registered taxi companies in Iowa City with 91 licensed vehicles. During
late night service hours, from 10:00pm — 2:30am, there is a lack of open, legal space for taxi's to
stand, load and unload customers in downtown Iowa City. This has resulted in taxi's parking
vehicles in the middle of Dubuque Street and in the middle of travel lanes while they await
potential customers. The Iowa City Police Department has issued several citations to taxi's in
locations that have created an unsafe environment for vehicles and pedestrians.
A few years ago an attempt was made to address this same issue and at that time a
recommendation was made to convert all loading and commercial loading zones in downtown
Iowa City to taxi stands after 6:00pm. This change was met with resistance and eventually
failed as the dedicated areas were spread out and not effective.
Discussion of Solution
Over the past few months, staff from Planning, ICPD, Legal and Transportation Services have
been working on a recommendation to address taxi stand location issues in order to provide a
structured environment for taxi's to stand, load and unload passengers in a safe manner. These
recommendations will include multiple locations where space will be designated for use by taxis
between the hours of 10:00pm — 2:30am.
Conclusion
We are currently in the process of reaching out to taxi companies and businesses in downtown
Iowa City to request feedback as it relates to dedicating areas for taxi stands during the late
night hours. We will provide City Council with a formal recommendation after that feedback has
been received and any adjustments have been made to our initial concept for them to take
action.
Please contact me anytime with questions or comments at Chris- Obrien(cb-lowa- City.oro, or by
phone at 356 -5156.
Cc: Darian Nagle -Gamm
Rick Wyss
Eric Goers
Grand Opening
On Earth Day!
Sunday, April 22, 2012
1 to 4 pm
2401 Scott Blvd. SE
Iowa City, Iowa
RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY
IP5
1:00 pm
SITE TOURS Every half -hour
Tours scheduled at 1:30, 2:00, 2:30, 3:00, and 3:30 pm will
showcase our recycling set -up and opportunities, take visitors
through the new Environmental Education Center, highlight the
special environmental features of the site such as green build-
ing, renewable energy, stormwater management, and energy
efficiency, and introduce our on -site recycling partners, ReStore
and Salvage Barn.
OTHER ACTIVITIES 1:30 - 4:00 pm
Story time for children: Staff from various City departments
will share stories with environmental themes.
Planting project: Make mini plant pots and start seeds with
staff from the Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department.
Presentations: New Pioneer's Soilmotes Garden Educator Scott
Koepke will give presentations on composting basics.
Displays: Photo boards of the site's construction process and a
variety of environmental education displays will be available.
On -site parking is limited, so please park at Systems Unlimited (located just south of the ESRC) for this event.
Light refreshments will be served. For more information, visit www.icgov.org /esrc
iPs
April 16, 2012
Ms. Marian Karr, City Clerk
City of Iowa City
410 E. Washington St.
Iowa City, IA 52240
Dear Ms. Karr:
As part of the MidAmerican Energy Company -Iowa City electric and natural gas
franchises approved in November 2007, please find the enclosed annual report to the
Iowa City Council and copies for the council. The report summarizes the community
contributions and involvement of MidAmerican Energy and its employees within the
Iowa City community during calendar year 2011.
Please let me know if you or any of the council members have any questions.
Sincerely,
Kathryn M. Kunert
Vice president, business and community development
MidAmerican Energy Company
Iowa City Community Report
Calendar Year 2011
This report is being submitted in accordance with the electric and natural gas
franchises agreements signed in November 2007 between the City of Iowa City and
MidAmerican Energy Company.
The report voluntarily summarizes the support which MidAmerican Energy, the
company's Foundation and employees have contributed to the community for calendar -
year 2011 and the preceding three years. All figures are submitted in good faith and are
accurate to the best of MidAmerican Energy's knowledge and record - keeping.
The following sections outline key donations made by MidAmerican Energy to Iowa
City organizations and programs in 2011.
Property Taxes
MidAmerican Energy is one of the largest property tax payers in Iowa City. For the
tax year ending June 2011, the company paid $1,828,891 in property taxes broken down as
follows: city of Iowa City - $800,643; public schools - $654,812; Johnson County -
$313,672; other- $59,764. For the tax year ending June 2010, MidAmerican paid
$1,727,904 in property taxes: city of Iowa City - $749,859; public schools - $620,403;
Johnson County - $304,988; other - $52,654. For the tax year ending June 2009,
MidAmerican paid $1,790,945 in property taxes: city of Iowa City - $787,260; public
schools - $625,895; Johnson County - $325,694; other $51,418. For the tax year ending
June 2008, MidAmerican paid $1,772,150 in property taxes: city of Iowa City - $773,902;
public schools - $620,030; Johnson County - $327,031; other $51,192.
The combined property tax total of the four years covered by the report is
$7,119,890, with the city receiving $3,111,664, the schools $2,521,114, the county
$1,271,385 and other $215,028.
Economic Development
MidAmerican Energy recognizes one of the ways to keep a community viable is
through planned economic growth.
Pa e2o 7
Iowa City Community Report
The company and economic development staff actively support Iowa City Area
Development Group, Inc. by providing support funds, time, expertise and experience to the
organization. A company representative has continually served on the ICAD board of
directors since its founding.
In addition to its annual monetary contributions to ICAD, MidAmerican Energy
brings additional resources ICAD would not otherwise have. These resources include
project support, marketing underwriting, Location One Information System (a tool used to
help promote available buildings and sites in Iowa City which may attract new businesses
to locate in the city), and Synchronist (a tool used to help retain and expand existing
businesses) to mention a few. The total amount contributed to ICAD for 2011 was
$40,415. For the previous four years, those totals were $40,425 in 2010, $34,363 in 2009,
and $46,250 in 2008.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency provides significant economic benefits to Iowa City residents,
businesses, the City and the University of Iowa. MidAmerican Energy offers several
programs and projects that impact the region.
The City of Iowa City is perhaps most familiar with MidAmerican's Trees Please!
program. In 2011, the city received a $20,000 donation and the Project Green City
organization secured a $1,000 grant. Beyond their aesthetic beauty, trees provide shade,
cooling during the summer, and permit sunlight into buildings during the winter.
Residents and businesses benefit from the company's energy efficiency rebate
programs in two ways. First, they receive either financial incentives or low- interest
financing for incorporating specific types of energy - efficient building equipment and /or
materials, e.g. insulation, high- efficiency furnaces and air conditioners for new
construction or remodeling. Second, because they have more energy efficient homes and
businesses, less energy is being used on an annual basis resulting in lower overall energy
costs for many years to come.
Pa e3o 7
Iowa City Community Report
One of the most popular and helpful programs has been home energy audits. To be
eligible for a home energy audit, a house must be more than 10 years old. In 2011, 225
homeowners and 41 business owners had energy audits completed. That compares to 251
residences and 16 businesses in 2010; 296 homeowners and 28 businesses in 2009; and
298 homeowners and 21 businesses in 2008. In total, 1,070 homes and 106 businesses in
Iowa City have taken advantage of the program over the past four years to improve their
energy efficiency, reduce their carbon footprints and save money. MidAmerican Energy
encourages all eligible home and business owners to take advantage of this energy
efficiency program.
During 2011, Iowa City residents and businesses received $1,894,393 in energy
efficiency incentives. In the previous three years, energy efficiency incentive totals were
$1,898,517 in 2010, $1,175,517 in 2009, and $1,154,750 in 2008. For the four years
covered by this report, the total for residents and businesses is $6,123,177.
In addition to the energy efficiency benefits noted above, the University of Iowa last
year received energy efficiency dollars totaling $1,370,730. In 2010, that total was
$1,351,133, $1,832,993 in 2009, and $968,656 in 2008. The four -year total for the
university is $5,523,512.
For the most recent four -year period, MidAmerican Energy's energy efficiency
programs contributed $11,646,689 into the Iowa City economy.
Also in 2011, the company helped city officials land a federal grant that allowed for
targeted energy efficiency advertising to reach Iowa City homes and businesses. More than
$8,600 was spent through local radio and newspaper advertising (see accompanying
example — Exhibit 1).
United Way
MidAmerican Energy and its employees back United Way in several ways. In
addition to employees volunteering for various United Way committees, the company
makes a matching pledge corresponding to overall employee donations. Combined
Pa e 4 of 7
Iowa City Community Report
employee and company pledges for 2011 were approximately $19,857. Combined
employee /company pledges in 2010 were $21,000, $19,841 in 2009, and $17,999 in 2008.
ICARE
ICARE is an energy assistance program that helps customers who are unemployed,
living on fixed or low incomes or experiencing a family crisis. The program provides
assistance by helping these customers pay their heating bills or making their homes more
energy efficient. ICARE funding comes from donations by employees and customers with
a percentage match made by MidAmerican Energy. The ICARE program is annually
advertised to customers through quarterly newsletters, billing inserts or messages on
customer bills. The ICARE program also is supported internally by employees through the
company's ICARE — WE CARE campaign.
All donations are administered in Iowa City by Hawkeye Area Community Action
Program, Inc. (HACAP). To qualify, customers must meet the state's Low - Income Home
Energy Assistance Program guidelines. The 2011 donations from Iowa City customers and
the company's percentage match totaled $32,616. In 2010, that total was $34,485. The
2009 figures totaled $48,130 and the 2008 total was $33,831.
To ensure all the donated funds can be used for their intended purpose, the company
also pays administrative fees to HACAP.
Budget Billing
Although it is not a direct philanthropic program, MidAmerican Energy assists
customers by offering a budget - billing program. Customers sign up for a levelized,
payment plan based on past usage to allow for consistent payment; thereby, helping
household budgets during the peak heating and cooling seasons. At the end of calendar
year 2011, 11,872 customers were participating in the program, compared to 11,437
customers in 2010, 11,960 customers in 2009 and 11,590 customers in 2008.
Global Days of Service
MidAmerican Energy encourages employee volunteerism around the world, and
the company's Global Days of Service program allows employees to make our
communities better through personal volunteer work.
Pape 5 of 7
Iowa City Community Report
The company has a $250,000 matching fund to recognize employee volunteer
activities. These dollars are used to match efforts on behalf of organizations serving our
communities. The fund is divided among the organizations, based on the number of hours
that employees volunteer.
All organizations considered charitable or educational are eligible. For example,
any 501(c)(3) group or educational institution may receive funds. In addition, to recognize
the importance of volunteer fire departments and other public safety organizations to our
communities, these organizations are eligible regardless of 501(c)(3) status.
For 2011, 52.5 volunteer hours were submitted by MidAmerican Energy employees
in the Iowa City area and $283 was paid to eligible organizations. 'the amount paid to
eligible organizations was $212 in 2010, $698 in 2009, and $578 in 2008.
Matching Gift Program
MidAmerican Energy's Matching Gift Program encourages and supplements
financial support for eligible charitable organizations and educational institutions. This
program is made available to eligible, full and part-time employees through the
MidAmerican Energy Foundation.
MidAmerican's Foundation provides $100,000 annually to match donations by
employees. The $100,000 is used to match gifts by eligible persons on a first come, first
serve basis during the calendar year, up to the maximum of $1,500 per employee in any
calendar year.
Eligible organizations include most public or private college or university, including
graduate schools and junior colleges; alumni foundation or association of an eligible
institution; a tax- exempt foundation whose purpose is to support public or private
elementary and secondary education; or a tax - exempt organization providing cultural or
general community benefits and located in communities within the company's service
territory of Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska or South Dakota.
The aggregate total for the four years covered by this report is $113,640. For 2011,
donations from MidAmerican Energy employees in Iowa City totaled $18,550 and the
Foundation contributed an additional $13,408 for a total of $31,958. In 2010, donations
Page 6 of
Iowa City Community Report
from Iowa City employees and the company's match totaled $29,980; the 2009 total was
$29,018; and the 2008 total was $22,684.
Charitable Giving
MidAmerican also donates charitable giving and "in- kind" services to support a
wide range of community events and activities.
Contributions included:
• $10,000 sponsorship to the Summer of the Arts festival;
• $5,000 sponsorships each to the Iowa City Area Parade of Homes and Iowa
City Area Home and Builder Show;
• $2,500 donation to the Terry Trueblood Recreation Area;
• Grant funds to help distribute compact florescent light bulbs to Iowa City
residents (see accompanying documentation — Exhibit 2);
• Support for the Old Capitol Sertoma Club;
• University's Women's Leadership Conference;
• More than $5,000 to the Iowa City Chamber of Commerce;
• Johnson County Heritage Trust;
• And donations to three schools' after -prom activities.
MidAmerican Energy assisted environmental clean -up efforts through the donation
of work gloves and bio- degradable trash bags to various Iowa City organizations including
clean -up activities on the Iowa River and various neighborhood projects.
Work also was completed to place an overhead line underground to serve the North
Dodge Street fire station. The work was done at the company's expense of more than
$4,000.
Page 7 of 7
Iowa City Community Report
Miscellaneous Information
• MidAmerican is No. 1 in the nation among rate - regulated utilities in wind
generation ownership. By the end of 2012, the company is projected to have
2,284 megawatts of wind generation within the state — with 29 percent of its
total generation powered by wind.
• MidAmerican has again been named a Tree Lines USA Utility in recognition of
national leadership in caring for trees while meeting customer service
objectives. The recognition comes for the Arbor Day Foundation. To be
honored, MidAmerican meets or exceeds Tree Line USA requirements for
training workers in quality tree -care practices and helping customers plant
appropriate trees near utility lines.
• MidAmerican also supports the American Cancer Society through the
construction of Hope Lodge. MidAmerican's initial gift helped the Hope Lodge
campaign achieve the $2 million Gerdin Challenge and the $6 million
fundraising level needed to break ground. The final annual installment of
$100,000 (for a total five -year gift of $500,000), was completed in 2011.
Save Energy and
Money with a Home
Energy Audit
Reduce your energy bills with a free HomeCheck®
energy audit from MidAmerican Energy. Saving money
can be as a simple as making a few small changes around
the house. Visit us at www.midamericonenergy.com/
homeoudit to take an online energy audit, or call us at
800- 545 -0762 to schedule a free HomeCheck energy
audit with a MidAmerican energy specialist.
Your HomeCheck expert may provide free energy.
efficient improvements, such as low wattage light bulbs,
low -flow showerheads and energy- saving faucet aerators.
If additional insulation is needed, your home may
qualify for insulation rebates.
For more information or to see if your home qualifies for a
free HomeCheck energy audit, call us of 800 -545 -0762.
MidAmerican
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November 9, 2011
Michelle Payne
Community Contact Volunteer
MidAmerican Energy Co.
1630 Lower Muscatine Rd.
Iowa City, IA 52240
? -L
moms
CITY OF IOWA CITY
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City. Iowa 52240 -1826
(3 19) 356 -5000
(319) 356 SD09 FAX
ww,cgo,org
Re: MidAmerican Community Grant Request - University of Iowa Student Government
(USIG) Distribution of Compact Florescent Light Bulb
Dear Michelle:
I have been in contact with Kelsey Zlevor, USIG Sustainability Initiatives Advocate for the
University of Iowa Student Government over the past few weeks regarding their request for
my assistance in connecting potential eligible Iowa City residents with a program designed
to distribute compact florescent light bulbs to Iowa City residents. As you can see from their
attached letter, they are interested in providing these light bulbs to low /moderate income
families, elderly and handicapped in an effort to reduce their electricity usage and decrease
their utility expenses. As you may recall, a similar project was coordinated by the UISG and
almost 500 CFL light bulbs were distributed to residents in the Forest View Mobile Home
Park and Ecumenical Towers. MidAmerican Community Grant funding enabled 72
additional CFL bulbs to be distributed as part of this project.
I intend to work with Kelsey and other UISG members to connect with eligible households
by working with the Public Housing Authority, neighborhood associations and other local
agencies who may provide a distribution resource for this program. As you can see, they
have secured funding from UISG and Office of Sustainability and are asking for additional
assistance through the MidAmerican Community Grant.
I'm excited to work with UISG and all the students in this effort and see it as a wonderful
opportunity to create positive relationships between students and neighbors. Please let me
know if you have questions or if there is additional information that you may need.
Thank you in advance for consideration of this request.
Marcia Bollinger
Neighborhood Services Coordinator
City of Iowa City
319 - 356 -5237
IP7
JANE JACOBS WALK
� / walk observe connecf
ai ,!
WHEN: Saturday, May 5 at 3 p.m.
WHERE: Meet on the Pedestrian Mall
at Dubuque and Washington Streets
WHY: To explore the built environment of Iowa City
The neighborhood south of downtown has been changing substantially over the past ten years,
and will do so even more over the coming years. Participants on the tour will be encouraged to
see the present and planned neighborhood through the eyes of social theorist Jane Jacobs, and to
suggest alternations that would make it into an even more attractive, diverse, and livable place.
Join City Councilman Jim Throgmorton and other special guests for a walk and discussion. The
tour will end at Fair Grounds Coffeehouse at 345 South Dubuque Street. Feel free to linger and
chat! The tour will take approximately 2 hours, and will occur rain or shine.
Sponsored by:
IOWA CITY
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5<Aonl of
Urban &
UNESCO
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Regional
CITY OF
CITY OF IOWA CITY
Planning
LITERATURE
Visit us online at www .facebook.com /JanesWalklowaCity
rTrmTri
IP8
Marian Karr
From: Tom Markus
Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2012 9:24 AM
To; Marian Karr
Subject: FW: MidAmerican Energy Info
Attachments: 2012 About Us.pdf; 2012 wind_generation_cutsheet.pdf; elec_prices_ind.pdf
Please add the attachments to the info pack.
From: Payne, Michelle L ( mailto:MLPayne @midamerican.comj
Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2012 9:16 AM
To: Jim Throgmorton
Cc: Tom Markus
Subject: MidAmerican Energy Info
Jim — attached is some info regarding MidAmerican's generation and electric prices
My understanding is that even though the coal indicates 52% as a whole (being at 100% generation
capacity), on any given day the wind is actually about 37% so it decreases the amount of coal we
rely upon.
Michelle
— MidAmerican
ENERGY
ORSESSIVELV RELENTLESSLVAT YOUR iEl Wf.
MidAmerican Energy Rates
Industrial
MidAmerican Energy Company understands that you depend on us to provide safe, reliable and
affordable electricity, and we constantly strive to increase efficiency and implement
improvements that maintain the reliability of our service while keeping your costs low. As a
result, our Iowa base electric rates have remained stable since 1995, more than 16 years.
MidAmerican Energy Company is preparing to file an application with the Iowa Utilities Board for
approval to add two adjustment clauses to its Iowa customers' bills. The modest increase is
necessary in order for the company to comply with expensive environmental requirements and
because of increasing energy production costs. If approved as requested, the two adjustment
clauses would go into effect March 2012, with an average annual increase in customers' bills of
approximately 3 to 4 percent.
Meanwhile, among investor -owned utilities, MidAmerican's industrial electric rates remain
among the lowest in the region, as shown on the graph below:
Investor -Owned Utilities - Average Industrial Electric 2010
(Reglanaq
Comparing 113 different investor -owned utilities with 139 different pricing structures (i.e.
utilities that provide service in multiple states) MidAmerican's industrial electric rates are
among the lowest 2% of investor -owned utilities in the nation, as shown on the graph on the
next page.
December 2011
MidAmerican
ENERGY
OBSESSIVELY, RELENTLESSLYIY YOUR SERVICE.
Investor -Owned Utilities • Average Industrial Electric Prices 2010
(National)
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In addition, while the price of natural gas MidAmerican Energy purchases and supplies to
customers at cost has risen in recent years, the rate the company charges for the delivery of
the natural gas, which is set by state utility regulators, has been the same since 2001.
December 2011
MidAmerican
■N[RGY
OBSESSIVELY RELENTLESSLY AT YOUR SERVICE.
About Us
At MidAmerican Energy Company, we take our slogan - Obsessively, relentlessly at your
service - seriously. No matter what the task, our award - winning team is here to serve
you.
MidAmerican is the largest utility in Iowa and is strategically located in the middle of
several major markets in the Midwest. We provide service to more than 725,000 electric
customers and more than 707,000 natural gas customers in a 10,600 square -mile area
from Sioux Falls, S. D., to the Quad Cities area of Iowa and Illinois. The largest
communities served by MidAmerican are Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Sioux City,
Waterloo, Iowa City and Council Bluffs, Iowa; the Quad Cities area of Iowa and Illinois;
and Sioux Falls, S. D.
Our Generation Mix
At the end of 2010, MidAmerican had available for its electric customers nearly 7,048
megawatts of owned and conducted generating capability: approximately 52 percent
fueled by coal; 21 percent natural gas and oil; 20 percent wind, hydroelectric & biomass
and 7 percent nuclear.
Natural Gas
& Oil
21%
Coal
52%
December 2011
JUST THE FACTS
MidAmerican Energy Iowa Wind- Powered Electric Generation
MidAmerican Energy Company is
No. 1 in the U.S. in ownership of
wind - powered electric generation
among rate - regulated utilities.
In December 2009, MidAmerican
Energy received approval from the
Iowa Utilities Board to add up to
1,001 megawatts of wind - powered
generation prior to 2013. Projects
totaling 593.4 megawatts will be
completed by year -end 2011.
Go to www.midamericanenergy.com
to take a guided virtual tour through
a wind facility and experience how
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for homes and businesses.
Wind Projects Owned by MidAmerican Energy Company
• 29.9 megawatts • 75 megawatts
• 13 turbines • 50 turbines
• 256.5 megawatts — - 200 megawatts
• 171 turbines n� • 145 turbines
• 175.5 megawatts — u • 52 119.6
to megawatts
• 122 turbines • 52 tu�awatt bin" 4
IOWA �° • 0.5 • 99 megawatts
• 66 turbines • 1 turbine
• 150 megawatts V/ / i�a • 174.8 megawatts
• 100 turbines r • 76 turbines
• 153 megawatts V MIEAmerlcan Energy Com,n
• 102 turbines
Buena Vista and Sac counties
Pocahontas and Calhoun counties
a Crawford and Carroll counties
Pottawattamie County
Adair, Adams and Cass counties
ny S.M.. Tertltory • 443.9 megawatts
• 193 turbines"
Floyd County
Wright and Hamilton counties
Polk County
Marshall County
New Construction In 2011 Total = 1,877 megawatts (year -end 2011)
MidAmerican
ENERGYo
November 2011 v .midamericanenergy.com
MINUTES PRELIMINARY
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
MARCH 28, 2012 — 5:15 PM
CITY HALL, EMMA HARVAT HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Larry Baker, Brock Grenis, Will Jennings, Caroline Sheerin
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Sarah Walz, Sarah Holecek
OTHERS PRESENT: None
RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY COUNCIL:
None.
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 5:15 PM.
ROLL CALL: All were present.
CONSIDERATION OF THE FEBRUARY 8, 2012 MEETING MINUTES:
Jennings moved to approve the minutes for February 8, 2012.
Bakerseconded.
A vote was taken and the motion carried 40.
EXC12- 00002: Discussion an application submitted by Steven Sacks for a special exception to
allow a reduction of the required front yard setback for property located in the Low Density
Single - Family (RS -5) zone at 1215 Pickard Street.
Walz explained that Pickard Street is very low- volume and not connected to any arterial streets.
She said that the lots in this neighborhood are typically very small but the area in general does
not have a dense atmosphere such as a downtown area would have. She said the applicant has
indicated that the nine foot wide garage on the house is not practical to accommodate a car.
She said that the applicant would like to make the garage interior into part of the living space.
Board of Adjustment
March 28, 2012
Page 2 of 8
Walz said that the Code requires the principal building setback in this neighborhood to be 19.5
feet, based on setback averaging. She explained that the current Code requires a single family
use to have off - street parking space for one vehicle, and that would typically be provided in the
garage. She explained that the Code does not allow the required parking within the principal
building setback. She said that because this applicant wants to turn the garage into living space,
he is seeking a reduction in the front principal building setback in order to provide the required
off - street parking in the driveway.
Walz explained that location standards for parking in the single - family zones are intended to
ensure that parking areas are located to prevent drainage onto adjoining properties. She noted
that this house and driveway are set back more than five feet from the neighboring property.
She said another location standard is to prevent vehicles from blocking sidewalks and to ensure
that front yard areas remain free of large parking areas that detract from the residential
character of the neighborhood. She said other location standards are to enhance public safety
for residents and visitors by lining streets with active living spaces, ensuring that there is a
physical and visual connection between the living area of the residence and the street, and to
enhance the pedestrian- oriented character of the neighborhood by preventing blank facades
and large expanses of concrete along the street. Walz said that staff believes this can be done
while allowing the parking in the front setback because the garage that will become interior
space is actually set back 25 feet from the property line or the street right of way line and is set
back 32.5 feet from the sidewalk, which is within the street right of way. She explained that the
Code requires a garage entrance to be a minimum of 25 feet from the street right of way line in
order to provide space for parking. She said there is ample room at this property to allow
parking without blocking the sidewalk.
Walz said that a standard parking is 18 feet in length, and there is 25 feet available in this case
and the driveway is set back more than the three required feet and because the neighborhood is
characterized by ample space between houses, this is not a situation where there is a visibility
issue for someone backing out or for pedestrians. She said staff is recommending approvable
subject to the condition that the reduction is for the purpose of satisfying the parking location
standard only and does not allow for any expansion of the house into the required setback.
Sheerin invited discussion.
Baker asked if this special exception adheres to the property rather than the owner. Walz
replied that this is true.
Baker asked that if this property were to be eventually used as a rental would it require a
different parking standard.
Walz explained that depending on how many bedrooms are in the house they would have to
provide a different number of parking spaces, and in this case they can only rent two bedrooms.
Holecek clarified that the Code required one -half space per bedroom.
Baker asked if it's the parking that restricts the number of people. Walz and Holecek affirmed
this.
Jennings asked if this was ever intended to be a real garage because it appears that it was
designed as a garage in name only. Walz explained that it was designed at a time when cars
Board of Adjustment
March 28, 2012
Page 3 of 8
were smaller.
Jennings said it seems more like a feature for storage and that it was always intended for the
car to be parked on the driveway.
Baker noted that in his house that was built in 1922, there was a free - standing garage in the
back that wasn't any bigger than the space being considered, and couldn't be used for a car.
Walz said she thinks perhaps people let passengers out and then pulled into the garage. She
noted that there are many small garages like these in the Longfellow and Northside
neighborhoods.
Jennings said that many of them were intended to be used for wagons or for horses when they
were built, but that he doesn't know of any time when someone would have built a nine foot
entryway for a garage and that it was intended for storage but that it has the design features of
a garage.
Walz explained that you are not prohibited from parking on your driveway.
Baker asked if the applicant has to do this because he's going to get a building permit. Walz
affirmed this.
Jennings asked if a place like this were to be rented is there a limit even if there are the
bedrooms and the driveway is long enough to the number of cars that can be parked nose to
front.
Walz explained that situation is called stacking, and it is illegal to park across the sidewalk. She
said if you owned three very small cars and could figure out a way to stack them on your
property side of the sidewalk you could do that. She said neither could you park on your grass in
the front yard.
Sheerin opened public hearing.
Sheerin closed public hearing.
Sheerin invited discussion.
Jennings moved to approve the application submitted by Steven Sacks EXC12 -00002 to
reduce the front principal building setback from 19.5 feet to seven feet to allow a required
parking space to be located along the driveway for a single - family use located in the Low
Density Single - Family (RS -5) zone at 1215 Pickard Street subject to the conditions that
the setback reduction is for the purpose of satisfying the parking location standards only
and does not allow for any expansion of the building into the required setback.
Grenis seconded.
Sheerin submitted her specific findings.
The specific standards that the Board feels are satisfied are:
1. The situation is peculiar to the property in question because the attached garage is
approximately 9 feet wide, makeing it difficult to use for storing a standard size car or larger.
Board of Adjustment
March 28, 2012
Page 4 of 8
2. There is practical difficulty in complying with the setback requirements because the Zoning
Code requires one off - street parking space for single - family uses' in the RS -5 zone, but does
not allow the required parking space to be located within the front principal building setback,
and, here, because the garage is small, the applicant stores his car on the driveway.
3. Granting the exception will not be contrary to the purpose of the setback regulations. For
this application the standards that are appropriate relate to the location standards for
parking in a single - family zone and here the application is in keeping with these standards
because the standard for parking space is 18 feet in length, and under the current Code
driveways that lead to a garage are required to be a minimum of 25 feet in length. In this
case the street right of way line is located 25 feet from the garage and the sidewalk is
located 32.5 feet from the garage so there is plenty of room to park the car in the driveway
without blocking the sidewalk. The driveway is set back more than the required three feet
from the side property line, and in this particular neighborhood there is ample space
between the buildings and the driveways. The subject frontage is 267 feet in length and has
just three homes, so there should be plenty of room in this neighborhood for this kind of
exception.
4. For the reasons above, the potential negative effects resulting from the setback exception
are mitigated to the extent practical.
5. The subject building will be located no closer than three feet to a side or rear property line
as noted above.
Jennings submitted his general standards.
The general standards the Board feels are satisfied are:
1. The proposed exception will not be detrimental to or endanger the public health, safety,
comfort or general welfare because the front property line is located 25 feet from the garage,
and the sidewalk is located 32.5 from the garage. Because a standard parking space is 18
feet in length, under current Code driveways that lead to a garage are required to be a
minimum of 25 feet in length in order to minimize the opportunity for vehicles to be parked
across the sidewalk. There is adequate space here for a car to be parked and not block the
sidewalk. Pickard is a low- volume street only two blocks in length and does not intersect
with any collector or arterial streets, and only 10 homes front onto the entire length of
Pickard Street running between Kirkwood Court and Friendly Avenue (both residential
streets), so pedestrian and vehicular traffic along the street is characterized as low- volume.
2. The specific proposed exception will not be injurious to the use and enjoyment of other
property in the immediate vicinity and will not substantially diminish or impair property values
in the neighborhood. The Board finds that the proposed setback reduction is solely for the
purpose of allowing required parking to be located on the existing driveway that the current
occupant is using for this purpose now. The house itself would not expand further toward the
neighboring properties or toward the street right -of -way and the subject house satisfies all
building setback requirements for the zone in which it is located.
3. The Board finds that the establishment of the specific proposed exception does not impede
the normal and orderly development and improvement of the surrounding property for uses
permitted in the zone in which such property is located. Those reasons are covered under
the first two criteria of general standards #1 and #2.
Board of Adjustment
March 28, 2012
Page 5 of 8
4. The Board finds that the subject neighborhood is fully developed with all of its necessary
access roads, drainage and other facilities and alleys so those are in place and already
provided.
5. The subject property is a single - family resident and does not generate significant traffic so
therefore adequate measures have been or will be taken to provide ingress or egress
designed so as to minimize traffic congestion on public streets.
6. Except for the specific regulations and standards applicable to the exception being
considered, the specific proposed exception, in all other respects, conforms to the
applicable regulations or standards of the zone in which it is to be located. It conforms to
the applicable regulations for single - family residences in the RS -5 zone, and the applicant
will be required to secure a building permit to convert the garage to living space. The Board
finds that this special exception is not concerned with the details of the conversion of that
space other than the implications it has for the required parking.
7. The proposed use will be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, as amended, and the
Board find this so.
Grenis added that for general standard #2 the Board had received a letter from the next door
neighbor supporting the exception so that perhaps would strengthen the argument that it won't
diminish surrounding property values.
A vote was taken and the motion carried 4-0.
DISCUSSION ITEM
Board discussion of a proposal to seek clarification from the Planning & Zoning Commission
and City Council regarding the criteria for a special exception to allow off -site parking in a
municipal parking facility for residential uses in the downtown commercial zones.
Walz explained that after reviewing pertinent minutes and talking with staff, she is asking staff
and Planning and Zoning Commission to help the Board clarify several key issues. She said the
first issue is how the Board is to interpret "substantiate" because the key to the special
exception is that the Director of Planning and Community Development and the Director of
Transportation Services substantiate that there is adequate space in the ramp. She said the
second issues is how the Board is to evaluate the general criteria whether the special exception
impedes normal and orderly development and improvement of surrounding properties for uses
permitted in the zone because once the pool of available parking dwindles, at some point,
something may impede development. Walz said the third issue is how much discretion the
Board has, if any, in reviewing the specifics of the development being proposed, for example,
how it contributes to the diversity of downtown housing. She said the other area is the question
of the meaning of pedestrian- oriented. She said she believes that staff can with the next
application provide clarification as to what that term means in regard to the downtown. She said
the Board will have an application on the April agenda that will be seeking off -site parking so if
they need clarification, the discussion should focus on criteria and what the Board's authority is
and not on personal feelings about parking or development downtown.
Jennings said his concerns on interpretation focus on how this parking relates to housing. He
said that in Tower Place and the former Old Capital Mall, there is specific assignation of specific
Board of Adjustment
March 28, 2012
Page 6 of 8
parking spaces for specific uses, which allocation is based on some zoning or level of request of
use. He said that for two prior applications for exception, the definition or terms by which these
parking spaces were being assigned changed radically. Jennings noted that in the first
application regarding the Gilbert Street property where Happy Joe's used to be, the parking
spaces were not tied to individual apartments or tenants, but were only associated with the
property owner who was granted these parking space, but if said owner did not sell them to
members in that apartment building was then able to sell them to other people elsewhere.
Walz stated that they had changed that.
Jennings said in the second application they wanted these parking spaces to be assigned to a
specific tenant who must reside at that specific address. He said he needs clarification about the
spirit or intent of attaching parking to residents and anytime they say that in other
neighborhoods you actually have to have a real live parking spot that has to exist for that
vehicle. But in this case, you just have to have a permit which sort of a promissory note saying if
no one has taken that space, then odds are there will be one there for you, but it's not an actual
allocation of a physical space. He said he is concerned that the original intent of having a zoning
restriction of parking associated with residents especially rental properties and larger rental
units must provide so many spaces per bedroom that the intent of that is to assert incentive or
influence over what can or can't reasonably be developed in any site and once that begins to
move off -site they are no longer working with the original intent.
Walz explained that until 2 or 3 years ago any residential development in the downtown required
no parking, in fact, developers were discouraged from providing any parking. She said the
remedy was that the Code was changed to require some parking but that the parking could be
provided in the ramps because there are properties downtown that can't accommodate parking.
The idea wasn't that a particular space would be assigned or reserved for a particular person
but that somehow within the City system of municipal parking we were accounting for demand.
Jennings said he understands Watz s explanation but what he is very, very concerned about is
what may or may not result as unintended consequences. He said in his neighborhood where
they are close to dorms and where first -year students who bring cars are assigned parking
spaces so far away that they have no incentive to use the space they are provided so they park
in the neighborhoods nearby, which has a tremendous impact on the neighborhoods.
Walz declared that she understands what Jennings is saying but that is part of the legislative
process.
Jennings said that if someone wanted to build a 20 -story building but in order to do it they would
need to provide eight stories below for underground parking, then that would make their costs
prohibitive. But if they could get that parking put in the ramp next door, then they will build the
20 -story building. It's beyond the purview here, but if the Board is approving an exception for a
20 -story building where only 10 are allowed, would they even be faced with that.
Walz said that she thinks this is precisely why Council made the special exception because they
wanted development, and they wanted parking to be accounted for, but on many, many parcels
it would be impossible to provide.
Holecek said that is accurate.
Board of Adjustment
March 28, 2012
Page 7 of 8
Walz said the reason for that is not the purview of the Board. She said it was the Council's
decision to separate those two things. She said that they want to clarify how they substantiate
that there is enough space in the ramp so that 9 times out of 10 the person is going to find
space.
Jennings said that often when we consider urban parking we think of a model where people live
downtown and it's inconvenient to take your car downtown, so you park your car and you leave
it there unless you're going away from downtown and often the car stays parked more than it's
used. That's not how it works in dense areas between community and campus. He would like to
see the grounds they are using to articulate what they mean by substantiate. What are they
using as metrics, because that does go to an issue of safety. He said that they will give 60
parking spaces in an apartment in a parking ramp predicated on expecting people to park it
there and leave it most of the time when in fact those cars are going and coming frequently. He
wants to know what the baseline presumptions or assumptions are when they use these words,
otherwise, he feels that when these applications come before the Board, it's just a formality to
approve recommendation and there is nothing to be done about it and they don't even know
why they are hearing the exception.
Baker asked if when the Board grants off -site parking the property owner literally buys a parking
permit.
Walz explained that the residents of the building granted a special exception have an
opportunity to purchase permits held for anyone who proves they are a resident of the building.
She said that the permits are tied to the residents.
Baker asked if someone working downtown buys a permit to park in a ramp gets an assigned
spot.
Walz said there are some assigned spots in the ramps that have been negotiated as part of
economic development and other relationships with the university but those are minimal. She
said the number of permits they sell is based on making sure that the ramp is not full.
Baker asked if they would ever sell out a ramp with permits.
Walz declared they would not.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT INFORMATION:
Walz said that there will be four applications for special exceptions before the Board at the next
meeting, only one of which is for parking. She explained that by that time there may be a fifth
Board member.
ADJOURNMENT:
Jennings moved to adjourn.
Baker seconded.
The meeting was adjourned on a 4 -0 vote.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
ATTENDANCE RECORD
2011
NAME
TERM
EXPIRES
1/11
2/08
3/28
Larry Baker
01/01/17
X
X
X
Brock Grenis
01/2016
X
X
X
Will Jennings
01/2015
O/E
X
X
Caroline Sheerin
01/2013
X
I O/E
I X
KEY: X = Present
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
NM = No meeting /No Quorum
- -- = Not a Member
MIES
MINUTES PRELIMINARY
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MARCH 22, 2012 — 6:30 PM
EMMA HARVAT HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Andrew Chappell, Michelle Bacon Curry, Scott Dragoo, Charles
Drum, Jarrod Gatlin, Holly Jane Hart, Jim Jacobson, Rachel
Zimmermann Smith
MEMBERS ABSENT: Cheryl[ Clamon
STAFF PRESENT: Tracy Hightshoe, David Purdy, Jeff Vanatter
OTHERS PRESENT: Zari Wilken, Jeffery Ford, Heather Harney, Mary Palmberg, Becci
Reedus, Beth Ritter Rubach, Bruce Teague, Roger Lusala, Mark
Patton, Maryann Dennis, StephenTrefz
RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE CITY COUNCIL:
The Commission voted 8 -0 to make the following recommendations to City
Council for the FY13 CDBG /HOME funding:
Housing
Requested
Amount
HCDC
Recommendation
CHARM Homes LLC - Rental Housing
$61,650
$61,650
CJs Construction, Inc. — Rental Housing
$650,000
$0
Hawkeye Area Comm. Action Program — Rental Rehab.
$360,000
$290,014
The Housing Fellowship — CHDO Operating Funds
$20,630
$19,260
The Housing Fellowship — Rental Housing
$258,239
$0
Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity - Homeownership
$120,000
$0
Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity - Owner - occupied Rehab.
$90,000
$90,000
City of Iowa City — Owner- occupied Rehabilitation
$220,000
$200,000
Successful Living — Rental Rehabilitation
$300,000
$0
Housing Total
$2,080,519
$660,924
Public Facilities
Community Mental Health Center - Accessibility
$163,564
$100,000
Crisis Center of Johnson County — Rehabilitation
$300,400
$160,000
Domestic Violence Intervention Program - Facility Rehab.
$172,076
$172,076
Extend the Dream /PATV — Facility Rehabilitation
$26,360
$0
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
March 22, 2012
PAGE 2 of 12
HACAP - Playground
$40,000
$40,000
Mayor's Youth — Facility Rehab.
$119,424
$0
MECCA - Facility Rehabilitation
$339,767
$12,500
NCJC — Facility Rehab.
$111,500
$111,500
Public Facilities Total
$1,273,091
$596,076
TOTAL REQUESTED:
$3,353,610
$1,257,000
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order by Chair Andrew Chappell at 6:30 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA:
None.
STAFF /COMMISSION COMMENT:
Hightshoe explained that Single Family New Construction Round 4 Development Plan was
submitted to the Iowa Economic Development Authority, and in the next couple of weeks staff
will know if it was approved. Round 4 will provide acquisition assistance to an additional 33
homes for income eligible homebuyers. She explained that this is a flood recovery program to
make up for the homes bought due to the flood of 2008. The program assists the City in
replacing lost tax base in addition to providing affordable homeownership. She said that so far
108 homes have been allocated to Iowa City. All are built and sold except for 15 in a new
subdivision. Construction to be complete on these 15 homes this summer. She said the selling
price on the Round 4 homes is capped at $150,000 and buyers must be at or below 80% of
median income. In reply to a Commission member question, she said that these are federal
Community Block Grant dollars that was awarded to the State due to the disasters of 2008
(floods). It is a state program and the City is a recipient based on the State's guidelines and
restrictions.
Jacobson asked if the people who were bought out have the right of first refusal. Hightshoe
explained that more first time home buyers than flood victims applied for these homes because
the flood victims had other programs for assistance and had already relocated by the time the
Single Family New Construction Program was announced /available.
PUBLIC MEETING:
Discussion Regarding FY13 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and
HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) Requests
• Discuss FY13 CDBG \HOME Applications
• Develop FY13 CDBG \HOME Budget Recommendation to Council
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
March 22, 2012
PAGE 3 of 12
Chappell said that on the allocation worksheet several of the applications are bolded because
they are considered by CITY STEPS to be high priority. He explained that Hightshoe has
directed the Commission to go through those applications first.
Habitat for Humanity Owner Rehab
Chappell said they requested $90,000. He said that the allocation worksheets reflect some
changes from three Commission members. He suggested they pencil in the full $90,000, a high
priority.
Drum asked about how Bacon Curry had arrived at her allocation.
Bacon Curry explained that she had funded one home by funding half and when she discovered
that Community Mental Health didn't need quite as much for the elevator, she parceled out that
difference.
There was a consensus to make the preliminary allocation $90,000.
Charm Homes LLC. Rental.
Chappell said they requested $61,650, and there were four Commission members supportive of
full funding. He asked if anyone had changed their minds or wanted to discuss anything.
Jacobson asked what rationale the other Commission members had for their funding
recommendations on this one.
Chappell said Charm Homes was one of his top three or four, for whom he recommended full
funding, while he recommended no funding for his bottom three or four and he allocated some
percentage of their requests for the ones in the middle range.
Zimmerman Smith said she liked that it was rehab of existing homes and that she was trying to
do as much rehab as she could this time around rather than new construction. She also said
that this one, like Habitat, does pay property taxes.
Chappell said that this project in particular leverages quite a bit of private funding as well.
There was a consensus to preliminarily allocate $61,650 to Charm Homes.
City of Iowa City, Owner Rehab
Chappell said that there was a consensus to fund at least $200,000 of their requested
$220,000.
Gatlin said that everyone has agreed to fund it at some level and he thinks $200,000 or close to
the average of $185,000 would be agreeable to him.
Zimmerman Smith said the average doesn't really reflect the will of the majority, as there are
four members recommending funding at a higher level.
Jacobson's said he thought that funding for half of the requested amount would be a good
starting point. He wanted to know the rationales for the higher levels by the other Commission
members.
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
March 22, 2012
PAGE 4 of 12
Zimmerman Smith explained that it is a rehab project to help a neighborhood and the City will
not be getting funding from any other sources this year and it's for owner - occupied houses,
which allows people who might otherwise not be able to afford to invest in the neighborhood.
Bacon Curry questioned if fully funded, is it still a cut to the overall program. Hightshoe said that
the Rehab. program is allocated $200,000 through a Council set aside that is derived from a
percentage of the CDBG and HOME entitlement. Funding from HUD has continued to decrease
over the last several years, so Rehab's allocation has continually gotten smaller. This amount
limits the number of projects they can do. She said that in past years they received
approximately $400,000 to $500,000. Last year they were allocated about $300,000.
Chappell said that he thought Bacon Curry's point was that the funding that is requested is
really to get them to a status quo. Vanatter affirmed that is true. There was a consensus to use
$200,000 as a starting point.
The Housing Fellowship, Rental
Chappell said that it was previously understood by the Commission that it was an all or nothing
deal, which is why he chose to allocate nothing to them. He said that the chart Maryann Dennis
from The Housing Fellowship provided to them makes it clear that they could make their project
work with $150,000.
Dennis affirmed this.
Hart said that this time as she was distributing the money, she was focusing more on rehab.
Chappell said he knows that other members had allocated nothing to The Housing Fellowship
because they had been told that it was all or nothing. He said that even with the revised amount,
he would still recommend partial funding less than $150,000. The Commission agreed to assign
no money to The Housing Fellowship as a starting point.
The Housing Fellowship, CHDO.
Hightshoe said they had received the City's final HOME allocation from HUD. The maximum
amount the City can allocate to this project is $19,260. The Commission agreed to make
$19,260 the starting amount.
Chappell said HACAP rental rehab had a consensus among the members of at least $200,000.
He suggested that they make the preliminary allocation equal to Hart's recommendation of
$200,000.
Zimmerman Smith asked if HACAP could go forward on their project with that amount.
Harney responded that they could do the exterior, but would need more to work on the kitchen
and central air and new furnaces. The Commission agreed to make $200,000 the starting point.
CJ's Construction Inc., Rental
Chappell said they had asked for $650,000. He asked if anyone of the five who had
recommended no funding had changed their minds. No one had.
Successful Living, Rental Rehab
Chappell asked if any of the four who had recommended funding nothing had changed their
minds. Jacobson asked why other members were at zero funding.
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
March 22, 2012
PAGE 5 of 12
Bacon Curry said that it was a beautiful location and bones of a home that would probably be
worth quite a bit on the private market, and she thought they might be better off selling it. She
said it would require substantial investment and that the requested $300,000 for improvements
doesn't even cover the things you can see that need improved upon.
Zimmerman Smith said they did allocate to another Successful Living home. She said they do a
great service but that particular property needed too much in funds.
The Commission agreed to make no funding allocations as their starting point.
Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County
Chappell said they had requested $111,500 and five members had recommended full funding.
No one had changed their minds, and the Commission agreed to make $111,500 their starting
point.
The Crisis Center
Chappell noted that this got mixed levels of funding. He said there is a consensus to
recommend some funding up to $160,000.
Zimmerman Smith asked to get an update on where the project stands right now. Reedus said
they have met with all the supervisors and they are confident that they are going to be able to
proceed with the project.
Zimmerman Smith asked how partial funding would affect their bid.
Reedus said they asked for $300,400 which she thinks is about one -third of the rehab costs.
She said there will probably be donated labor and materials. She said they can move forward
with less support than the requested amount. She said the County really wants to see support
from the City and the investment in this project by the community is one of the criteria they are
looking at.
Jacobsen asked if the project doesn't proceed, what happens to the funds. Hightshoe replied
that it would depend on the amount the Commission allocates. She said that if it's a substantial
amount there would be a mid -year allocation for those funds. She said that if only $50,000 was
allocated, then they would just wait for next year and reallocate at that point.
Chappell said the current consensus number of $60,000 would be considered. Jacobson asked
if the requested amount was for purchase and rehab. Reedus said it would be just for rehab.
She said if there's going to be a purchase; the Crisis Center will purchase the building.
Chappell asked Drum if $160,000 was still where he was at and Drum confirmed that it was.
Chappell said they would start at this number because it's the number at which there are four
votes.
HACAP
Chappell said they are requesting $40,000 and they have received six votes for full funding.
Hart said she would be willing to change her allocation from zero. Zimmerman Smith said that
if the Commission is going to give them $40,000 then maybe it would better put in kitchens and
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
March 22, 2012
PAGE 6of12
housing because playgrounds would be easier to get donated materials and supplies for. She
asked Harney if she has a preference if $40,000 extra is put into housing project versus the
playground project.
Harney replied that the playground would be easier to do a capital campaign for than the
interiors of the building, but she doesn't know if the interiors are as needed as the playground.
She said that they could probably go either way on that.
Community Mental Health Center
Chappell said they requested $183,564 but that the Commission had been informed that the
organization had come into $20,000 of funding, so their request was down by that amount. He
said he would not be able to recommend $160,000 as partial funding. He said he would
probably be in the $60,000 range if he allocated funds, and the reason he didn't was because
they were all or nothing at the time.
The Commission agreed that their starting point would be zero.
MECCA. Facility Rehab
Chappell said they requested $339,767 and the allocation recommendations are mixed. He said
that Drum was the highest at $171,000 and there would be consensus at about $12,500.
Gatlin said that the $12,500 would be for the cameras.
Hart said that was her thinking as well.
Extend the Dream
Chappell said there is not a consensus for funding.
Chappell said they had requested an additional $35,000 and he asked Hightshoe how much
was eligible. Hightshoe said $26,360 was eligible as any type of portable or personal equipment
is a public service expense and is not eligible as a public facility.
Hart said she was interested in advocating for the accessibility upgrades for both Extend the
Dream and PATV.
Habitat for Humanity, Home Ownership
Chappell said that for him they were middle of the road ranking -wise. He said he's usually only
comfortable if they fund one project fully, and he's fairly consistent in not funding two projects,
especially given the amount of funds they have this year.
Hart said she had similar thoughts to Chappell on this one. Chappell said he thought some
members had preferences for taking care of existing housing stock.
Drum said they also seem to have a lot on their plate. Chappell added that they might also
have the $90,000 from this round on their plate as well.
Domestic Violence Intervention Program (DVIP)
Chappell said they had requested $172,076.
Hart said she would support full funding. Jacobson said he was about half of what was the
average allocation. Chappell said he had recommended $60,000 reflective of where they were
on his rankings, and he assumed they could do something with that.
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
March 22, 2012
PAGE 7of12
Drum advocated for the project and stressed its importance in assisting families in crisis with
daily activities. Hart said she had only funded flooring, trying to allocate more funds around, but
the question was whether they needed all of the kitchen improvements. She didn't think if they
went to the alternative model that they would save that much.
Jacobson asked about CITY STEPS rankings and why facilities for the homeless were not high
priorities. Hightshoe explained that sometimes a low or medium priority does not mean that it's
not needed in the community. She said that when they were compiling CITY STEPS, they had
just funded the new shelter and previously funded DVIP. The commission and Council may
have felt that they had already met a lot of the shelter's physical needs, so it got rated a medium
priority. It does not mean that the service provided is not needed.
Chappell said that ultimately an organization gets a priority ranking because at some point an
HCDC Commission decided that was the priority and City Council adopted that
recommendation.
Hightshoe said that battered, abused spouses for public services ranked only a medium so if the
Commission is interested in changing that, there is the annual review when the priorities are
considered. She explained that in the past, everything was ranked a high priority, so it was
difficult to prioritize.
Gatlin said he is unwilling to consider moving his number but he wanted to look at some of the
rental housing applications because the Commission is leaning toward funding a lot of rehab
and hasn't funded much rental. He said he thinks it's incredibly important and suggested that
the Commission take a look at that.
Bacon Curry said she is okay with putting in $172,000 for DVIP for now and then seeing how
much would be left.
Gatlin explained that he would like to advocate for more, new rental and increase the stock
because they have done a lot of rehab in the last two years.
Mayor's Youth
Chappell said at this point there is not a consensus to fund this application. He said he thinks it's
a nice facility and a great organization and they have gotten a fair amount of funding in the past
several years. Gatlin said he would be okay with changing his number to get a consensus at
zero.
Chappell said this was time to talk about the considering changes in allocation.
Gatlin said he was considering funding $150,000 to The Housing Fellowship for Rental Housing.
Bacon Curry said that the neighborhood for this site is surrounded by affordable housing
already. She said that all of the housing is a mix of rental and owner occupied. Town and
Campus is in close proximity.
Gatlin asked if the same thing couldn't be said about HACAP.
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
March 22, 2012
PAGE 8 of 12
Bacon Curry said that it true but the difference is that the Commission just allocated $900,000 to
Southgate to revitalize that area and there is no other investment coming into the Towncrest
area as of right now.
Gatlin said he understands, but if the Commission is willing to put $900,000 into that one area
and HACAP is another rehab project, why wouldn't the Commission look at potentially creating
some new rental housing.
Zimmerman Smith said that part of the scoring system is for innovation and innovative solutions
to a problem, and she doesn't feel that The Housing Fellowship offers a new or innovative
solution to the problem of rental housing. She said it's just creating more of the same kind of
housing in an area that already has a lot of that. She said HACAP is really in need of repair and
giving them money gives the City a little bit of say in how they upkeep that property and keeping
it affordable. Zimmerman Smith said that it revitalizes the entire neighborhood; one that has
very negative perceptions. She said it's a frontage property, the first thing you see, and it looks
terrible. It would help to improve and stabilize the neighborhood.
Gatlin said he doesn't know if changing the outside of the building lifts up the community.
Bacon Curry explained that changing both the interior and exterior along with other vast areas of
that community being changed simultaneously might. She said that The Housing Fellowship
does maintain their properties very well, they have great tenant screening, they do a wonderful
job of facilities maintenance but she thinks the Commission has given them money to build new
construction rental time and again, and they haven't given HACAP money to rehab since they
purchased the property years ago.
Chappell asked if Hightshoe had any concerns about the numbers they had received from
Dennis. Hightshoe's only concern was that the narrative stated that the loan will be repaid from
their current rental portfolio. She said she doesn't like that funds from the rest of the portfolio will
subsidize this project as those funds may be needed to maintain their existing properties. Staff
reviews each project and needs to see that each project will be self-sufficient throughout the
period of affordability in terms of property management, reserves, maintenance, etc.
She stated, unfortunately, in the early years of the HOME program - up to about 8 -9 years ago,
staff did not require or enforce if recipients had enough in replacement reserves. Many
proformas were so tight that repair and replacement was neglected or postponed as the
applicant tried to secure additional grant funding. She said staff now reviews proformas
differently and reviews for viability throughout the compliance period. Staff makes sure that in
their pro forma that they are budgeting for replacements reserves and upkeep of the property.
She said they are now more like the State and requiring adequate replacement reserves, but
older properties previously funded did not have that.
Chappell asked Dennis if they would still be able to maintain their properties with the numbers
she had given the Commission assuming they get the State funds.
Dennis replied that she believes so, since they received a pretty large grant from the WOES
funding, which is a State program as a result of the flood, and they were able to significantly
rehab 23 homes. She said additionally, they were able to partner with HACAP to do a lot of
weatherization. She said they just received a Housing Trust Fund allocation for rehab on some
of the houses that they have owned for some time. She said they have also been able to
establish some reserves.
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
March 22, 2012
PAGE 9 of 12
Chappell noted that even factoring in these potential State HOME funds, $150,000 represents
less than half of the private funds that are being potentially put into that project. Zimmerman
Smith asked if that included the $198,000 developer fee.
Chappell stated that the developer fee being requested was $92,000.
Dennis said the fee comes in at the very end only if they have done the new buildings with their
approved budget and construction costs. She said if not, they don't get that money.
Ford said with the low rents they are collecting due to program restraints, they keep the
organization running by developing new projects.
Chappell said he would like to see the developer fee lower, but he understands it. He said that
for this type of project and organization you can't consistently expect not to have a developer
fee. He said they would still have $336,500 in private funds. He said that the site doesn't bother
him because it's within the City Council's matrix.
Bacon Curry stated she also had concerns about the site as its right in the middle of a business
zone that the City is trying to redevelop so everything else is commercial. She said she thinks
it's a bad site on a major arterial for a family with children.
Chappell stated that the location was not a concern of his as the Council adopted a matrix and
allows city assistance to rental housing in areas not prohibited. This site is not prohibited and is
allowable.
Zimmerman Smith said there are still four people with zero allocation, and she would rather see
the Commission fill out the Crisis Center or give Community Mental Health the elevator or fund
HACAP.
Jacobson said he had wanted to fund the Housing Fellowship at about $100,000 and he thinks
having a nice apartment building at that location would be great and would achieve some very
good goals. He said he will defer to members of the Commission with more experience but is
not thrilled about not funding it at any level.
Dragoo said his concern was not improving our existing rental stock, while expanding new rental
housing. He would feel comfortable focusing on maintaining our existing older stock and then
next year looking at additional new rental housing.
Hart asked Community Mental Health if with $100,000 they could get the elevator. Trefz said
that would put it within reach. He said it's a major access point to their building so it's a
significant investment to keep the building accessible.
Jacobson asked how people had been getting in and out of the building up to this point and
wanted to know if the current condition kept people from accessing services.
Trefz replied that individuals had been getting into the building using the ramp and the ramp and
the steps have deteriorated significantly since the picture that the Commission members had in
their possession had been taken. He said they are probably on the cusp of shutting off that
means of getting into the building.
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
March 22, 2012
PAGE 10 of 12
Hart said she liked this project because it was a one -time expense and needed because of the
clientele and their need for access. Chappell said if he had thought that $90,000 would have
worked, he probably would have recommended it. He said he suspects that having $20,000 in
hand and $100,000 pledged will be as much incentive as they are ever going to have to do a
capital campaign, because they have to spend 50% of the allocation by March 15th or it comes
back to the Commission.
Chappell and Gatlin stated that they could raise their allocation to $100,000.
Bacon Curry suggested they put $100,000 toward Community Mental Health and the $90,000
back in HACAP.
Drum asked if anyone was interested in putting the $90,000 into the Crisis Center. The
Commission concurred to put the $90,000 in HACAP.
Gatlin asked if there was any way to persuade the Commission to increase allocations for
rental. Chappell said he was persuaded, but that there is not a consensus among the rest of
the Commission.
Gatlin said he could agree with the allocations as they are. Chappell said that he also agreed
with the allocations because it represented a true consensus.
Hightshoe said in reply to Chappell's question that they do not need a contingency plan for
additional or decreased funding because HUD notified them of the City's final allocation amount.
Chappell asked for a motion to adopt the spread sheet as the Commission's recommendation to
the City Council.
Drum moved to accept the discussed funding allocations on the spread sheet as the
Commission's final recommendations to City Council.
Zimmerman Smith seconded.
Housing
Requested
Amount
HCDC
Recommendation
CHARM Homes LLC - Rental Housing
$61,650
$61,650
CJs Construction, Inc. — Rental Housing
$650,000
$0
Hawkeye Area Comm. Action Program — Rental Rehab.
$360,000
$290,014
The Housing Fellowship — CHDO Operating Funds
$20,630
$19,260
The Housing Fellowship — Rental Housing
$258,239
$0
Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity - Homeownership
$120,000
$0
Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity - Owner - occupied Rehab.
$90,000
$90,000
City of Iowa City — Owner - occupied Rehabilitation
$220,000
$200,000
Successful Living — Rental Rehabilitation
$300,000
$0
Housing Total
$2,080,519
$660,924
Public Facilities
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
March 22, 2012
PAGE 11 of 12
Community Mental Health Center - Accessibility
$163,564
$100,000
Crisis Center of Johnson County — Rehabilitation
$300,400
$160,000
Domestic Violence Intervention Program - Facility Rehab.
$172,076
$172,076
Extend the Dream /PATV — Facility Rehabilitation
$26,360
$0
HACAP - Playground
$40,000
$40,000
Mayor's Youth — Facility Rehab.
$119,424
$0
MECCA - Facility Rehabilitation
$339,767
$12,500
NCJC — Facility Rehab.
$111,500
$111,500
Public Facilities Total
$1,273,091
$596,076
TOTAL REQUESTED:
$3,353,610
$1,257,000
Chappell invited discussion.
Hart asked what the allocation was for the Crisis Center. Chappell replied that they were at
$160,000 and this was the consensus.
A vote was taken and the motion carried 8 -0.
Hightshoe explained to the applicants in attendance that these recommendations will go to City
Council and there will be a 30 -day public hearing. She said she expects the Annual Action Plan
to be available the second week of April and there will be a 30 -day public comment period and
after that the Council will vote on it in May. She said any organization that was recommended
funding should NOT proceed with their projects as they could jeopardize their entire funding
award. Expenses can't be incurred until the organization enters an agreement with the City and
an environmental review is completed. More details will be sent to successful applicants.
Chappell stated that regardless of the Commission's recommendations, Council will have the
final say on them.
Zimmerman Smith and Drum agreed to write the justification memo.
Hightshoe explained that typically in May a committee is formed to start planning the
Community Development celebration, which is a way to highlight the impact that CDBG and
HOME dollars make to the community. She said they had an offer by the Free Medical Clinic to
host the Community Development celebration in conjunction with their own open house on June
20th. The Commission had consensus that this was a good idea and a separate committee was
not needed.
ADJOURNMENT:
Zimmerman Smith moved to adjourn.
Jacobson seconded.
A vote was taken and the motion carried 8 -0.
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
March 22, 2012
PAGE 12 of 12
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
ATTENDANCE RECORD
2012
NAME
TERM EXP.
1119
2/16
3/08
3122
BACON CURRY, MICHELLE
9/1/2014
X
X
X
X
CHAPPELL, ANDREW
9/1/2012
X
X
X
X
CLAMON, CHERYLL
9/1/2014
O/E
O/E
O/E
O/E
DRAGOO, SCOTT
9/1/2013
X
X
X
X
DRUM, CHARLIE
9/1/2013
X
X
X
X
GATLIN, JARROD
9/1/2012
X
X
X
X
HART, HOLLY JANE
9/1/2013
X
X
X
X
JACOBSON, JIM
9/1/2014
- - --
--
X
X
ZIMMERMAN SMITH, RACHEL
9/1/2012
X
X
X
X
Key:
X = Present
O/E = Absent/Excused
NM = No Meeting