HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-02-19 Public hearingM
February 8, 2013
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
FY13 Annual Action Plan Amendment #1
The City Council will hold a public hearing,
accept comments and consider approval of an
amendment to Iowa City's FY13 Annual Action
Plan on February 19, 2013. The meeting will
be held at City Hall, Emma Harvat Hall, 410 E.
Washington Street, Iowa City at 7:00 p.m.
The FY13 Annual Action Plan is a portion of
Iowa City's 2011 -2015 Consolidated Plan
(a.k.a. CITY STEPS). The Annual Action Plan
includes information on the proposed use of
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
and HOME Investment Partnership (HOME)
funds for housing, jobs and services for low -
moderate income persons.
The FY13 Amendment proposes to use
$67,000 in CDBG funds for fagade
improvements in the downtown urban renewal
area.
Copies of the FY13 Annual Action Plan
Amendment #1 are available from the
Department of Planning and Community
Development, 410 East Washington Street,
the Iowa City Public Library, 123 S. Linn
Street or on Iowa City's web site
(www.icgov.org/actionplan).
Additional information is available from the
Department of Planning and Community
Development, 410 East Washington Street,
Iowa City, Iowa, 52240 or by calling 356-
5230.
Comments may also be submitted in writing
to the Planning and Community Development
Department at the address above or by email
to tracy- hightshoe @iowa - city.org. If you
require special accommodations or language
translation, please contact Stephen Long at
356 -5250 or 356 -5493 TTY at least seven (7)
days prior to the meeting.
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CITY OF IOWA CITY
MEMORANDUM
Date: January 30, 2013
To: Thomas Markus, City Manager
From: Tracy Hightshoe, Community Development Planner
Re: Resolution Adopting the FY13 Annual Action Plan Amendment #1
Introduction
A public hearing and resolution considering approval of the FY13 Annual Action Plan
Amendment #1 will be held at your February 19, 2013 City Council meeting. The amendment
allocates Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for fagade improvements to
commercial buildings in the City- University Urban Renewal Area.
History/ Background
In FY13, the City allocated $67,000 in CDBG funds to the City's Economic Development Fund for
working capital loans to small businesses creating jobs for primarily low -to- moderate income
persons. The current balance of the Fund is $144,000 ($67,000 in FY13 funds and $77,000 in
FY11 and FY12 funds). The City has no current applications pending and an application for
funds has not been received this fiscal year. Due to CDBG timeliness issues, the City must
make every effort to utilize these funds for eligible CDBG projects. With this proposed
amendment, $77,000 will remain available for working capital loans for small businesses;
$67,000 will be available for fagade improvements.
Discussion of Solution
City staff has been in conversations with the Downtown District and various property owners.
There is a need for fagade improvements to several downtown commercial buildings within the
City- University Urban Renewal Area. This project meets the objectives of the Urban Renewal
Plan by 1) eliminating substandard buildings, blighting influences and environmental
deficiencies; 2) improving the appearance of buildings and encouraging high standards of
design; and 3) encouraging the restoration and rehabilitation of structures in downtown Iowa
City which are of architectural and /or historic significance.
Recommendation
At your February 19 meeting, we are asking that you consider approval of the FY13 Annual
Action Plan Amendment #1 as recommended by Housing and Community Development
Commission (HCDC). To date, the City has received no written comments from the public
concerning the FY13 Annual Action Plan Amendment. HCDC reviewed this request at their
January 3, 2013 meeting and recommended approval. The HCDC minutes were in the January
31 City Council Information Packet.
Fiscal Impact
These funds represent CDBG entitlement funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development, CDBG program income and uncommitted or returned funds from prior CDBG
projects that didn't proceed.
If you have any questions about the amendment please contact me at 356 -5230 or at tracy-
hightshoe @iowa- city.org.
Cc: Housing and Community Development Commission
Jan 23, 2013
City of Iowa City
Dept of Planning and Community Development
City Hall
410 East Washington
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
This is in response to Federal Fiscal Year 2012 (cityfy13) relating to a proposed use of
$67,000 in CDBG funds for fagade improvements in an urban renewal area of buildings
designated as slum and blight in Iowa City. Previously these funds were allocated for
working capital loans for small business startups or expansions that created jobs primarily
for low- moderate income persons.
I suggest very strongly you transfer the 67,000 back to working capital loans for small
business setups or for expansions that create jobs for low - moderate income individuals so
we may strengthen families and raise them to a living wage and out of the dregs of
poverty.
Perhaps we could have some set -a -side monies through our planning dept to help pay for
fagade improvements, or the business owners could work on storefronts before they
become urban blight. If we take away monies needed for job creation people will not
have the funds to shop in businesses.
I would like to see the City come up with a plan that could help both entities so it would
economically benefit both parties and thereby strengthening the economics of our
community.
Sincerely Yours
Lynne Stamu
2318 Russell b —na
Iowa City,Iowa 52240