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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-01-20 Correspondence01-20-15 Marian Karr 3f(1) From: Marian Karr Sent: Monday, January 05, 2015 7:58 AM To: 'Vanessa Ryan' Cc: City Charter; Council Subject: RE: Council Participation in Charter Review? Thank you for your email. A copy will be provided to both the Charter Review Commission and the City Council at their next meeting. The Charter Review Commission will provide their recommendations to the City Council prior to April 1. You may wish to subscribe to receive their agendas and meeting materials, including minutes, by using the link below. http://www.iowa-citV.org/icgov/apps/subscribe/ Please let me know if you have additional questions. Marian K. Karr, MMC City Clerk From: Vanessa Ryan[mailto:vanessa.ryan91@gmail.com] Sent: Friday, January 02, 2015 10:34 AM To: Council Cc: City Charter Subject: Council Participation in Charter Review? Dear Council & Charter Review Members: am a newcomer to this community, and read in the newspaper a while ago that you are reviewing the city's charter. I am familiar with this process having lived in Tacoma, WA. It is a very high profile process there, with online surveys, online city halls, direct mail flyers, etc., with buy -in and active participation from many community groups. I recall talking to volunteers staffing info booths at the farmers market and they also had outreach sessions throughout the community seeking input. I'm not sure if this is an appropriate time to offer input but decided to go ahead anyway. I could not find any information on the home page of the city website about charter review; however, if the process is still ongoing I offer the following: I was a bit surprised to see that I have heard of no suggestions for improvement and efficiencies submitted by city staff or the city council itself to modernize its own administrative operations. This is a standard part of Charter Review in Tacoma. It is difficult to believe that after the course of perhaps 60 years or so there are no suggestions internally for streamlining the part of the city organization controlled by the city council, with possible coordination and cost-effectiveness benefits. After all, in those days there were no internet, computer networks, or other enhanced communication strategies we enjoy today. Most organizations today reflect today's environment, not those of mid -20th century. There is also more concern for reducing the taxpayer burden than there appeared to be in the past. Specifically, I see that the city council, presently all part-time, has 3 employees to manage, supervise and review. These would be the City Administrator, the City Attorney, and the City Clerk. 1 I understand the current City Administrator has done an excellent job modernizing the organizational chart, and merging smaller departments together to increase coordination and to decrease administrative overhead costs. This I imagine has served to reduce the number of information "silos" and has benefitted the organization in many ways. In Tacoma, the City Attorney and the City Clerk's functions are joined together, with the City Attorney ultimately supervising the Legal and City Clerk operations. They were in physical different offices I believe, but organizationally they were joined together with one department head, the City Attorney. This organization model offers the city council the same level of "check and a balance" to the role of the City Administrator/Manager. The City Attorney would remain as the counter -balance to the role of the City Administrator. The City Clerk remains responsible for administrative duties, under the supervision of the City Attorney. Perhaps the City Clerk had a larger independent political role in the 1960s which would require the position to be accountable only to the City Council, but I'm wondering why that may still apply today. If so, I would like an explanation of that. Without charter changes, it appears the part of the organization (Attorney/City Clerk) controlled by the city council appear to be immune and protected from any reorganization iinitiatives to achieve both cost savings and organizational coordination benefits that have occurred in the rest of the organization. Since it can be considered only every ten years, I think now is a good time for the Council to consider its role and responsibilities in modernizing and streamlining its own administrative function. Thank you. Vanessa Ryan Iowa City 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 3f(2) l JERRY BOKASSA P.O.Box 1905 Iowa City,Iowa (213 -840 -2960 -cell) ALERT -ALERT- ALERT. IOWA CITY CITY COUNCIL. In order to assist and protect the Iowa City Police in its now more Dangerous job. Can you come up with a new ordinance that would punish Landlords and property owners Large Fines For continuance of calls to the same address in Iowa City that directly connected to Section #8 housing Drugs and any crime that is being commited at the same place. Say $100 for the first $300 for the Second and $500. For the third,or evict the people in 30 days. I said on June 9 -2014 in my Class -Action suit against the U.S .Government Housing,plus the City Org. To the Judge "1F YOU DISMISS MY CASE YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE KILLING OF A IOWA CITY POLICE OFFICER" (look it up) This was before N.Y.P.D. because of my 30 years in the SLUMS of California. Now that it has happen else Where don't make no difference, We have the same Type of people from the "SLUMS" here in Iowa City. Some I know from L.A. SKID -ROW. I cannot sit here and watch this happen and not do all I can to stop It, That Includes Notify The President Barrack Obama And the Dept of Justice who know me from the ( 1963 riots). Following all that is being said on C.N.N,FOX about the trust of police and Black's none of them have mention The "FACT" that "WE BLACK'S Have no real Leaders" The Mexican leaders in California have gotten Drivers Licenses for Legals so thay can drive all the drugs from Texas,Arizona, Cali fomia to "IOWA CITY" Most Blacks are to Stupid to do this,BUT do sell and use the stuff. Our BLACK leaders are in prison (i.e) Jesse Jackson,JR for One, I made it from Oskaloosa Iowa and a single mother to Union labor foreman and Union Journeyman Carpenter Foreman,Not because 1 was `BLACK" it was because 1 was SMART,GOOD WORKER,BUT MOST OF ALL 1 AM A "HAWKEYE" [PLEADING TITLE] - 1 3f(3) Members of the City Council: Being a senior myself and having spent a lifetime working in and with several social service organizations, I have become concerned about the services of SEATS. I live in North Liberty and fortunately am still able to drive. I have also been fortunate to have met and worked with many of our special needs and disenfranchised populations in and around Iowa City. Since retirement, I have volunteered on holidays at UpTown Bills. This year their holidays were held on days other than the actual dates due to SEATS being unavailable for our riders on the actual date. We were told this was due to the reduction in funds to SEATS. The Senior Center of Johnson County is funded from the same budget as SEATS and it appears they are adding programs by extending the age requirement for those services. Most of these younger members are still employed and mobile. The services that attract them are duplications of services available at many other facilities in town. This duplication is an increased expense and at a time when all budgets are being cut, it is unnecessary. The seniors, special needs and other disenfranchised populations of Johnson County are especially affected by decreased budgets. This brings me back to SEATS. The reason given for the new "celebration" dates was, "SEATS' BUDGET HAS BEEN CUT and drivers aren't available as before." Consequences of this are wide spread. The persons able to attend the celebrations were fewer than years before, being the most obvious. The unseen consequences are that this population was deserted on the most celebrated and family oriented holidays of our nation. This is a time when depression, drinking, suicide, and desperation are often felt even by the most "normal" of our citizens. SEATS is a god -send for many people and services needs to be increased to accommodate our aging, special needs and disenfranchised populations. Those of us who live in the county without any bus service need a resource for transportation. We all pay taxes and the services that have been devised for the aging, special needs and disenfranchised, deserve an equal amount of our tax money as other organizations being served out of the same budget. This would truly make Johnson County the Place to Retire. Joan McMillan, BSN, MA, CAC v �2AIX January 14, 2015 Ms. McMillan, CITY OF IOWA CITY 410 East Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240-1826 (319) 356-5000 (319) 356-5009 FAX www.lcgov.org Thank you for your letter that we received on January 7, 2015. The paratransit services provided for Iowa City through a contract with Johnson County SEATS is required to mirror the hours of service provided for regular fixed route transit services. Over the holidays between Christmas and New Year's, Iowa City Transit operated as listed below: Christmas Eve: 5:45AM — 6:45PM Christmas Day: No Service Day after Christmas (City Holiday): 5:45AM — 7:40PM New Year's Eve: 5:45AM — 6:45PM New Year's Day — No Service The paratransit service offered by SEATS during these dates would have matched the services provided by Iowa City Transit. The services offered by Coralville, North Liberty and the County may have differed slightly based on their operational schedules. Funding for the SEATS service, provided by Iowa City, comes from the Transit Division Operations Budget and has actually increased from $978,000 in FY2013 to $1.3 million in FY2015 due to changes in funding policies by Johnson County for these services. Despite this increase for Iowa City in the cost for paratransit services, the only impact to the operations was the elimination of Sunday service and the phasing out of the reduced fares. The Iowa City/Johnson County Senior Center receives 75% of its funding from Iowa City's General Fund, 7% from a Johnson County Quality of Life Grant, and 18% from a variety of participant cost sharing methods, fundraising, corporate sponsors, and other grants. The Center also uses a large number of community partnerships (121 in fiscal year 2014) to expand program options, decrease program expenses, and avoid duplication of services. The minimum age requirement for member ship is 50 years of age. This has been the case for over a decade. Center members range in age from 50 to 100 years with 72% of them falling between 60 and 79 years old. January 14, 2015 Page 2 The comprehensive programs and services offered at The Center are developed based upon the expressed needs of participants. They provide information, social connections, mental and physical exercise, and community involvement in a supportive environment. Please let us know if you have any additional questions or would like to discuss this further. Sincerely, Linda Kopping Senior Center Coordinator City of Iowa City (319)356-5225 Linda-kopping@iowa-city.org Chris O'Brien Transportation Services Director City of Iowa City (319)356-5156 Chris-obrien@iowa-city.org Marian Karr 3f(4) From: WalkerCL04@aol.com Sent: Wednesday, January 07, 2015 1:36 PM To: Council; Tom Markus Subject: Comments and suggestions re AD HOC Senior Services Committee's final report This correspondence will become a public record. To the entire City Council and City Manager of Iowa City, IA As you review and discuss the final report submitted by the AD HOC Senior Services Committee, I hope you will take time to consider my suggestions and comments below about the Iowa City Senior Center. 1. Consider carefully that many things have changed since the city arranged to use that big historic building for the senior center. There is less need for a big building now. Its important to keep good records on how that building space is being used. As one example to review, there is very nice ground level room has been standing empty for several years now, since Elder Services moved from the Senior Center. It could be used for several worthy senior purposes but the stubbornness of the director will not let that happen. You cannot just look at the bulging and confusing program guide to judge how that building is being used. Some of those advertised classes never take place due to lack of interest and some listed are brief one timers. The number of current unduplicated participants does not warrant such high funding for the senior center. 2. Membership fees at the senior center generate such a small and unfair part of the senior center income. I think it would be much better to end the membership fees. But, if the council insists on membership fees at the senior center, I think it would be wise and welcomed to create a uniform membership fee for all elders in Johnson County. Few elders will be coming from most of our small towns and it is unkind and very unfriendly to turn away the few who are able and want to attend. Most of the popular and interesting activities and classes at the senior center require paid membership. As for Coralville, we have the example of friendly cooperation between Iowa City and Coralville with the use of their libraries without membership fees. 3. Provide better council and city manager attention to the management of the senior center. There is obvious need for closer supervision of the highly paid Senior center coordinator/director. 4. Watch what is going on with the Friends of the Center fund and how it is managed. 5. Revise the way the one county member of the Senior Center Commission is chosen. The County Board of Supervisors might be inspired to increase their contribution to the senior center if they could choose at least one member of the Senior Center Commission. For those who don't know, presently only the senior center commission selects the county member, not the city council of Iowa City or the County Board of Supervisors. 6. Impose short term limits for members of the Senior Center Commission. As most of you know, one member has been on the commission for far too many years. 7. Consider relocation of the senior center to an easier to maintain smaller senior friendly building at a location that is on a good city bus route and that also has free ground level parking. 8. Consider using the historic senior center building as a much better city hall and city office space, including a cheery well equipped work room to be used just for city council members. 9. When considering a city bus stop for the senior center, you have to consider how the elders can return home too. There is an urgent need to have another bus stop near the senior center that will take riders to the downtown transit transfer hub. Its not good enough to point to the one current bus stop that is near the senior center.That bus stop only helps getting to the senior center from the transfer hub and for those who can return home on that bus route. Some seniors are too frail to walk from the senior center to the downtown transit transfer location, especially in bad weather. 10. I'd like to see a discussion of spinning off the senior center as a 501 C 3 non-profit organization. There should be a way to do that in a fair way. That's about the only way to whittle down the high city budget for the senior center since most of the city money is going to staff salaries and benefits. Times have changed since the historic building was turned into a senior center. Changes need to be made to address current needs. 11. The city manager and city council should pay attention to the senior meals that are being served at the senior center. I'd suggest that you drop in unannounced from time to time to see what is being served and to see the somber mood there. The quality of the meals keeps getting lower and lower. It is a depressing blot on the city to allow poor quality meals to be served to our seniors in that elaborate large city owned building. If the current provider (Elder Services) cannot produce better meals, they should not be allowed to use that free space. It would be interesting to compare the senior meals with the meals served at the jail and at the Free Lunch program. Finally, I hope that you will not hesitate to look beyond the final report provided by AD HOC Senior Services Committee as you discuss the senior center. There are many reasons for changes at the Senior Center that they never considered at all. Most sincerely, Charlotte Louise Walker (82 years old) Member of the Senior Center Commission for one year before I moved to Coralville in 2010. Marian Karr From: Carol Thompson <carolt@southslope.net> Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2015 1:12 PM To: Council Subject: Senior Center I have heard that the committee considering the needs of seniors has submitted its report, although I was unable to locate it on the city website. I was pleased to learn that there was discussion of considering the senior center in the context of other agencies serving seniors. I'm sure you learned that there are many gaps. Transportation is an important need, as well as assistance to seniors who are housebound or otherwise debilitated. Adult day care is also an important need, as are senior nutrition programs. Agencies serving these people have long waiting lists and short budgets. There was a time when many of these important services were operated out of the Senior Center. One by one, they have left, and the Center's mission has gradually changed to serving younger and more affluent seniors. This may have been a mistake, since many affluent seniors now live in all-inclusive facilities, or are able to find other private resources for themselves. Services for disabled or low-income seniors have disappeared from the Center, but the need persists in our community. In a Livable Community, all seniors need adequate resources. You devote considerable tax resources to the Center, which serves only a small percentage of elders. I hope that as you continue to study the needs, you will find a way to make your expenditures benefit a wider range of seniors. Carol Thompson 5 Kelsey Court Coralville IA 52241 phone: 319-626-2346 Marian Karr From: Eve Casserly <casserly@mchsi.com> Sent: Friday, January 09, 2015 1:05 PM To: Council; Tom Markus Subject: Comments: Ad Hoc Senior Services Commission January 09, 2015 To: Members of the Iowa City City Council and City Manager Markus 410 E. Washington Iowa City, IA 52240 RE: Comments: Ad Hoc Senior Services Commission Dear Mr. Mayor, City Council Members and Mr. Markus The Senior Services Commission report was somewhat puzzling with its varying views of what is seen as important to have for senior services, the significant impact financial constraints are making on government budgets and the likely impact of financial constraints on services for persons of all ages including senior citizens. Clearly, government has serious limitations on what it can fund. I believe, that at this time, we must recognize as a priority the needs of the homebound senior (such as those served by Elder Services, VNA, Iowa City Hospice, Pathways, SEATS, etc.) because many of these people cannot avail themselves of senior center services. They need just very basic services such as nutrition, personal care, medical care in home, transportation to & from medical sites to keep them in their own homes. Certainly, socialization such as is available at the senior center is important, but basic help for the homebound (including the more limited income) should be a higher priority in a responsible society. According to the Senior Services Commission minutes, the apparently 1,600 seniors who currently are members of the present IC/Johnson Co Senior Center would seem well satisfied with that service and may wish it to grow. I expect that you are aware, however, that when checking census figures it becomes clear that the SC membership numbers are only a minor percentage of Iowa City/Johnson County senior citizens. (US Census figures of 2010 shows Iowa Citians aged 65 and over to number 5,567 people at that time nearly five years ago. This would amount to 28.7% of the then Iowa City age 65 population.) As a retired social worker who has spent many hours in the past 15 years in volunteer work for multiple senior organizations plus serving as caregiver for two elderly relatives in their last years, I have become more aware of real needs of our aging citizens. My volunteer and personal experiences (including Johnson County Livable Community for Successful Aging, Johnson County AARP, Johnson County Task Force on Aging, Iowa City Hospice, Heritage Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council, Older Iowans Legislature, FAIR and one short term as a member of the IC/JC Senior Commission) has been a thorough lesson in the various real needs experienced by many persons as they age, needs which every single one of us may well experience if we live long enough. As city leaders, I would ask that you rethink your senior services funding plan. I would urge that essential services such as Elder Services, Hospice, Meals on Wheels, Pathways, SEATS, VNA, etc. be given priority over those that would simply be nice to have in a more ideal world. Thank you for your work. Eve Casserly MSW 1615 Pine Ridge Court Coralville, IA 52241-1064 0 This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. www.avast.com To: Members of City Council As my resume indicates I have an extensive background of education, work history and volunteer activities in program development, resources and working with and for a senior population. This includes some years as program coordinator at the Senior Center. I write this to you in response to "wrap-up" findings of an ad hoc commission on senior services in our area as reported in the Press -Citizen. The following questions/issues were not addressed or addressed satisfactorily in my professional opinion and remain critical to your budgeting and funding considerations and decisions. 1. Defining the senior population: Who is a senior? The census uses age 65 as a base age, the Senior Center uses 50. How many seniors in each age group live in Iowa City? Johnson County? What are the age and residence factors of concern to this Council? We want to compare apples with apples when assessing relative needs and numbers, especially noting that the Senior Center has 1700 members ages 50 plus. 2. What services/programs are currently available for seniors 65 plus? a. By location: Iowa City? Johnson County? or individual towns such as Solon, Tiffin and others? b. By types of service: Medical, Meals, Transportation, Housing, Day Care, Erptof Life (Hospice), Social, Cultural, Educational, Counseling (SHIIP, Tax, Psychologiem, Legal?) C. By Financial Support: Governmental grants? Private Contributionsj-�ndabions Membership? Out of Pocket by Seniors? 3. Monitoring/Evaluation of Existing Services Y' a. By whom? How? Frequency? b. Example: SEATS ridership is administered through IC Transportation department. Currently eligibility for SEATS transportation excludes older citizens without documented severe disabilities. They are expected to utilize city bus transportation if they don't drive. Many do not have bus stops near their residences. Is there a bus stop at the Washington St. entrance to the Senior Center where there are no steps to navigate? How can older citizens be expected to walk to bus stops in neighborhoods and then to the SC, doctor's offices, shopping in inclement weather. How are these concerns addressed? Perhaps SEATS needs more funding and a change of inclusionary regulations to accommodate frail elderly who don't meet current standards of disability? c. Example: Senior Center Membership: Why is the Senior Center the only city financed agency that charges a membership fee? We do not pay for a library card or classes offered at the ICPL such as computer classes for seniors. There is no membership charge at the recreation centers though special classes and pool use have fees. d. Example: Additional Class Fees to Senior Center Membership: While the Senior Center offers many fine classes in arts, crafts, literature, history, travel and physical fitness, et al, there are fees charged if the instructor is an "independent contractor," meaning a paid instructor. (and the SC gets 25% of that fee for administration, i.e. registering and advertising in catalog, and for room usage.) There are higher fees for non Iowa City residents. One wonders if the staff surveys the myriad of the volunteers they have on their rosters since this is a community of retired professionals among whom there might be trained or trainable potential instructors who would share their expertise sans remuneration. e. Example: Most fitness classes are run by independent contractors who charge $5- $6 per session. This may preclude low-income seniors who might need or want to take a class to improve balance, sense of well being or improving bodily functions. f. The Senior Center advertises scholarships for low income seniors, the senior fills out the paper work, interviews with the director, and if accepted gets a membership for a reduced cost, and 10% off the class fee which would stitLbe pro- hibitive for low income seniors in fitness classes which they could 0enefitom. The Annual Report does not provide data on HOW MANY LOW INCOW P PLE APPLIED FOR SCHOLARSHIPS, HOW MANY WERE GIVEN AND AT W . CCj�r TO --- THE SC SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS (derived from donations and annual lifteresnn Foundation funds) 4. Duplication of Senior Services and Programs -_ What services or programs designed for senior citizens are duplicated in this area at what cost? For example could seniors use exercise equipment at the recreation facilities at no charge during the day when they are not busy with younger people (after school or work hours); library computer courses and others are free. Did the committee compare course offerings, faculty, course length, convenience of meeting sites and parking and fees to those classes available through UI Senior College, Kirkwood, various church groups, plus UI free lectures and concerts? 5. Other Issues: Some questions have been raised by citizens about tax supported agencies/building s renting rooms for parties, catered dinners, special events. There has been a rumor that the Senior Center wants to apply for a liquor license in order to do this. Would this conflict with their stated mission? Would it be in direct competition with local businesses? We know that many services housed in the Senior Center have moved out. Elder Services needed more office space some years ago. AARP lost its small ground floor office some years ago because the custodian needed a place to park his bike and though they still offer AARP tax counseling, I am told they have moved their general meetings out to the Coralville Library for free parking and good accommodations. Elder Services kept the RSVP program (Retired Senior Volunteers Program) on second floor of the Senior Center where seniors could come to find out about opportunities when in the building and then they had to leave. I believe the Heritage Task Force meetings have moved as well. There have been additional unfortunate contentious dealings with the New Horizon Band. Note: The 80 plus senior musicians constitute a goodly proportion of the SC total membership,numbers of building users (for rehearsals), and are heavily touted as "volunteers" and "outreach" in the community with their concerts and programs. Friends of IC New Horizons Band recently became a new nonprofit to "assure that this fantastic music group continues to be available to community seniors for many years to come". 6. Finally, I personally don't understand how the Senior Center could issue a yearly report showing income of $290 thousand dollars without crediting double that amount in support from Iowa City. We know that the SC has never been self sustained from its inception. Thank you for your patience in reading this account. These are all issues I had hoped would be discussed by the ad hoc group. June Braverman 349 Koser Ave Iowa City, IA 52246 319-338-4139 Birthdate: 5/31/33 Post -Secondary Education (University of Iowa) BA Degree 1955 Speech Pathology(K-12); Speech & Drama Education (9-12) MA Degree 1972 Communications PhD Degree 1979 Education Administration Work History . Speech Therapist, Cedar County . Graduate teaching assistantships at University High School and College of Education . English and Speech Teacher Regina High School; drama and musical director . Post doctorate fellowship Ul Graduate College . Director, UI Center for Conferences and Non -Credit Programs . Asst. Director for Grants, Hancher Auditorium"- . Grant Consultant, Iowa Humanities Board . Program Coordinator, ICJC Senior Center _ .w . Director, Kirkwood College Non Credit Programs, Johnson County Awards Larry Eckholt Awards for Arts/Culture Advocacy: la. Cultural Corridor Alliance Heritage Area Agency on Aging: Outstanding Initiative in Aging Ia. Volunteer Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award Sertoma Service to Mankind Award Annual Girl Scout Award for Community Service Hospice Award for Volunteer Community Involvement Perry McClenahan Awards, UI College of Education: Outstanding Candidate for an Advanced Degree in School Administration Volunteer Service Award: Distinguished Service in Cause of Elderly, Iowa Adult Day Services Association Volunteer Activities Director, President, Iowa City Community Theatre, Founding member City Circle Acting Co.; Chair JC Democratic Women, IC/Coralville Convention Bureau, Agudas Achim Women Sisterhood. Founder and Director, Ronald McDonald House Players( fund raising performances for private parties for 18 yrs in addition to two major musical productions at Hancher for the Housev Fundraising shows to benefit IC Hospice, Shelter House, Best Buddies, City High; Pathways. Twice monthly sing-alongs at Pathways for approx 8 yrs; developed and lead IC Hospice singing and reading programs monthly at nursing homes in area; developed and led pilot program for after school drama program, elementary schools. Currently planning entertainments for conventions and events with funds to go to local nonprofits IC Hospice, Elder Service, Pathways, Best Buddies and Mental Health Center for Mideastern Iowa. t �✓ ` NO ,n Marian Karr 3f(5) From: John McKinstry <icdisciple.pastor@gmail. com> Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2015 11:15 AM To: Council Subject: Tuesday Work Session Dear Councilors, I attended your Tuesday, January 6 work session — the day of the Epiphany holy day- and I was pleased to experience a very enlightened discussion of affordable housing strategies and the opportunity we have in Iowa City to demonstrate effective policies through the Riverfront Crossings redevelopment. Thank you for your willingness to serve the whole community by stepping out in leadership with a balanced approach to inclusionary zoning. John McKinstry 308 Ronalds Street, IC Marian Karr From: Sally Scott <salwah. scott@g mail. com > Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2015 3:44 PM To: Council; Matt Hayek; Kingsley Botchway; Rick Dobyns; Jim Throgmorton; Susan Mims; Terry Dickens; Michelle Payne Subject: Affordable Housing Location Model To the Members of the City Council of Iowa City, On behalf of the Johnson County Affordable Homes Coalition, I appreciate the Council's voting to accept the recommendations of staff concerning affordable housing in Riverfront Crossings. We look forward to working with City staff, for-profit and non-profit developers to make sure there is measurable progress in the creation of new affordable housing for Iowa City residents. On a related note, I am writing to encourage City Council to request a review of the current Affordable Housing Location Model. While the model was created with the best of intentions, and has been praised by planners from other cities, there is no evidence that the model is effective. The goals of the model were (1) to de - concentrate poverty in Iowa City, and (2) to promote diverse neighborhoods in terms of income levels. We have not seen statistical evidence that Iowa City neighborhoods have less concentrated poverty or more income -diverse neighborhoods as a result of the model. The model's name is only partially accurate, because it limits the location of publicly supported affordable housing, not privately owned affordable housing. Whether under the auspices of the Iowa City Housing Authority, the Housing Fellowship, or Shelter House, publically-financed affordable rental housing is well constructed and well maintained. Unfortunately there are examples of large privately -owned rental complexes in areas of concentrated poverty in Iowa City that are not well maintained, but the model does not address these units. In an email dated January 13, 2015, on behalf of the The Coalition for Racial Justice and the Black Voices Project, Circe Stumbo wrote: "The Coalition for Racial Justice and the Black Voices Project have identified policing, housing, schooling, and jobs as priority issues for racial equity in Iowa City. We encourage you to specifically consider these issues as you take the actions listed above. Further, we want to highlight two specific actions within this list that the Council is especially well-positioned to do: Identify key indicators in each of these priority areas and examine progress on indicator data at least quarterly. Invest the necessary funds to fully implement the six actions, such as investments in ongoing cultural competency training and coaching. To respond to these important equity concerns, the Council should ask for a review of the Affordable Housing Location Model, determine whether it is accomplishing its stated goals, and if not, work with housing experts and community members to develop a policy that is more likely to accomplish these goals. Sincerely, Sally Scott Chair, Johnson County Affordable Homes Coalition Marian Karr From: Tracy Hightshoe Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2015 4:54 PM To: 'Sally Scott' Cc: Tom Markus; Doug Boothroy; Marian Karr Subject: Affordable Housing Location Model Hello. Thank you for contacting us about your concerns with the Affordable Housing Location Model. Staff is reviewing the model and placement of housing since the policy was adopted. We hope to provide this information to City Council and interested parties by the Feb. 3 Council meeting. In the meantime, please contact me with any questions or concerns. Tracy MONSRoa City of Iowa City 410 E. Washington St. Iowa City, IA 52240 319.356.5244 Fax 319.356.5217 www.icaov.org Marian Karr 3f(6) NO - From: Annie Tucker <annie. h.tucker@gmail. com> Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2015 1:14 PM To: Council Subject: Equity issues in IC: In preparation for Jan. 13 work session and ongoing work. This correspondence will become a public record. To: The Members of the Iowa City City Council RE: Equity Issues From: Annie Tucker, citizen January 13, 2015 I commend you for scheduling a work session that includes a discussion on diversity and equity issues in the City and for providing time for community input. These are among the most important and urgent issues in our country and in our community. I regret that I will not be able to attend in person as I am meeting with our board today from 4-6 pm in North Liberty. I am instead writing to you. For the record, I am also a member of the Coalition for Racial Justice, and support the CRJ and community members who will be present tonight. I urge the Council to implement the proposals of the Equity Report 2013. I also support the Council implementing the actions proposed by Councilors Kingsley Botchway and Jim Throgmorton. Further, I urge the Council to implement a quarterly reporting system whereby the City Council oversees the progress and is informed of or deals with any problems in a timely way. I think the most important issues addressed by the Equity Report and the Councilors are: Recognition that Iowa City has racial inequities and disparities. This should be a public, community- wide ongoing conversation. Awareness: City staff and officials and the community need to understand diversity and equity issues and have regular and ongoing cultural competency and equity training. Building relationships across differences and including diverse needs and concerns into discussion and decisions: All members of the community need to be heard by our public officials, and their perspectives integrated into Council and Commission decisions. Regular meetings in different locations, as proposed by Mr. Throgmorton, would be a start. Policy and procedural changes: As indicated in the Report Accountability: For City staff. The Equity Report states: Over the next few years the City will be learning, it will need to evaluate what works well and what may need to be changed or modified to better correct a disparity. The City will need to evaluate whether policies or practices including daily operations inadvertently affect certain populations more than others and if so what the City can do to correct the unintended result and address the institutional and structural barriers to achieving equity. It should be noted that systemic change takes time. The Equity Report 2014 was presented to the Council on March 7, 2013, nearly two years ago. I recognize there have been measurable action steps taken, but there is still much to do: We do not have the luxury of time regarding these issues. If we further delay or deny, the problems will get worse: for individuals, for children and families, for neighborhoods, for businesses and the entire community. We are a community of smart, innovative and compassionate people, in every neighborhood. We are need to be better than a community that condones or allows the disparities and inequities documented by the Report. We need to learn from each other to make effective change. Together, as a community of the whole, we can successfully deal with these problems. What will happen on your watch as councilors? Thank you. Annie Tucker 1425 Oaklawn Ave. Iowa City, IA 52245 Marian Karr From: Circe Stumbo <circe@westwinded.com> Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2015 12:28 PM To: Council Subject: Actions toward racial equity City Council Members: I am writing on behalf of the Coalition for Racial Justice to thank the City Council for convening the special work session on Racial Equity and Diversity tonight and to urge you to take action in the six areas recommended by Councilmember Botchway in his December 1, 2014, memo to the Council: I. Publicly acknowledge we have racial inequities and disparities in our city and have strategic planning session to develop actions the city council can take to eliminate or minimize these issues 2. Add public oversight or inclusion in the Diversity Task Force 3. Use Seattle Racial Equity Toolkit or modified racial equity toolkit in budget decisions & Council actions 4. Develop different ways to engage and incorporate the minority community 5. Work with other governmental bodies on racial equity (i.e. the County) 6. Follow through with overall action plan and the action plan for police department to reduce racial/ethnic disparity The Coalition for Racial Justice and the Black Voices Project have identified policing, housing, schooling, and jobs as priority issues for racial equity in Iowa City. We encourage you to specifically consider these issues as you take the actions listed above. Further, we want to highlight two specific actions within this list that the Council is especially well-positioned to do: Identify key indicators in each of these priority areas and examine progress on indicator data at least quarterly. Invest the necessary funds to fully implement the six actions, such as investments in ongoing cultural competency training and coaching. We are looking for the City Council to demonstrate a serious and ongoing commitment to addressing racial inequities—and to support your staff as they work on this. We will do our part to keep up public engagement in the issue and invite you to partner with us to increase your engagement with people of color in Iowa City. Thank you again for recognizing the need for public dialogue on racial equity and diversity—we hope you will take the next step to move to action! Sincerely, Circe Stumbo on behalf of the Coalition for Racial Justice ... 14, T -D t4 a C LZAI cv C LZAI 13 0 ave C'x�-tJ�t tf►/`� U� Lpax VL -P, e � D sz Li E-1 icy Cz-Uw U• y� u To Give- SuS K -E U { r t / t. y=' ,w 0 ave C'x�-tJ�t tf►/`� U� Lpax VL -P, e � D sz Li E-1 icy Cz-Uw U• y� u To Give- SuS K -E U L PA Sp -GC CIP_ -C, _ _ -- ___ _ __.___.__.._ Ju c..;p _ __ . _ . _ _ _ _. _ _ _ _ _ ._ __ _ _ . -__ _ _ _ _ ar_�-sic,,-- _ _��,r►-�. _�.�, � _-_ _ _.._ . __ _ -7 " 0 _ Fll- I-NAL) 4 M U<-P� tj L t FO 11 n�pl L>Tuze- C. CA' ZIP C Tt�V- ktl2u-, AC, LA -k_, - - L w w CkI, YVltv,�-tie UL -t Ac -I- f/ '— -'-'t c LESS: iz Tj I fAT ij d 'C' I 11,111Y F C 5-z -z qq - .. ... .. .. ... TF -b C Marian Karr From: Jeff Davidson Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2015 3:53 PM To: Marian Karr Cc: Tom Markus; Eleanor M. Dilkes Subject: FW: deal with Kinseth Hospitality Marian, the following is provided in response to the City Council's correspondence below. I checked with Kinseth Hospitality and they informed me that in 2009 they contemplated a ground lease agreement with Gregory Properties for a new hotel in Coralville. The economy had declined, and they were unable to get financing for the project. The ground lease agreement was never executed. The matter was not litigated. Jeff Davidson From: Lynn [mailto:lmgsnyder@aol.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2015 1:55 PM To: Council Subject: deal with Kinseth Hospitality Dear Iowa City City Council - As you are now considering a TIF plan with Kinseth Hospitality I would like to ask you to reconsider the recommendation. I have a lease in place in Coralville with Kinseth Hospitality/ 25th Ave Hotel Associates. They were to build a motel on my property. They have not honored their lease and have now quit paying the rent. The lease is recorded. They owe me considerable in unpaid property taxes, maintenance, etc. I kept hoping they would be honor their agreement but looks like they are planning to use your tax money to overcome their financial problems. I think this is something of which I think you should be aware. Thank you for taking this into consideration. Lynn Snyder Gregory Properties 2466 10th St Coralville, IA 52241 (319) 351-2505 Marian Karr From: hartwig_oralsurg@hotmail.com on behalf of Dr.ACH Hartwig <hartwig.dds.phd@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2015 7:43 AM To: Council Subject: rezoning REZ14-00023 I own & occupy 2814 Northgate Drive, Suite 2 (Oral Surgery Associates of Iowa City). I have just one concern about adding further office space out here: traffic flow. There is a real back log of traffic getting in and out of Northgate Drive. This is especially painful between 4:45-5:20pm most every day. Adding another turning lane (for people heading north on Hwy 1 toward Solon) may be worth looking in to. Thanks for considering this comment. Andrew Hartwig Dr. Andrew Hartwig www.iowacityoralsurge .rte Notice: This e-mail (including attachments) is covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. 2510-2521, is confidential and may be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any retention, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. Please reply to the sender that you have received the message in error, then delete it. Thank you. Marian Karr 3f(9) From: Geoff Fruin Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2015 11:38 AM To: 'Flora Cassiliano' Cc: Council Subject: RE: Gigabit Internet city Flora, Thank you for taking the time to email the City about broadband services. Broadband services are privately provided in Iowa City, which gives us limited ability to influence the speed in which those services are rolled out to the public. However, I can say that we are actively working to encourage both existing and prospective broadband service provides to take a more aggressive approach to expanding facilities and services. I am very optimistic that we are on the path to achieving a gigabit city designation in the coming years. Thank you for your interest. Best wishes, Geoff Fruin Assistant City Manager I City of Iowa City P: 319.356.5013 Web I Facebook ITwitter Proud Home of the Iowa Hawkeyes! From: Flora Cassiliano [mailto:FCassiliano@unfi.com] Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2015 8:18 AM To: Council Subject: Gigabit Internet city Good Morning — Cedar Falls is the only gigabit city in Iowa. When will Iowa City have such a service available? See this morning's article in the Press Citizen. The Des Moines register also from past Sunday. Thank you, Flora Cassiliano 219 Ronalds St. Iowa City, IA 52245 fcassilianogunfi.com flora.cassilianogmchsi.com This correspondence will become a public record. The information contained in this communication is confidential, may be privileged pursuant to the attorney-client privilege and/or the work product doctrine, may constitute inside information, and is intended only for the use of the addressee. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible to deliver it to the intended recipient, be advised that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately notify the sender by return email or by calling (860) 779-2800 ext 35555 and delete this communication and all copies, including all attachments. rOMIT CITY OF IOWA CITY WO) MEMORANDUM Date: January 8th, 2015 To: City Clerk From: Darian Nagle-Gamm, Traffic Engineering Planner Re: Item for January 20th, 2015 City Council meeting; Installation of YIELD signs on Woodside Drive at the intersection with Oakcrest Street. As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3B of the City Code, this is to advise the City Council of the following action. Action: Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A (5); Install YIELD sign on Woodside Drive at the intersection with Oakcrest Street. Comment: This action is being taken to clarify the right-of-way and to remind westbound drivers that they must yield to traffic on Oakcrest Street before entering the intersection. January 20, 2015 Mrs. Sudan Dulek Assistant city Attorney Iowa city IA Dear Mrs. Susan, Thanks for responding to my letter to the city council dated December 1, 2014. 1 was disappointed when i read the letter because the response was different from what i claimed in my letter about the hearing which was held in the city of Iowa City on November of 2013 by the city attorney not by the court. The decision has made the company loseing around 12,000 dollars, for the forty taxies. The second claim about the police investigation wasn't normal because they abused their power and investigated my company for two months and this came negative to scare all the forty drivers to quite working and we lost costomers and contraters at that time quite working with American taxi Company so i would like the city council to re-concider my request again. Adil Adams Owner of American taxi L,:- Copy to: City Council Thomas m. Markus -City Manager Geoff Fruin-Asst. City Manager Marian k. Karr -City Clerk 4 ..•�.,� CITY OF IOWA CITY 410 East Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240-1826 (3 19) 356-5000 (319) 356-5009 FAX www. icgov.org November 5, 2013 Adil Adams American Taxi Cab 2608 Bartelt Road, #2C Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear Mr. Adams: Pursuant to City Code Section 5-1-5, 1 am officially notifying you that a hearing has been scheduled for 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 13, 2013, in the Helting Conference Room at City Hall, 410 E. Washington St., Iowa City, Iowa. The hearing before the City Manager or designee is to determine whether the taxicab business license held by American Taxi Cab should be revoked for failing to return a decal in violation of City Code section 5-2-2(D)(3)(d). The City received notification of insurance cancellation of the 2001 Chrysler Town and Country (VIN # 2C8GT64L41R376431) on November 1, and you were asked on this date to return decal #330 immediately to the Clerk's Office. To date the decal has not been returned. If not immediately remedied, this violation may serve as sufficient grounds for revocation of your business license. Sincerely, Marian K. Karr City Clerk Enclosure: City Code 5-2-2(D)(3)(d) IOWA CITY PEOPLE'S CLIMATE MARCH Iowa City, Iowa, U.S. Sunday, September 21, 2014 With our future on the line, we are walking here in Iowa City in conjunction with the People's Climate March in New York City and with thousands of other climate organizations in hundreds of other countries around the globe. In New York, the occasion of the march is the United Nations Climate Summit. Here in Iowa City, our destination is the offices of local officials who have within their jurisdictions the ability to mitigate the devastating effects of climate change in our city and county and campus --and on our planet. We come with respectful demands for each level of our local leaders—and with thanks for what you have already done to begin addressing the effects of climate change. With our sisters and brothers in New York and around the world—many very vulnerable to climate change effects right now-- we are taking a stand to bend the course of history and protect ourselves and our planet before it is too late. What we do here affects not only our near neighbors but all those with whom we share the planet. To the City of Iowa City: We thank you for appointing a Sustainability Coordinator and completing a Sustainability Assessment. We also thank you for emphases on sustainability in our city's comprehensive plan and for the Environmental Education Center, built to LEED Platinum quality and the source of good waste management ideas. And we thank you for the 2009 Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory -- although we note the age of this Inventory. We ask that you • Create a commission, including citizens, to devise, within one year or less, a thorough climate mitigation and adaptation plan, being mindful of the human public health and species survival implications of climate change effects • Revise city codes and budgets to enact the mitigation and adaptation strategies of the commission's plan in a timely manner commensurate with the emergency we now face • Create incentives for all new buildings in Iowa City to exceed the State Energy Code by at least 40% and deny tax incentives to any new building proposal that does not achieve this level of energy savings • Identify ways that all city property—from parks to parking ramps—be used to enable diverse species that live in our city to survive and rebound and to mitigate and redress the effects of climate change wherever possible • Change the waste code to require that all dwelling units, including apartment buildings, have a recycling system for residents and a means to promote its use. Because the need for response now is acute, we will be in touch again at the end of 2014 asking what new action you have taken to address the present climate emergency. Respectfully, Iowa City Climate Advocates 100 Grannies for a Livable Future The Iowa City Area Group of the Sierra Club XGen Climate Physicians for Social Responsibility BOARD OF • Terrence Neuzil, Chairperson Janelle Rettig John Etheredge Rod Sullivan Pat Harney December 18, 2014 Dear Climate Marchers of Johnson County: The Johnson County Board of Supervisors would like to extend their gratitude to the climate marchers for their persistence and dedication in ensuring that the local conversation regarding climate change and environmental sustainability continues. To keep the conversation moving forward, the Johnson County Board of Supervisors ("Board") would like to respond to your concerns that were presented to Supervisor Rettig on September 21, 2014. Your concerns (in italics) and the Board's responses are listed below. Create a commission to devise, within one year or less, a thorough climate mitigation and adaptation plan, especially addressing the human public health effects of climate change. RESPONSE: The Board feels that any commission tasked with creating a climate mitigation plan should include Johnson County, the University of Iowa, and the five municipalities in the metro area at a minimum. Matters of public health, in particular, require a multi -jurisdictional approach. The commission should include local governmental employees, elected officials, and citizens. The Board plans to raise this topic with the other local governments. Because so much coordination would be needed, a one-year time frame for a plan may be difficult to meet. In the past, as part of Johnson County's commitment as a member of the Cool Cities 1 Cool Counties organization, Johnson County staff attended quarterly meetings organized by the Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County (MPOJC) in 2009. Unfortunately, the meetings were discontinued despite the commitment of Johnson County. The existing Johnson County Multi -Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan: 2014- 2019 addresses, in part, climate -related challenges through its focus on natural and/or human -caused hazards. The plan addresses issues in Johnson County cities, school districts, unincorporated areas, and the University of Iowa. The plan was prepared by the East Central Iowa Council of Governments in partnership with Johnson County and the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division. The plan uses a proactive, rather than reactive, approach. In addition, in early November, two Johnson County staff members in sustainability and in public health participated in an educational session on 913 SOUTH DUBUQUE STREET ♦ IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240-4207 e PHONE: (319) 356-6000 ♦ FAX: (319) 356.6036 understanding and ultimately responding to weather and climate changes. Discussions indicated there may be ways to integrate mitigation and adaption measures into existing plans. However, a thorough plan would ideally involve coordination with multiple jurisdictions, as noted above, and follow state -level guidance and goals. Revise county ordinances and budgets to enact the commission's plan in a timely manner commensurate with the emergency we now face. RESPONSE: The Johnson County Board of Supervisors has a strong track - record of supporting and adopting policies that support sustainable county operations and development. For example, the Board recently negotiated a power purchase agreement for one of the largest (individual) solar arrays in Iowa and has adopted ordinances that require sensitive area preservation, stormwater management, and conservation development, which works to curb sprawl within Johnson County. Please see Appendix A and Appendix B for more information. In 2012, the County secured a Small Wind Innovation Designation and adopted an ordinance to make it easier for residents in the unincorporated areas to install and use small wind turbines (Appendix C). The Board, in conjunction with public input, will be revising the County's land use plan, which may independently offer ways to address the efficient use of resources. Meanwhile, if the climate marchers have urgent concerns about specific land use ordinances, please let us know. Policy changes in recent years, including permitting small wind turbines, minimizing light pollution ("dark skies") and protecting sensitive areas, have come from public input. We don't have all the answers and would be glad to have your input. • Curtail the building of new roads and the widening of existing roads, instead focusing on development of public transportation, bikeways, and trails. RESPONSE: Johnson County's network of approximately 920 miles of rural roads is essential to the County's economic success. The Board has also constructed more than 5 miles of pedestrian/bike trails in the last decade. Those trails have worked to create connectivity between municipal areas, including the Dubuque Street trail connecting Iowa City and North Liberty. Additionally, the Board is working hard to facilitate the construction of two key trails: one from the urban areas to Kent Park and eventually to Iowa County, and a section of the Herbert Hoover Nature Trail that will connect West Branch, Solon, and Ely, Iowa. (Please see Appendix D for details.) The Board has responded to public support for trails, and is open to discussions about additional ideas for trails. When authorizing the rebuilding of roads, the Board of Supervisors normally elects to widen the road to make the road safer, longer lasting, and more accessible to bicyclists. This rebuilding typically does not add more lanes for motorized vehicles. The County has constructed approximately 35 miles of roads with wide shoulders. The portion of Sand Road SE between Iowa City and 520th Street SE and the portion of Prairie du Chien Road NE between Iowa City and Newport Road NE are examples of roads that have been widened and that now are safer, require less maintenance, and are popular with bicyclists. The Board is also supportive of the Iowa City and Coralville Mass Transit Districts, SEATS Paratransit, the MPOJC Long -Range Transit plan that supports non -single passenger vehicle forms of transportation, and the possible expansion of Amtrak to Iowa City. The East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG) is conducting surveys to find ways to bring public or shared transportation services among the seven -county area, including the corridor that includes Washington, Johnson and Linn counties. We encourage county residents to respond to these surveys, which are posted at the ECICOG website. Enable and encourage individuals' installation of solar power generation on their property by making the installation of solar panels a "permitted use" rather than an "accessory use." RESPONSE: The Johnson County Unified Development Ordinance intentionally does not address solar arrays for private / personal electricity generation. Currently, the Planning and Zoning Administrator considers solar panels and arrays to be integral to any permitted structure requiring electricity and thus regulated via the building permitting process. Essentially, this means that any permitted structure in Johnson County utilizing electricity may seek a building permit to install a solar array. The building permit process is not meant to be a hindrance to development, but is in place to ensure that all structures and their mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems (to include solar arrays) are installed and constructed safely and correctly. • Create incentives that encourage any new building proposals to sequester sufficient land for diverse species survival and to achieve energy efficiency that exceeds State Energy Code by 40%. RESPONSE: The Sensitive Areas Ordinance, Cluster Subdivision Design (Appendix E) Ordinance, and the Rural Cluster Zoning District (Appendix F), used for major subdivisions, work to preserve wildlife habitat. For example, instead of taking a 12 -acre parcel and dividing it into four 3 -acre lots, a subdivision would have six half -acre lots with 9 acres set aside as undeveloped open space that could potentially be wildlife habitat. In 2012, the County adopted the International Energy Conservation Code (2012 IECC, which put us at the forefront of energy efficiency. This past spring, the State of Iowa adopted the 2012 IECC, making it one of only nine states nationwide that have done so. Because the 2012 IECC is so energy efficient, in the opinion of Building Division staff, it is unfeasible to require new construction to exceed current state energy code by 40%. We would welcome discussing this topic in a meeting, as we are not clear how the 40% threshold was determined. However, the County does encourage builders to build homes that achieve energy efficiency at least 15% better than the IECC or achieve a Home Energy Rating System score of less than 70. This energy efficiency goal is one of the features of the County's optional Green Building Certification Program for new single-family homes in the unincorporated areas. The original program, a unique opportunity in Iowa, was created and adopted by the County in 2012 (Appendix G) and was recognized by the Iowa State Association of Counties with an excellence in innovation award. Require LEED platinwn design for any addition to or renovation of the Courthouse. RESPONSE: If the referendum had passed, the new Courthouse addition would have received LEED certification. However, due to the recent bond defeat, there will be no addition or major renovation of the Courthouse, and the Board is revisiting how to address the Courthouse's pressing needs. Regarding Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) in general, the County currently has two LEED Gold buildings and two LEED Silver buildings. The Board agrees that new County buildings and major renovations of existing County buildings need to be energy and resource efficient. To this end, the Board adopted in August 2014 a green Capital Projects Standards Process (Appendix H). For projects consisting of 2,000 or more square feet of conditioned space, the Board must consider pursuing LEED certification and uses the standards process to determine feasibility. While "Platinum" is the highest achievable level of LEED, voter positions on fiscal constraint generally will prohibit the County from pursuing Platinum for any new building or major addition. Moreover, given the flexibility of the LEED program, the most cost-effective energy and materials savings can often be well achieved through the other LEED levels—Gold, Silver and Certified. As part of the Capitals Projects Standards Process, the Board also can follow the County's Sustainability Minimum Standards (Appendix 1), These standards were also adopted in August 2014. Separately, Johnson County participates in the Iowa Public Buildings Benchmarking Program, which is hosted by the Iowa Energy Center. Through the program, we can better track energy usage throughout our existing buildings and work towards achieving energy and cost -savings. • Identify ways that all county property—from parks to parking ramps—be used to enable diverse species that live in our county to survive and rebound and to mitigate and redress the effects of climate change wherever possible. RESPONSE: At all County -level decision-making, preserving open space and sensitive area is paramount. The Board adopted in 2013 a stormwater management plan for all County buildings, and the County's soil and water conservation specialist works with the Johnson County Conservation Board on stormwater issues. If climate marchers see successful, tested approaches used by other local governments, please share those examples with us. The Johnson County Secondary Roads Department has a long-established program for Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management that ensures roadsides are safe, attractive and ecologically sound. The program manager will continue to incorporate best practices into the program. The Johnson County Conservation Board, which is a separate governing body from the Board, oversees County parks. The Conservation Board is actively engaged in acquiring and managing lands to ensure diverse species thrive. The Johnson County Board of Supervisors realizes that there is much that still needs to be accomplished and is honored to be part of local climate change conversation. The Board welcomes all input from the County's engaged residents regarding climate change, sustainability, and environmental preservation. Thank you again for your interest in the County's role in mitigating climate change and making Johnson County a more sustainable place for current residents and our future generations. Sincerely, ju " (�) Terrence Neuzil Chairperson Johnson County Board of Supervisors