HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-07-08 Info Packet~ i
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CITY OF IOWA CITY
www.icgov.org
CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION PACKET
July 8, 2010
JULY 12 SPECIAL WORK SESSION
IP1 Council Meetings and Work Session Agenda
IP2 Memorandum from Captain Wyss to the Interim City Manager: Animal Shelter Rebuild
Update
IP3 Memorandum from the City Clerk: Taxi Regulations
IP4 Summary of Pending Work Session Issues
IP5 Memorandum from the City Clerk: Proposed Meeting Schedule (September -December )
Invitation: Habitat for Humanity Public Officials Build Day, July 16 [Distributed at 7/12/10
Work Session]
DRAFT MINUTES
IP6 Memorandum from the City Engineer: Competitive Quotation Results
IP7 Memorandum from the Director of Public Works and the Director of Planning and Community
Development: Update: Flood-related activities
IP8 Building Permit Information June 2010
DRAFT MINUTES
IP9 Planning and Zoning Commission: June 17, 2010
IP10 Airport Commission: July 1, 2010
IP11 Housing and Community Development: June 30, 2010
IP12 Public Art Advisory Committee: July 1, 2010
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.~w~~~ CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION PACKET
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CITY OF IOWA CITY July 8, 2010
www.icgov.org
JULY 12 SPECIAL WORK SESSyON
IP1 Council Meetin and Work Session Agenda
IP2 Memorandum from aptain Wyss to the Interim City M Hager: Animal Shelter Rebuild
Update
IP3 Memorandum from the Cit Clerk: Taxi Regulations
IP4 Summary of Pending Work ssion Issues
IP5 Memorandum from the City Clerk: roposed Meetin Schedule (September -December )
DRAFT MINUXES
IP6 Memorandum from the City Engineer: Cor1~K
IP7 Memorandum from the Director of Public Wo
Development: Update: Flood-related activ
IP8 Building Permit Information June 2010 /
~ve Quotation Results
and the Director of Planning and Community
DRAF7C MINUT
IP9 Planning and Zoning Commission: une 17, 2010
IP10 Airport Commission: July 1, 2010
IP11 Housing and Community Devel pment: June 30, 2010
IP12 Public Art Advisory Committ e: July 1, 2010
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'' ~"®'~~ City Council Meeting Schedule and
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CITY OF IOWA CITY Work Session Agendas REVISED
July 9, 2010
www.icgov.org
• MONDAY, JULY 12 ~nnna ~. narvai ~ ~a~~
5:30p Special Work Session
^ Planning and Zoning Items "b,c,e "
• Council Appointments
• Agenda Items
Snacks provided Site of New Animal Shelter (IP#2]
• Aid to Agencies Appropriations -Recommendations from HCDC (IP#11]
• Funding of ECICOG
• Taxicab Policies (IP#3]
• Information Packet Discussion (Jun 17,24, Jul 1,8]
• Council Time
^ Budget Priorities
^ Summary of Pending Work Session Issues (IP#4]
• Upcoming Community Events/Council Invitations
• Discussion of Meeting Schedules (IP#5J
7:OOp Special Formal Council Meeting (Continue Work Session if necessary)
TENTATIVE MEETING SCHEDULE
SUBJECT TO CHANGE
• MONDAY, AUGUST 16 Emma J. Harvat Hall
6:30p Regular Work Session
• TUESDAY, AUGUST 17 Emma J. Harvat Hall
7:OOp Regular Formal Council Meeting
• FRIDAY, AUGUST 20 Emma J. Harvat Hall
8:OOa Special Formal Council Meeting -Executive Session (City Manager Search)
• MONDAY, AUGUST 30 Emma J. Harvat Hall
6:30p Special Work Session
• TUESDAY, AUGUST 31 Emma J. Harvat Hall
7:OOp Special Formal Council Meeting
• WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20 8/C ICPL
4:30p Joint Meeting (Separate Agenda Posted)
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,~ City Council Meeting Schedule and
CITY OF IOWA CITY Work Session Agendas IP1
www.icgov.org
• MONDAY, JULY 12 Emma J. Harvat Hall
5:30p Special Work Session
• Planning and Zoning Items "b,c,e "
• Council App 'ntments
• Agenda Items
Snacks provided Site of New Ani al Shelter (IP#2]
• Funding of ECIC G
^ Taxicab Policies IP#3]
^ Information Packet iscussion (Jun 7,24, Jul 1,8]
• Council Time
^ Budget Priorities
^ Summary of Pending ork Sessi n Issues (IP#4]
^ Upcoming Community ents/C until Invitations
^ Discussion of Meeting Sc edul (IP#5]
7:OOp Special Formal Council Meeting (Corl~i-~Ge Work Session if necessary)
TENTATIVE MEE~IN~SCHEDULE
SUBJECT O CH NGE
• MONDAY, AUGUST 16
6:30p Regular Work Session
• TUESDAY, AUGUST 17
7:OOp Regular Formal Council
• FRIDAY, AUGUST 20
8:OOa Special Formal Council
• MONDAY, AUGUST 30
6:30p Special Work Session
Emma J. Harvat Hall
Emma J. Harvat Hall
ng -Executive Sessio (City Manager Search)
Emma J. Harvat Hall
Emma J. Harvat Hall
• TUESDAY, AUGUST 31
7:OOp Special Formal Cou cil Meeting
• WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20
4:30p Joint Meeting (S arate Agenda Posted)
Emma J. Harvat Hall
8/C ICPL
IP2
MEMORANDUM
TO: Dale Helling, City Manager
FROM: Richard Wyss, Captain, Administrative Services
RE: Animal Shelter Rebuild Update
DATE: 6 July, 2010
Currently, the Animal Shelter is continuing to operate out of a temporary
facility located approximately five miles south of Iowa City on Sand Road. We
are continuing to work with FF.MA to rebuild the facility to a permanent
location. We will propose to relocate the Animal Shelter to a site located on
the west side of South Gilbert Street, south of the softball fields and north of
McCollister Blvd. (see attached map)
This site has been submitted to FEMA for review. The City currently owns
this property, and utility connections are near the site. This particular site is
outside the 500 year floodplain, is relatively centrally located, and it has
access to the trail system and green space.
FEMA is currently reviewing this site for environmental and archeological
considerations. If these considerations are met, we will submit this location to
Council for approval.
The funding sources for the project are as follows:
$1621829 from FEMA (combined FEMA and State reimbursement)
$ 267000 from insurance
$ 700000 from General obligation bonds
The City of Iowa City has applied for a grant and we are continuing to seek
other outside funding sources. The Animal Foundation has hired Renaissance
Group Inc (Des Moines) to initiate a capitol campaign to raise additional
revenue to support the Project.
The project must be completed by May of 2012.
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Date: July 7, 2010
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Marian K. Karr, City Clerk /~~
Re: Taxi Regulations
As you can tell from the attached information Iowa City has more taxi businesses, vehicles and
drivers than most in the State. Staff spends a great deal of time to follow the current
procedures, and recommends the changes outlined to improve service delivery both for cab
companies and their customers, as well as City staff. The City Attorney and I will be present at
the July 12th work session to answer any additional questions you may have and ask that you
provide direction to staff on proceeding with the recommendations identified. Copies of all
information will be shared with the companies as well.
Last March staff was directed to work with taxi companies on a number of items related to
operating a taxi company and report back. Issues identified included:
Digital signs
Insurance limits
Rates/taximeters
Cab stands
A meeting was scheduled and all companies invited to attend. The invitation letter and
summary minutes of that meeting are attached.
Minutes of that meeting were also distributed to appropriate staff for a response and/or to ask if
any additional issues should be considered.
The following City departments were asked to respond:
Police Department
Equipment
City Attorney
Risk Management
Parking & Transit
PCD Transportation
The following are staff's recommendations:
Digital Electronic Signs
Only one company interested in pursuing; and State law does not allow "flashing signs".
Council encouraged applicant to contact legislators to get State law clarification.
NO ACTION AT THIS TIME
Insurance Rates
See attached memo from Risk Manager
NO ACTION AT THIS TIME
Taxi Regulations
July 7, 2010
Page 2
Rates and Taxi Meters
Staff and Council have received comments regarding overcharging. There has been confusion
regarding "special event rates" as well. Staff is recommending that no special event rates be
allowed. Companies would establish their own rates, to be posted in the cab, and available
upon request. Rates would be based on miles or fractions of miles, and could allow for extra
rider stipulations. The posted rate card should encourage riders to ask for a receipt and/or call
company with rate concerns.
In addition we are recommending taximeters be required and if the taximeter is not working the
cab can not carry passengers.
A requirement that manifest logs be available upon request would also be added.
ACTION REQUIRED
Is there Council interest to pursue?
Cab Stands
Double Parking on Clinton: Staff is against allowing the double parking of cabs on Clinton St,
even between 11 PM and 6 AM. It is important to keep the travel lane open, especially at night
when motorists may not be as attentive. As parking spots open in the commercial vehicle
loading zones, cabs may park there. Cabs may also park in designated parking spaces or other
available loading zones (as can any vehicle) around the perimeter of downtown as they wait for
calls.
Allowing U-turn at the Fieldhouse round-a-bout: The east-bound movement on Grand Ave was
specifically permitted only for University Service and Safety vehicles due to the desire to
maintain as pedestrian-friendly a crossing as possible between the dormitories and other
university facilities on both sides of Grand Ave. Allowing cabs to U-turn at the round-a-bout
and travel east-bound on Grand Ave would erode this goal. Cabs, just like the general public,
are able to travel east-bound on Melrose Ave and Byington Road.
Incidentally, since the round-about was installed, traffic speeds have decreased significantly on
Grand Ave.
NO ACTION AT THIS TIME
Other
1) Require dispatching station and office; No dispatching from cars
2) Require 24/7 operation
3) Increase requirement to start a business to 4 vehicles
4) Add language re penalty if unlicensed cab is driving with bubble and lettering
ACTION REQUIRED
Is there Council interest to pursue?
Driver Badge
The current procedure requires a DCI report, certified driver record, police approval, and a
certificate of insurance for each driver per each company. After receiving the necessary
paperwork a photo ID badge is provided. With over 300 drivers licensed a great deal of staff
time is being spent especially handling countless changes to insurance certificates and
issuance of the photo badge. Starting July 1 the State now issues a temporary drivers licenses
(DL) and mails a permanent one within 21 days. This required monitoring each temporary DL
as well. The changes recommended below will still provide for Police review and City
"licensing" procedure but make some current requirements the responsibility of the company.
Taxi Regulations
July 7, 2010
Page 3
Staff recommends:
Continue to "license" drivers by requiring DCI check, certified driving record and Police approval
No photo ID would be provided or driver insurance filed with City
An individual would be "licensed" to drive a taxi for one or multiple companies (not one per each
company as currently provided)
Written notice of hearing handed to driver when cited by Police
Amend Code to make it the responsibility of the Company to:
Secure insurance for each driver
Insure each driver hired has a "license" from the City to drive
Provide each driver with a "badge or ID" identifying them as a driver for that company
Provide for 48 hours hearing on any driver cited
List of "licensed" drivers would be available on the internet 24/7
ACTION REQUIRED
Is there Council interest to pursue?
INSPECTION FEE
City Equipment Division currently inspects taxi vehicles and have the last taxi inspection cycle.
Over 103 inspections were performed from 1/1/2010 through 7/7/10. Currently there are 86
registered cabs, so some were not licensed after inspection, and a few inspected twice due to a
change of company affiliation.
Each inspection averaged $17.95. That cost does not include administrative items such as
scheduling, opening and closing the work orders, filing completed inspections, time spent
waiting for a tardy unit to show up, returning phone calls etc.
The current shop rate is $49.81 per hour and we schedule each inspection fora 1/2 hour time
slot, therefore we believe that a $25.00 per inspection fee is justified.
Institute a $25 inspection fee to be added to decal fee ($60)
ACTION REQUIRED
Is there Council interest to pursue?
Attachments: May invitation letter to companies
Summary of June meeting with companies w/ handouts
Memo from City Risk Manager re insurance
Information from other Iowa cities
List of currently licensed companies
May 25, 2010
«Owner Name»
«Owner_Name_2»
«Company»
«Address1»
«Address2»
«City» «State» «PostalCode»
Dear «Salutation»
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The City Council has been contacted regarding a number of items relative to operating a taxi
company in Iowa City, and has asked me to provide them information on possible modifications
to present regulations. I am contacting you to ask you to attend a meeting with staff to formulate
a recommendation to be sent to Council.
The meeting will be held Wednesday, June 9, in Harvat Hall, 410 East Washington Street from
3:00-4:00 PM. Please come prepared to discuss the following items:
- Digital signs
- Insurance limits
- Rates/taximeters
- Cab Stands
If you have specific suggestions on the above items please bring them in written form to the meeting.
Copies of your suggestions will be attached to the written summary provided to the City Council.
Our goal is to have the information to Council for discussion at their July 12 meeting, and any
changes requiring Council action on their August agenda.
I look forward to seeing you on June 9.
Sincerely,
Marian K. Karr, MMC
City Clerk
410 EAST WASHINGTON STREET • IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240-1826 • (319) 356-5040 • FAX (319) 356-5497
Summary Taxi Meeting -June 9, 2010
3:00 p.m.
Present:
American Taxi Cab, Adil Adams
Five Stars Taxi ,Teresia Bennett
Jowan Taxi Cab, Ali Ahmed
King Taxi Cab, Chris Cutkomp & Elshiekh Saied
Marco's Taxicab, Mark Paterno
United Cab, Mahamadou Traore
Yellow Cab, Roger Fisher & David Stoddard
Staff: City Clerk Marian Karr & Deputy Clerk Julie Voparil
City Clerk Karr opened the meeting with introductions and stated Council has received
requests from some companies on possible changes to the present ordinance/resolution,
as well as receiving comments reporting rate gouging. The purpose of this meeting was
to hear from the companies on suggestions they might have to make changes or address
issues.
Digital Electronic Suns
Five Star only company interested in pursuing
State law does not allow "flashing signs"
Council encouraged applicant to contact legislators to get State law clarification
Five Star is pursuing (via emails) change with legislators
Insurance Rates
Provide rate information of other municipalities to Council
Would the "change to 21" make a difference in insurance liability amount?
Insurance companies allowed to license taxi companies. (Code states insurance company
authorized to do business in the state.) What does that mean? Who determines
acceptance from out of state insurance carrier?
City Risk Manager to provide criteria for liability amounts and explanation for vehicle
size
Rates
Majority not interested in City setting rates
Rate cards should be more concise. (i.e. game day; football rates)
Educate rider to ask for a receipt (required if requested) and/or call company
Consumers being informed of rate; Many people from outside of the area.
Taxi Meters
Number of Iowa Cities do require taximeters
Concerns expressed on "regulating"
Functions/Settings
inspection
Meter required for every trip; if not working cab can not carry passengers
Could be viewed as "safe" guard for companies and drivers re rate complaints but doesn't
guarantee solution
General discussion:
• Rules and regulations (education/training) for taxi cab owners -similar to
Chicago
• Establishment of taxi commission to address problems among themselves
• Owners need to be more responsible and need to know punishment for driver and
company if overcharging occurs.
• Better Police enforcement and follow up. Majority felt Police didn't feel this was
big issue and bad companies or drivers knew that; told "civil matter"
• Needs to be incentives or punishments spelled out so violators knew
consequences
• No respect for following the rules
• 5 or 6 people are problems and giving whole industry bad name
Cab Stands
Allow double parking allowed from 11 p.m. - 6 a.m. on Clinton Street
Allow taxi's u-turn in front of University Fieldhouse just like buses.
Correspondence submitted on other issues from the following:
Marco's taxicab suggests:
Limit on number of taxi companies
No dispatching from cars; need 24 hours dispatching station
Color scheme back
More requirements to open a taxi company. Too easy to start one.
Yellow Cab suggests:
Better enforcement
Color scheme back
Centralized dispatching
5 vehicle limit, open 24 hours
Cabs should be de-cabbed when no longer licensed
Next business day instead of 24 hours waiting for decals
Trip logs required
Five Stars
More info on Digital signs coming
City Clerk Karr stated she would provide a draft summary of the meeting to all
companies, including handouts, and a timeline for additional correspondence. A final
summary and memo will be provided to Council for discussion at their work session on
July 12. Council will provide direction to staff and any action on changes would occur at
the August 17 formal meeting. Karr assured that all companies would be provided copies
of the information . She ended the meeting by encouraging companies to talk among
themselves and come up with suggestions or changes for Council consideration; noting
that the companies agreement on a change is important.
4:15 PM
Attachments
Submitted by Five Stars Taxi
Digital Signage -- Futuristic
Advertising with SBC
Very cool -- Vert Inc.'s "VID", or Vert Intelligent
Display, is a mobile video graphics display
module that mounts to the top of taxicabs and
receives advertising media through a wireless
internet connection. The VID uses GPS to
identify its location and change advertising
messages to correspond with advertiser's
geographic selections.
Futuristic Advertising Debuts with EPIC SBC On-
Board
09/27/2006
Vert Intelligent Display
Eugene, OR -VersaLogic Corp. announced today that the company's AMD GX 500-based single board
computer, the Gecko, has been designed into an innovative advertising media that integrates video,
internet, and GPS technology. Vert Inc.'s "VID", or Vert Intelligent Display, is a mobile video graphics
display module that mounts to the top of taxicabs and receives advertising media through a wireless
internet connection. The VID uses GPS to identify its location and change advertising messages to
correspond with advertiser's geographic selections. This technology allows, for instance, ads displayed in
the financial district to be different than those displayed when the taxi is in a university neighborhood.
VersaLogic Corp. will showcase Vert's display in their booth (# 921) at the Embedded Systems Conference
in Boston, September 26th - 27th. This futuristic device brings us closer to advertising one might find in
science fiction films such as Sony Picture's "The Fifth Element", and Ridley Scott's "Blade Runner', where
video advertising on flying vehicles may have been first suggested. The displays are now being used in
Boston and will soon be in use in Philadelphia, New Orleans, New York, Las Vegas, and other major cities.
The Gecko single board computer integrated into the display controls the ultra-bright LCD and coordinates
communication with the central server and GPS system. The Gecko is an EPIC-format single board
computer with an AMD GX 500 processor, ideal for mobile applications due to its low power consumption
(less than 5 Watts) and lack of moving parts (such as a fan). Features of the board include integrated
video and audio, up to 512 MB RAM, 10/100 Ethernet, 4 USB ports, 4 COM ports, analog/digital I/0, and a
CompactFlash socket for on-board media storage.
About Vert Inc.
A leader in the dynamic emerging digital tech industry, Vert is an advertising technology company and
developer of an innovative outdoor digital advertising network. Vert created the concept and technology
behind the Vert Intelligent Display and is expanding this exciting medium to advertisers and consumers
everywhere, creating a colorful new icon of urban street life. Vert has received Series Aventure-backing
from Hickory Hill Advisors, LLC. More information about Vert Inc. can be found at ~^~~,vw•J.~f.°rt,net,.
About VersaLogic Corporation
A leading supplier of industrial computers since 1976, VersaLogic focuses on high-quality board-level
products for embedded OEM applications. Product lines include EBX, PC/104, PC/104-Plus, EPIC, and STD
32 Bus. Their 5-year product availability guarantee and outstanding warranties demonstrate a
commitment to service. Industry-wide surveys rated the company as a "Platinum' level embedded board
vendor for the last three consecutive years. For more information, visit www.VersaLogic.com.
Source: W'e~-s_a:._o~ic_Corporation
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JUN 10 2010
City Clerk
Sowa Cin~, Iowa
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To: City Manager's Office /City Council of Iowa City
From: Marco's Taxicab Co.
Re: Suggestions for taxi regulations /modifications in Iowa City
-We would like to see the color scheme reinstated. It is our position that there is no
reason why a fleet of cars within the same company should not be the same. It is also our
position that another company shouldn't be allowed to replicate our cars via this
"loophole".
-We would like to see a cap on the number of cab companies in Iowa City. It seems like
there is a new taxi company opening up very often. Larger cities such as Des Moines and
Cedar Rapids (I am told) already have caps on the number of cab companies.
-For the safety of our community and all patrons riding in taxis; we would like a city
mandated requirement that all taxi companies have a 24 hour dispatch o ace. It is a
public hazard when taxi drivers are dispatching from their vehicles while they are
transporting customers.
Sincerely,
Mark Paterno (Marco's Taxicab Co.)
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JUN 10 2010
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b _ P.O. Box 428
Iowa City, IA 52244 JUN ~ 0 2010
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TO THE IOWA CITY CITY COUNCIL:
SUMMARY: While we understand that government regulation of our industry is
necessary to ensure the safety and welfare of our community, we recognize at the same
time such regulation may create an undue burden on our operations, reducing the
excellent level of service we offer to our customers. We strive to work with the cities of
Iowa City and Coralville to not only ensure our compliance with regulations, but to
ensure that our competitors comply as well, maintaining an even and profitable playing
field in our industry.
Here is a list of our present concerns, with notes on our position:
1. Enforcement. The Iowa City police necessarily have to deal with calls of brawls and
other violence, and we are not suggesting they should have other priorities. However,
the city of Iowa City has enacted a code regulating our industry, yet there is little time
for the police to enforce it. The sheer number of cab companies in Iowa City means that
several of them see an opportunity to skirt the law, and exploit the fact that getting
caught doing so is not likely.
2. Overcharging. While taxicab rates in our area are not regulated, the posting of our
rates is required. Cabs have every opportunity to post the rates they feel are
competitive. Yet, far too often our company has received complaints about other,
smaller companies charging exorbitant fares, far above the rates posted. In general, the
victims of these scams are tourists staying in the local hotels at the fringes of Iowa City,
or in Coralville. At Yellow Cab, we constantly hear reports of this happening. While
these visitors are free to accept or decline anorally-quoted rate and find a better deal, far
too often these scams are practiced during rush periods, such as late-night in the
downtown azea, when people who been out consuming alcohol can be taken advantage
of. We feel that price gouging harms our entire tourism industry, causing some to visit
less frequently. It might be the city's contention that implicit in the code requiring rate
cards, it is illegal to chazge above that amount. The attached chart shows that several
cities in Iowa feel this might not be implicit, as they have adopted separate language.
~1~~ Yellow Cab of Iowa City .~`._,
b _ P.O. Box 428
Iowa city, IA 52244 JUN 10 2010
~OWi4~C1TY (319) 338-9777 c~~y czzt~
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While posted rates are kept low through dynamic competition, we embrace the adoption
of city code enforcing each cab company's maximum rate on file.
3. Meters should be required. At present, taxicab companies in Iowa City are not
required to use taximeters in their cabs. This practice creates the bad tendency leading
to overcharging, since the customer is not aware of the running total, nor has a good line
of sight to the odometer, which is often used in place of a taximeter. Iowa City is the
only major metropolitan area in Iowa not requiring taximeters.
4. Color schemes. The lack of distinctive color schemes for individual cab companies
prevents the consuming public from making an informed choice. Without the ability to
effectively `brand' ourselves through cab appearance, we cannot enjoy the fruits of our
efforts to provide excellent, reliable service. Other companies who do not make these
efforts tend not to suffer consequences of their bad service, as all cabs begin to blend in
and look similar. 'This affects not only the Iowa City public, but our tourists as well.
Problems also arise when other cab companies use radio scanners to monitor dispatches,
sending their own cabs in place of ours. Most major metropolitan areas in Iowa require
distinctive color schemes for licensed taxicabs.
5. Centralized dispatching. Smaller eab companies rely on a driver to provide
dispatching to other cabs in their company. Often, this is done while in transit, and use
of cell phones for this purpose creates an unacceptable safety hazard. Further, customers
of these operations have no central location in which to lodge complaints or retrieve lost
articles. We feel centralized dispatching should be required.
6. Strict coding language. Certain language in the current code prevents timely and
efficient interaction between cab companies and the City. For new vehicle stickers, the
Code currently requires 24 hours from the time of application to the dispensing of the
sticker, presumable to allow the City time for processing. The 24-hour language is taken
literally, and stickers (although processed and waiting) are not given out until the
beginning of the 25th hour. A change in language to `Next Business Day' would be
more efficient and allow us to provide better service to the public. Further, strict
language also affects down-time during the annual March 1St transition. Abetter way
can be found to serve the interests of the city, while minimizing taxicab down-time.
~1~~W Yellow Cab of Iowa City
P.O. Box 428
Iowa City, IA 52244 :+,
JUN 10 2010
~iowa~Clrr (319) 338-9777 c~cy Clerk
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7. Trip logs should be required. Several cities in Iowa require the keeping of trip logs
for taxicab companies. Above all, this is a safety issue, meaning that should a situation
require it, the police department might be able to ascertain where a certain individual
was picked up and dropped off. Should a witness to a crime see a suspect get into a
taxicab in Iowa City, having such a record available would assist the police in finding
the individual. In addition, it would help verify which taxicab company hauled an
individual, should that person file a complaint with the city. As noted above, the lack of
effective color scheming means that some people might not be aware of which taxicab
company they are riding with.
I have available to discuss these issues at any time. Please contact me for more
information. Thank you very much.
Roger E. Bradley
Manager
Yellow Cab of Iowa City
yellowcabic@gmail.com
IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF IOWA IN AND FOR JOHNSON COUNTY INC. NO.: 2olooos927
COMPLAINT FREV. INC. NO.:
CITY OF IOWA CITY ~LSM``' mb~q(~. ~B~C'~-.L~~
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- TA HCDL
CORALVILLS, IA 52241 i9' M 511 240 BLU
CITY. STATE ZIP RACE SEX HEIGHT WGT EYE
BRITTON DAB MORE is accused of the crime of
STATB CAAUFFBIIR'3 LICSNSS RSQIIIRSD
in violation of Section of the Iowa Criminal Code or Ordinance No. s-2-5
of the City of Iowa City in that he did, on or about the 19 day of February 2010 , at
(Time:) 2034 (Location:) COLLSGB sT. / CLINTaN sT. in Johnson County, State of Iowa
No person shall operate a motorized taxicab on the st=eats of the city, no person who owns
or controls a motorized taxicab shall permit it to be so driven, and no motorized taxicab"'
licensed by the city shall be so drives for hire unless the driver of such motorized
vehicle shall have first obtained and shall have then in force a chauffeur's license issued
under the provisions of the code of Iowa, as amended. '
BOOKING OFFICER
Stevens #6
COMPLAINANT(S)
1, the undersigned complainant, being first duly sworn on oath, do hereby depose and state {believe the above named
Defendant committed the above named public offense based on the following facts:
At listed time and date, Black and Gold Cab vehicle for. hire (lic 208XDZ) was stopped while
delivering a fare to the area of Collage and Clinton St. The driver had in his possession
a transaction list containing the last fifteen to twenty fares on this date, and pages
containing fares from previous dates. Black and Gold Cab as a taxicab business permitted
the driver of the taxicab to operate as a driver without first obtaining a chauffeur's
license issued by the state of Iowa. The defendant is the owner of Black and Gold Cab.
Lure of Stevens #6 on ORIGINAL
COMPLAINANT(S)
1 hereby promise to appear in said court at 417. S. Clinton St., Iowa City, IA 52240
on ar before at .Anyone who willfully fails to appear in court as specified shall be guilty of a
misdemeanor. The court may then issue a warrant of arrest for the defendant as specified in Section 805.5 of the Code
of Iowa.
SIGNATURE OF DEFENDANT
I, the undersigned Judicial Magistrate, have determined from the complaint that there is probable cause to believe that the
Defendant named in the complaint committed the public offense as charged above.
Dated this day of , 20
JLIDICIAL MAGISTRATE
iowA ci~r Po~~cE
r
^•~,,,.~ ,~,~,~ CITY ~ F I C) W A C[ T Y
~~~
Date: June 25, 2010
..~-
To: Marian Karr, City Clerk ~'
From: Melissa Miller, Risk Manager
Re: Insurance Requirements for Taxi Cabs
I've reviewed the insurance requirements for taxi cabs with the City's Finance Director and
insurance broker. Below is the informatian you requested as a result of the June 9'~ meeting
you had with various taxi companies.
1) Combined Liability requirements for various municipalities (to cover the insured's liability for
bodily injury or death of one ar more persons and destruction of property other than that of the
insured as a result of any one accident or other cause}:
Iowa City - $1,000,000
Des Moines - $750,000
Davenport - $500,000
Council Bluffs - $500,000
Cedar Falls - $300,000
Cedar Rapids - $250,000
2) Premium information - AW Welt Ambrisco provided the following estimates for what the
annual premiums would be for the following limits:
$1,000,000 combined limit -approximately $4,150 per taxi cab
$750,000 combined limit -approximately $3,938 per taxi cab
$500,000 combined limit -approximately $3,642 per taxi cab
3) To do business in the state of Iowa, the insurer must be licensed and this can be checked by
looking at the Iowa Insurance Division's website:
http~//www.iid.state.ia.us/insurance companies/index.asp
In addition, the taxi company's insurance agent could face civil, administrative and potentially
criminal issues if they were to issue a certificate on behalf of an insurer not permitted to do
business in the state of Iowa, as would the insurer.
4) Do I believe the "21 only" change will significantly decrease the exposure facing taxi
companies? No
5) The City's $1,000,000 liability limit was established many years ago. Factors that were
considered when establishing the limit were a) trying to ensure adequate coverage for the public
in the event of an accident, b) that the taxi industry is a specialized industry with high over the
road exposure and high public contact, c} the fact that Iowa City has heavy pedestrian and
bicycle traffic, d) the continuous rise in medical costs and e) the numerous community and
University of Iowa sponsored events that take place throughout the year which result in large
June 25, 2010
Page 2
crowds and an influx of visitors into the community.. These factors still exist today and it is Risk
Management's recommendation tha# the general liability limits remain unchanged.
Please let me know if you have any questions or I can be of further assistance.
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Updated 7/2/10
LICENSED TAXI COMPANIES IN IOWA CITY- 2010
1) Aardvark Taxi
1016 Diana Street, Iowa City, IA 52240
(ph. 936-4741)
(3 Vehicles) Owner: Peter Wezeman
11) Marco's Taxicab Co.
44 Sturgis Corner Drive, Iowa City, IA 52246
(ph. 337-8294)
(12 Vehicles)
Owners: Mark Paterno, Pete Johnson
2) Airport Shuttle Service
2121 Arthur Collins Parkway SW.
Suite 22
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
(ph. 319-365-0655; Local ph. 337-2340)
(8 Vehicles) Owner: Michael Green
3) American Class Taxi
3007 First Avenue SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52405
(ph. 319-363-8294)
(2 Vehicles) Owner: Nazar Osman
4) American Taxicab
2608 Bartelt Road, #2C, Iowa City, IA 52246
(ph. 936-3135)
(5 Vehicles) Owners: Adil Adams,
Ebrahem Koko
5) Big Ten Taxi
1404 Prairie Du Chien Rd. Iowa City, IA 52245
(ph. 471-3533)
(2 Vehicles) Owner: David Tiet
6) Black and White Cab
P. O. Box 5773, Coralville, IA 52241
(ph. 621-4193)
(5 Vehicles) Owner: Khatim Ibrahim
7) Five Stars Taxi
1911 Keokuk Street, Iowa City, IA 52240
(ph. 358-5859)
(9 Vehicles) Owners: Hatem Moustafa, Yasser
Gaber, Mohamed Hassanein
8) Iowa Cab
2530 Bartelt Road, #1 C, Iowa City, IA 52246
(ph. 471-7888)
(2 Vehicles)
Owners: Samir Amin, Kamel Slama
9) Jowan Taxi Cab
2401 Bartelt Road, #1A, Iowa City, IA 52246
(ph. 936-9100)
(2 Vehicles) Owner: Ali Ahmed
10) King Taxi Cab
2530 Bartelt Road, 1A, Iowa City, IA 52246
(ph. 936-6011)
(3 Vehicles) Owner: Elshiekh Saied
12) Number One Cab
2421 James Street, #32,
Coralville, IA 52241
(ph. 930-2221)
(5 Vehicles) Owner: Pam Alawneh
13) Red Line Cab
1427 Aber Avenue, Iowa City, IA 52246
(ph. 631-5146)
(2 Vehicles) Owner: Hany Hamza
14) United Cab
1615 Aber Avenue, #1, Iowa City, IA 52246
(ph. 621-6565)
(2 Vehicles)
Owners: Mahamadou Traore,
Oumar Diallo
15) Victory Taxicab
725 Emerald Street,#19D, Iowa City, IA 52246
(ph. 330-9100)
(6 Vehicles)
Owner: Adil Osman
16) VinaSun Taxicab
2557 Indigo Drive
Iowa City, IA 52240
(ph. 321-9553)
(2 Vehicles)
Owner: Son Minh Nguyen
17) Yellow Cab
P. O. Box 428, Iowa City, IA 52244
(ph. 338-9777)
(14 Vehicles)
Owners: David Stoddard, Jeffrey Stoddard,
Dennis Stevens
18) PEDICAB:
I.C. Ecocabs
736 Kirkwood Avenue, Iowa City, IA 52240
(ph. 438-2227)
(2 Vehicles)
Owners: Vikram Patel, Veena Patel
Totals as of 7/7/10
86 vehicles
300 drivers
U:Taxicompanylisting2010.doc
Page 1 of 1
Marian Karr
From: Mark Paterno [paternorealtor@yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2010 12:45 PM
To: Marian Karr
Subject: Taxi Policies, Etc
Hello,
Marco's Taxi would like to offer the following positions /suggestions to the City of Iowa City
regarding taxi policies.
-We would like to have the color scheme reinstated.
-We would like to see financial consequences for drivers and their company when price gouging
and operating a vehicle that is not licensed occur.
-We would like to see an increase in the minimum number of taxicabs each company is required
to have operating in order to open a taxi company. We believe the minimum number of cabs
should be five.
We believe the insurance requirements are appropriate and do not need changed.
-We support a requirement for companies to use taximeters.
-We believe from a safety standpoint; all taxi companies should be required to have a 24 hour
dispatch office with a land line. It is a public safety hazard for any taxi driver to dispatch from a
cell phone while transporting customers.
-We would be open to supporting a cap on the total number of taxi companies allowed to
operate /open in Iowa City.
Thank you,
-Mark Paterno
Cell: 319-936-7447
Fax: 319-351-6889
Coldwell Banker Real Estate Professionals
Licensed Realtor in the State of Iowa
7/7/2010
IP4
SUMMARY OF PENDING WORK SESSION ISSUES
7/8/ 10
Meet with Parks & Rec Commission re: Affiliate Groups (AUGUST 16)
Sunday Bus Service (AUGUST 16)
Aid to Agencies Appropriations -Recommendations from HCDC (AUGUST 16)
Location of Affordable Housing (AUGUST/SEPTEMBER)
Review Function of Boards/Commissions: Explore Possible Consolidations
Brick Streets Repair/Funding Strategy (SEPTEMBER)
Alley Inventory (FALL `10)
Economic Development Projects Update (NOVEMBER)
Flood Response & Mitigation Update (PERIODIC)
August 16 - 17
August 30 - 31
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CITY OF I01IVA
CIT
MEMORANDUM
DATE: July 8, 2010
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Marian K. Karr, City Clerk ~1~~
RE: Proposed Meeting Schedule (;September -December)
Attached is a meeting schedule for September through December. Scheduling in
accordance with the policy of formal meetings being held the first and third Tuesday of
each month was followed with the exception of Council Members sharing absences with
me. Please take a look at the schedule, check your calendars, and let me know on
Monday evening during your work session of any potential changes you would like to
make in the meeting schedule. A couple of observations:
^ City Manager interviews with City Council will be September 20 and/or 21
^ City Manager finalists interviews with Council, former Mayors, Board &
Commission Chairs and the Meet & Greet public event will be scheduled
sometime September 27, 28 or 29.
^ One member is unable to attend the work session on October 4. If the meeting
was changed to the following week another is unable to attend the formal Tuesday
evening the 12th
^ Council expressed interest in meeting with area legislators in November or
December. Typically we provide a couple of options for the legislators.
Attachment: September -December calendar
U: schedule PROPOSED (Sept -decst2010)
September 2010
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
-- ___ _ .
'~ 1
i
2
3
4
i
5 g 7 I g ; g 10 11
HOLIDAY Combined
I
12 ~ 13 14 15 16 ~ 17 18
i
19 20 ws ~' 21 22 23 24 ~~ 25
City Mgr. City Mgr. League Meeti~lg
Interviews Interviews
~ ~
I
__ _ _ ..
26
27
_
28 ~ 29
30
City Manager Interviews & Events
October 2010
_ ..
Sun
' Mon
Tue
-
Wed
_ -
-
_
Thu
____
Fri
__. __
Sat
-- -----._-_
__ __ _. -
. 1 I
~ 2
3 4 ws ~ ~ 6 ~ 7 ~ 8 ~ 9
10 11 12 13 14
,. 15 16
17 18 ws 19 20 21 ~ 22 23
Joint
Meeting
-
-
...
24
25
26
__ ... _
27
28
29
30
31
November 2010 _
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3 4 5 6
Election
Day ,
7 8 9 10 11 12 ~ __ - - 131._ _._ ._
HOLIDAY
14
15ws
16
17 18
19 __. _ _.
20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
HOLIDAY HOLIDAY
28
29 ws
30 ___ __
December 2010
_ _.. _ _
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
- ----- _
1 2 3 4
5 6 ws 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
HOLIDAY
26 27 28 29 30 31
HOLIDAY
Page 1 of 1
Marian Karr
From: Kasie Ver Schuure ~kasie@iowavalleyhabitat.org]
Sent: Thursday, July 08, 2010 12:15 PM
To: Council; eofficials@co.johnson.ia.us; david.jacoby@legis.state.ia.us; jeff.kaufmann@legis.state.ia.us;
vicki.lensing@legis.state.ia.us; mary.mascher@legis.state.ia.us; nathan.reichert@legis.state.ia.us;
joe.bolkcom@legis.state.ia.us; james.hahn@legis.state.ia.us; david.leshtz@mail.house.gov
Subject: Reminder: Habitat for Humanity Public Officials Build Day next Friday!
Hello,
Just a reminder that Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity is holding a Public Officials Build Day, and we
have many volunteer spots still available! Please join us in volunteering on Friday, July 16 from 1-5 p.m.
This build shift will take place on the ROOMforALL Build, located at 2512 Aster Avenue in Iowa City. Oumar
and Fatou Diallo, refugees of Guinea, will be the future Habitat partner family that will be calling this home their
own.
The ROOMforALL Build will unite groups throughout the entire community into one body to help them
serve others and to discover the importance of housing. This build will involve people from all walks of life
-- from businesses, faith communities, community and service groups, and more -- bringing them together
to make one family's dream of homeownership come true.
Tentative tasks for the day include hanging the trusses, installing rakes and sub facia, and sheathing the
roof, doors, and windows. As always, you don't need to posses any construction experience to take part
in this opportunity, as we'll have our construction crew on-hand ready to assist throughout the day.
Many of you have seen pictures or toured Habitat for Humanity homes, now is your chance to take part in
the excitement and help build up our community! Interested parties can sign up or get more information
by contacting Michelle, our volunteer coordinator, at volunteer(c~iowavalleyhabitat.org or 337.8949.
Thank you to those who've signed up to take part, and my apologies for the repetitive email
Hope to see you out on the build site next Friday!
Kasie Ver Schuure
Director, Resource Development
Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity
P: 319.337.8949 F:319.354.3527
E: kasie iowavallevhabitat.ora
www.IowaValleyHabitat.orq
Upcomino events // Learn about the families we're helping // Donate now!
®Facebook Twitter r~Youtube
7/8/2010
r
~~•_,;,®~r CITY CJF IOWA CITY ~P6
'~~°~~~ M E 1VI Q RA V D U 1VI
Date: July 7, 2010
To: City Council
From: Ronald R. Knoche, City Engineer n,
Re: Competitive Quotation Results /~
2010 Summer Sidewalk Repair Project
Competitive quotations for the 2010 Summer Sidewalk Repair Project were opened on
July 7, 2010 and the following quotes were received:
Bud Maas Concrete Iowa City, IA $ 34,012.80
All American Concrete West Liberty, IA $ 37,736.00
Feldman Concrete Dyersville, IA $ 38,310.40
LJ Stevens & Company Solon , IA $ 39,530.40
Engineer's Estimate ~ 55,000.UU
Public Works and Engineering recommended and the City Manager awarded the
contract to Bud Maas Concrete of Iowa City, Iowa. The project will be funded with Road
Use tax revenues.
Communication Duct Installation Combined Projects
Competitive quotations for the Community Communication Duct Installation Combined
Projects were opened on July 1, 2010 and the following quotes were received:
Advanced Electrical Services Iowa City, IA $ 79,137.00
Slabach Construction Kalona, IA $ 92,433.00
MasTec North America Hugo, MN $ 118,931.28
Engineer's Estimate $ 85,000.00
Information Technology Services recommended and the City Manager awarded the
contract to Advanced Electrical Services of Iowa City, Iowa. The project will be funded
with General Obligation bond proceeds.
~~r®~ CITY OF IOWA. CITY 1P7
~ ~'~ ~~~
,~®,,~ R1~ ~ D ~ M
~E~C~
Date: July 8, 2010
To: City Council
From: Rick Fosse, Director of Public Works
Jeff Davidson, Director of Planning and Community Development
Re: Update: Flood-related activities
RELOCATION OF THE NORTH WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY
• Continuation of manhole survey completing 343 manholes through July 2,
2010
• IDNR assigned Gabe Lee as PM and point of contact for IDNR activities
• Contacted Gabe Lee requesting scheduling of project initiation
conference with IDNR in July
• Discussions with Dave Elias on increasing MLSS operation and WW
characterization sampling
• Continued preparations for the process workshop on July 13tH
• Continued planning for secondary clarifier testing and aeration basin off-
gas testing
• Continued development of BioWin model
• Continued planning plant energy assessment and plant condition
assessment
• Review of IDNR & 10 states standards for redundancy and freeboard
requirements
• Completed residential, commercial and industrial landuse delineations in
GIS
• Reviewed current Flow Meter Data
• Prepared initial survey data to be added into GIS
• Began building SWMM model -entered pump curves, infiltration and
temporal variations
DUBUQUE STREET ELEVATION AND PARK ROAD BRIDGE REPLACEMENT
July 27, 2010 Consultant interviews
July 30, 2010
Aug 2 - 20, 2010
August 31, 2010
September 1, 2010
Water Division
Final selection
Contract negotiations & EDA approval
Recommend Contract for City Council approval
Notice to proceed for design
River Crossings (same as last week)
• Due to the lack of `obligation' designation from FEMA we have curtailed the design and
construction of replacement of two 12" river crossing repairs (Old Plant and Hwy 6).
• Howard R Green Consultants (HRG) has submitted a draft of scope of services for
design, bid specifications and inspection of the interim project to repair and support the
undermined sections of the two existing 12" water mains. We will wait to see if FEMA
funding comes through for the replacement project.
July 8, 2010
Page 2
• Still no word on FEMA funding for this project.
Peninsula Source Protection
• The HRG Hazard Mitigation Study is the source of planning for proposed funding and
projects on the peninsula site and the plant site improvements.
• The PW and Hazard Mitigation Plan for peninsula work; CW 3, CW 4, SW 4, JW 2 and
the respective electrical systems has been `obligated' by FEMA.
• Plans and Specifications for the Hazard Mitigation projects are being scheduled for
public hearings with the City Council in order to put them out for bid. The proposed
schedule will have the projects completed by 12/31/10.
• A City Floodplain Development Permit Application was
HIS for the project(s).
• The project is out for bid. A pre-bid meeting was
contractors. Bid opening is scheduled for 7/8/10. Cit
tentatively scheduled for 7/12/10. Notice to Proceec
project completion scheduled for 12/31/10.
Water Works Prairie Park Source Protection
approved by Julie Tallman with
held on 6/28/10 for interested
Council to award a contract is
is scheduled for 7/26/10 with
• The HRG Hazard Mitigation Study is being used for additional funding requests for
hazard mitigation for plant site well houses.
• We have received notice that the FEMA funding application has been approved. We are
awaiting the funds to be approved by Congress.
• David Purdy and Sara Sproule attended a Grant Pre Award Meeting in Urbandale on
6/18/10.
• A meeting with David Purdy and Sara Sproule and the Water Division will be scheduled
in the week of July 12, 2010.
PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
• Four more properties (716 Eastmoor, 723 Eastmoor, 527 Normandy, and 893 Park
Place) were acquired with CDBG funds. The City has acquired a total of 49 residential
properties with Federal and State funds. Of the 49 properties, 31 of the properties have
been acquired through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, 12 with Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, and six with Community Disaster Grant (CDG)
funds. The first round of demolitions of homes acquired with CDBG funds was
completed last week. Six homes were demolished. A total of 38 properties have been
demolished in the Parkview Terrace and Taft Speedway neighborhoods.
Staff completed work with projects funded through the Community Disaster Grant
program. These include the acquisition of a home in the Parkview Terrace
neighborhood, the purchase of the remaining acres of the Showers Addition, and
assisting 3 small businesses affected by the 2008 flood that were not eligible for other
programs.
• Staff is preparing a grant application to the I-JOBS II program for the West Side levee. It
will be on the July 12th City Council meeting agenda. More information will be included in
a Council memo.
Staff is continuing work on an application to fund a tornado safe room near the Public
Works building in Napoleon Park. The park is heavily used during the summer. The safe
room would protect park users against high winds and tornados.
July 8, 2010
Page 3
• Staff continues to review Jumpstart applications for disbursing State Jumpstart 2 and
State Jumpstart 3 funding for housing rehab/repair, down payment assistance and
interim mortgage assistance. A total of $1.71 million in State Jumpstart funding has
been used to assist 76 flood-impacted residential households and $861,000 in Federal
Jumpstart funding has been used to assist 17 households.
The State recently announced that the application deadline for all disaster recovery
business programs is now December 31, 2010. The City continues to accept
applications for the following programs: Loan Interest Supplement Program, Residential
Landlord Business Support Program, Commercial Rental Revenue Gap Program,
Equipment Reimbursement Assistance Program, Flood Insurance Reimbursement
Program, and Expanded Business Rental Assistance Program.
~. vv-~v
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BUILDING PERMIT INFORMATION
June 2010
KEY FOR ABBREVIATIONS
.Type of Improvement
ADD -Addition
ALT -Alteration
REP -Repair
FND -Foundation Only
NEW -New
OTH -Other type of construction
Type of Use
RSF -Residential Single Family
RDF -Residential Duplex
RMF -Three or more residential
RAC -Residential Accessory Building
MIX -Mixed
NON -Non-residential
OTH -Other
Page : 2 City of Iowa City
Date: 7/1/2010 Extraction of Building Permit Data for
1'0 :
From : 6/ 1 /2010
6/30/2010
Census Bureau Report
Tyne Type
Permit Number Name Address Impr Use Stories Units Valuation
BLD09-00236 ACE AUTO RECYCLERS IN 2752 S RIVERSIDE DR ADD NON 1 0 $139,410
OFFICE AND SHOP ADDITION FOR AUTO RECYCLERS
Total ADD/NON permits : 1 Total Valuation : $139,410
BLD10-00326 JULIA LEONARD 525 N VAN BUREN ST ADD RAC I 0 $20,000
CONVERT DETACHED GARAGE TO WORKSHOP WITH ADDITION
Total ADD/RAC permits : 1 Total Valuation : $20,000
BLD10-00270 BARBARA BARLOW 1346 OXFORD PL ADD RMF 0 0 $42,089
ADDITION AND BASEMENT FINISH FOR RMF UNIT
Total ADD/RMF permits : 1 Total Valuation : $42,089
BLD10-00232 THE PADDOCK L L C 151 POLOPONY CT ADD RSF 1 0 $26,122
ADDITION FOR SFD
BLD10-00350 JEFFREY A BRAVERMAN 34 REDBUD PL ADD RSF 0 0 $19,500
SCREEN PORCH ADDITION FOR SFD
BLD10-00224 PAT & BETH INGRAM 8 WREXHAM DR ADD RSF 0 0 $18,000
DECK ADDITION FOR SFD
BLD10-00327 NINA NICOLA 2212 F ST ADD RSF 2 0 $15,000
ATTACHED GARAGE ADDITION FOR SFD
BLD10-00269 ANN FLETCHER 742 WHEATON RD ADD RSF 0 0 $10,000
DECK AND PATIO DOOR ADDITION FOR SFD
BLD10-00260 RICHARD L CRAIG 159 APPANOOSE CT ADD RSF 1 0 $8,000
ATTACHED GARAGE ADDITION FOR SFD
BLD10-00281 KEENS SWETT 1101 TOWER CT ADD RSF 0 0 $8,000
DECK ADDITION FOR SFD
BLD10-00305 ANN K DAILEY 2509 FRIENDSHIP ST ADD RSF 0 0 $7,000
DECK ADDITION FOR SFD
BLD10-00347 DOUGLAS M & ASHLEY K C 3182 WELLINGTON DR ADD RSF 1 0 $6,500
Sccreen porch over existing uncovered deck
BLD10-00214 VIRGINIA GAFFNEY 1412 TRACY LN ADD RSF 0 0 $3,000
DECK ADDITION FOR SFD
BLD10-00339 CASEY BOYD LLC 1444 TOFTING CIR ADD RSF 0 0 $2,000
DECK ADDITION FOR SFD
Total ADD/RSF permits : 11 Total Valuation : $123,122
BLD10-00242 MCC IOWA LLC ATTN TAX 1 546 SOUTHGATE AVE ALT NON 1 0 $66,950
REMODEL OFFICE BUILDING
BLD10-00322 CITY OF IOWA CITY 2105 BROADWAY ST ALT NON 0 0 $25,000
DECK REPLACEMENT FOR NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER
BLD10-00279 NEW PIONEER'S COOP SO 22 S VAN BUREN ST ALT NON 1 0 $11,200
REPLACE WINDOWS & MASONRY ON WEST AND SOUTH FACADE
Page: 3
Date : 7/1/2010
To : 6/ 1 /2010
From : 6/30/2010
City of Iowa City
Extraction of Building Permit Data for
Census Bureau Report
Tvue Type
Permit Number Name Address Impr Use Stories Units Valuation
Total ALT/NON permits : 3 Total Valuation : $103,150
BLD10-00338 CLARK & BARBARA SMITH 109 S SUMMIT ST ALT RDF 0 0 $10,000
KITCHEN/BATH REMODEL FOR RDF UNIT
Total ALT/RDF permits : 1 Total Valuation : $10,000'
BLD10-00290 PRESTIGE PROPERTIES LL 610 CHURCH ST ALT RMF 2 0 $90,000
ALTERATION OF RMF UNITS
BLD10-00203 JERRY WEAR 730 MICHAEL ST ALT RMF 0 0 $45,000
REMOVE MANSARDS, REROOF, RESIDE, REPLACE WINDOWS
BLD10-00318 DONALD OR GAYLE DUNC 1028 NEWTON RD ALT RMF 0 0 $11,500
REMOVE MANSARD ROOF AND RESIDE RMF
BLD10-00280 JOHN ROFFMAN 332 S LINN ST ALT RMF 0 0 $3,500
ALTERATION OF APARTMENT #418
BLD10-00282 TRIPLE CROWN CONDO AS 2664 TRIPLE CROWN LN ALT RMF 3 0 $3,200
REPLACE BRICK VENEER WITH VINYL SIDING
BLD10-00283 TRIPLE CROWN CONDO AS 2780 TRIPLE CROWN LN ALT RMF 3 0 $3,200
REPLACE BRICK VENEER WITH VINYL SIDING
Total ALT/RMF permits : 6 Total Valuation : $156,400
BLD10-00268 PRIME VENTURES CONSTRI 901 PARK RD
ALTERATION FOR SFD
BLD10-00344 CINDY PARSONS, KATY KL 108 PEARL ST
BASEMENT FINISH FOR SFD
BLD10-00191 JASON LEE 3421 KILLARNEY RD
BASEMENT FINISH FOR SFD
BLD10-00313 VERONIKA KOLDER 1430 CAMP CARDINAL R
KITCHEN REMODEL FOR SFD
BLD10-00315 JINN & OI NI 3431 KILLARNEY RD
BASEMENT FINISH FOR SFD
BLD10-00190 RICK NELSON 3411 KILLARNEY RD
BASEMENT FINISH FOR SFD
BLD10-00312 SUSAN M RIEDL 722 RUNDELL ST
BATH REMODEL FOR SFD
BLD10-00153 ROBERT & AMBER CONNE 2012 SHERMAN DR
BASEMENT FINISH FOR SFD
BLD10-00249 KW CUSTOM HOMES INC 4402 TEMPE PL
BASEMENT FINISH FOR SFD
BLD10-00202 JUDY POLUMBAUM 630 N DODGE ST
DORMERS FOR SFD
BLD10-00342 HAROLD & ASTRID VAN B 26 THISTLE CT
BASEMENT FINISH FOR SFD
BLD10-00294 AAMODT, CHRISTA 1110 DOWNEY DR
2 BASEMENT EGRESS WINDOWS
ALT RSF 1 0 $359,871
ALT RSF 0 0 $25,000
ALT RSF 0 0 $23,550
ALT RSF 0 0 $22,060
ALT RSF 0 0 $20,100
ALT RSF 0 0 $18,350
ALT RSF 0 0 $15,050
ALT RSF 0 0 $15,000
ALT RSF 0 0 $14,625
ALT RSF 0 0 $12,750
ALT RSF 0 0 $12,000
ALT RSF 1 0 $5,350
Page : 4 Clt}y Of IOWA Clty
Date: 7/1/2010 Extraction of Building Permit Data for
To :
From : 6/1/2010
6/30/2010
Census Bureau Report
Permit Number Name Address
BLD10-00324 DRAGONFLY PROPERTIES 411 S LUCAS ST
CONVERT TRI-PLEX TO SFD
BLD10-00346 KELLI JO MOHN 1541 TERRAPIN DR
BASEMENT FINISH FOR SFD
BLD10-00317 JAMES HICKS 921 DEWEY ST
BASEMENT FINISH FOR SFD
Tune Type
Imnr Use Stories Units Valuation
ALT RSF 2 0 $4,500
ALT RSF 2 0 $4,500
ALT RSF 2 0 $3,500
Total ALT/RSF permits : 15 Total Valuation : $556,206'
BLD10-00057 CITY OF IOWA CITY 2401 S SCOTT BLVD NEW NON 1 0 $2,514,000
ADDITIONS AND NEW BUILDING FOR RECYCLING FACILITY
BLD09-00665 CITY OF IOWA CITY 2008 N DUBUQUE RD NEW NON 2 0 $2,400,000
NEW FIRE STATION
BLD10-00058 CITY OF IOWA CITY 2461 S SCOTT BLVD NEW NON 1 0 $1,433,000
EDUCATIONAL CENTER FOR RECYCLING FACILITY
Total NEW/NON permits : 3 Total Valuation : $6,347,000
BLD10-00307 KEVIN D & MARY E HOCHS' 1048 WILD PRAIRIE DR
IN GROUND POOL ADDITION FOR SFD
NEW OTH 0 0 $40,000
Total NEW/OTH permits : 1 Total Valuation : $40,000'
BLD10-00330 DENNIS J KIRKWOOD 1143 MAPLE ST
DETACHED GARAGE ADDITION FOR SFD
BLD10-00284 JEFFRY SCHABILION 431 RUNDELL ST
STONE FENCE AND 2 ACCESSORY STRUCTURES
BLD10-00358 KATHLEEN A BRAVERMAN 1635 MORNINGSIDE DR
PERGOLA ADDITION FOR SFD
NEW RAC 1 0 $48,000
NEW RAC 0 0 $20,000
NEW RAC 0 0 $4,750
Total NEW/RAC permits : 3 Total Valuation : $72,750'
BLD10-00085 ALLEN HOMES INC. 431 WESTBURY DR NEW RMF 2 5 $948,048
5 UNIT TOWNHOUSES WITH ATTACHED 2 CAR GARAGES
431-433-435-437-439 Westbury Dr
BLD10-00309 PENINSULA DEVELOPMEN 1533 FOSTER RD NEW RMF 2 4 $606,622
4 UNIT TOWNHOUSE
1533-1541-1549-1557 FOSTER RD. PUBLIC FUNDS
BLD10-00310 PENINSULA DEVELOPMEN 2341 WILLENBROCK CIR NEW RMF 2 3 $432,114
3 UNIT TOWNHOUSE
2341-2349-2357 WILLENBROCK CIRCLE- PUBLIC FUNDS
Total NEW/RMF permits : 3 Total Valuation : $1,986,784
BLD10-00314 SAIF SAMI 1150 MEADOWLARK DR NEW RSF 2 1 $450,695
SFD WITH ATTACHED 3 CAR GARAGE
BLD10-00243 GLEN & NANCY YOWELL 2867 HICKORY TRL NEW RSF 1 1 $380,000
SFD WITH ATTACHED 3 CAR GARAGE
Page : 5 Clty Of IOWA Clty
Date : 7/1/2010 Extraction of Building Permit Data for
To :
From : 6/1/2010
6/30/2010
Census Bureau Report
Tyue Tvne
Permit Number Name Address Impr Use Stories Units Valuation
BLD10-00337 DENNIS SPENCER 61 QUAIL VALLEY CT NEW RSF 1 1 $350,000
SFD WITH ATTACHED 3 CAR GARAGE
BLD10-00277 ARLINGTON DEV INC 3943 BUCKINGHAM LN NEW RSF 2 1 $306,590
SFD WITH ATTACHED 3 CAR GARAGE
BLD10-00206 KEITH OR LINDA FARMER 3747 LOWER WEST BRAN( NEW RSF 1 1 $280,808
SFD WITH ATTACHED 3 CAR GARAGE
BLD10-00308 PRIME VENTURES CONSTRI 3968 BUCKINGHAM LN NEW RSF 1 1 $263,454
SFD WITH ATTACHED 3 CAR GARAGE
BLD10-00311 PENINSULA DEVELOPMEN 829 WALKER CIR NEW RSF 2 1 $250,078
SFD WITH ATTACHED 2 CAR GARAGE
BLD10-00285 TERRY & LINDA BOWTON 5 HICKORY HEIGHTS LN NEW RSF 1 1 $250,000
SFD WITH ATTACHED 2 CAR GARAGE
BLD10-00304 RYAN SPRATT 4476 TEMPS PL NEW RSF 1 1 $242,921
SFD WITH ATTACHED 2 CAR GARAGE
BLD10-00293 B & H BUILDERS 1813 CHELSEA CT NEW RSF 1 1 $192,639
SFD WITH ATTACHED 2 CAR GARAGE
BLD10-00319 DAV-ED LTD 640 GALWAY DR NEW RSF 0 1 $187,172
SFD WITH ATTACHED 3 CAR GARAGE
BASEMENT FAMILY ROOM/BATH
BLD10-00299 TOWNS & COUNTRY MAN 1920 SHERMAN DR NEW RSF 1 1 $175,135
SFD WITH ATTACHED 2 CAR GARAGE
PUBLIC FUNDS with basement bedroom
BLD10-00300 TOWNS & COUNTRY MAN 1930 SHERMAN DR NEW RSF 1 1 $175,135
SFD WITH ATTACHED 2 CAR GARAGE
PUBLIC FUNDS with basement bedroom
BLD10-00301 TOWNS & COUNTRY MAN 1940 SHERMAN DR NEW RSF 1 1 $175,135
SFD WITH ATTACHED 2 CAR GARAGE
PUBLIC FUNDS with basement bedroom
BLD10-00302 TOWNS & COUNTRY MAN 1950 SHERMAN DR NEW RSF 1 1 $175,135
SFD WITH ATTACHED 2 CAR GARAGE
PUBLIC FUNDS with basement bedroom
BLD10-00291 B & H BUILDERS 1826 CHELSEA CT NEW RSF 2 1 $165,650
ZERO LOT LINE SFD WITH ATTACHED 2 CAR GARAGE
BLD10-00292 B & H BUILDERS 1830 CHELSEA CT NEW RSF 2 1 $165,650
ZERO LOT LINE SFD WITH ATTACHED 2 CAR GARAGE
BLD10-00298 IOWA VALLEY HABITAT FC 2512 ASTER AVE NEW RSF 1 1 $141,866
SFD WITH ATTACHED 1 CAR GARAGE
PUBLIC FUNDS
Total NEW/RSF permits : 18 Total Valuation : $4,328,063
BLD10-00135 CITY HIGH SCHOOL 1900 MORNINGSIDE DR REP NON 0 0 $883,200
WINDOW REPLACEMENT PHASE 3 FOR CITY HIGH SCHOOL
BLD10-00320 IOWA CITY CMNTY SCH DI 521 N DODGE ST REP NON 3 0 $162,860
REROOFSCHOOL
BLD10-00296 GASBY'S 2303 MUSCATINE AVE REP NON 0 0 $5,400
DRIVE THROUGH REPAIR
Total REP/NON permits : 3 Total Valuation : $1,051,460
Page : 6 City of Iowa City
Date: 7/1/2010 Extraction of Building Permit Data for
To : 6/ 1 /2010
From : 6/30/2010 Census Bureau Report
Permit Number Name Address
BLD10-00360 JANIS HAUENSTEIN 1315 KIRKWOOD AVE
RESHEATH/REROOF DETACHED GARAGE FOR SFD
FRAME GARAGE DOOR
Total REP/RAC permits : 1
Tune Type
Impr Use Stories Units
REP RAC 0 0
Total Valuation
Valuation
$2,000
$2,000
BLD10-00274 BRYAN DIXON 710 KIRKWOOD AVE REP RDF 0 0 $3,000
WINDOW REPLACEMENT FOR DUPLEX
BLD10-00367 BERRY, DANIEL L 1327 DOLEN PL REP RDF 0 0 $200
REPAIR ENTRY STOOP FOR RDF UNIT
Total REP/RDF permits : 2 Total Valuation : $3,200
BLD07-00609 KEYSTONE PROP MANGEM 622 -28 ORCHARD CT REP RMF 2 0 $15,000
SIDING AND WINDOWS FOR RMF
BLD10-00303 TRIPLE CROWN CONDO AS 2614 TRIPLE CROWN LN REP RMF 3 0 $3,200
REPLACE BRICK VENEER WITH VINYL SIDING
Total REP/RMF permits : 2 Total Valuation : $18,200
BLD10-00334 SARAH FAY MCCARTHY 717 E DAVENPORT ST REP RSF 0 0 $17,000
FOUNDATION REPAIR FOR SFD
BLD10-00361 SUE BURGER 213 WOODRIDGE AVE REP RSF 0 0 $9,463
WINDOWS FOR RSF
BLD10-00297 LINDA LOVIK 1602 MUSCATINE AVE REP RSF 0 0 $8,900
INSTALL WALL ANCHORS FOR FOUNDATION REPAIR
BLD10-00289 ACKERSON, KAY A 617 BROWN ST REP RSF 0 0 $3,800
REPLACE CONCRETE STEPS NORTH PORCH ENTRANCE FOR SFD
BLD10-00362 JENNY SEFER 918 N DODGE ST REP RSF 0 0 $3,694
WINDOW REPLACEMENT FOR SFD
BLD07-00701 MARK & CAROL MARTIN 1150 SUNSET ST REP RSF 0 0 $2,500
REPLACE BEDROOM WINDOW
BLD10-00332 NATHAN S EPLEY 811 CHURCH ST REP RSF 0 0 $2,500
PORCH REPAIR FOR SFD
BLD10-00363 SETH WENGER 2110 TANGLEWOOD ST REP RSF 0 0 $2,200
WINDOWS AND DOORS FOR SFD
BLD10-00335 JANICE M PROCHASKA 125 POTOMAC DR REP RSF 0 0 $2,100
3 EGRESS WINDOWS FOR SFD
BLD10-00343 FEDERAL HOME LOAN 1522 SPRUCE ST REP RSF 0 0 $2,000
FOUNDATION REPAIR FOR SFD
BLD10-00325 IOWA CITY HOUSING FEL 2510 FRIENDSHIP ST REP RSF 1 0 $1,800
EGRESS WINDOWS FOR SFD
BLD07-00303 PAUL ANDERSON 1125 E BURLINGTON ST REP RSF 0 0 $1,429
CONVERT OPEN FRONT PORCH TO SCREEN PORCH
BLD10-00357 NANCY & MICHAEL BELL 1813 G ST REP RSF 0 0 $700
BEDROOM WINDOW
Page : 7 Clty Of Iowa Clty
Date : 7/1/2010 Extraction of Building Permit Data for
To :
From : 6/ 1 /2010
6/30/2010
Census Bureau Report
Tvne Twe
Permit Number Name Address Imnr Use Stories Units Valuation
Total REP/RSF permits : 13 Total Valuation : $58,086
GRAND TOTALS : PERMITS : 88 VALUATION : $15,057,920
IP9
MINUTES PRELIMINARY
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
JUNE 17, 2010 - 7:00 PM -FORMAL
CITY HALL, EMMA J. HARVAT HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Charlie Eastham, Ann Freerks, Elizabeth Koppes,
Michelle Payne, Wally Plahutnik, Tim Weitzel
MEMBERS ABSENT: Josh Busard
STAFF PRESENT: Bob Miklo, Sara Greenwood Hektoen, Julie Tallman
OTHERS PRESENT: None
RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY COUNCIL:
None.
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Ann Freerks at 7:00 p.m.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA:
None.
CODE AMENDMENT ITEM:
Discussion of amendments to Title 14: Zoning Code, Article J. Floodplain Management
Standards to regulate the 100 and 500 year floodplain.
Miklo noted that there were several questions that had come up at the informal meeting, and
that staff would try to answer most of them; he said that some would need to be followed-up on
in the next discussion session. Miklo said that staff does not anticipate that the Commission will
vote on this matter at this evening's meeting. He said the purpose of this meeting is to take
public comments and get some reaction to the proposed amendment.
Tallman stated that many comments and suggestions made by Commissioners at the informal
meeting have been incorporated into the ordinance. In particular, language with varied
references to different types of floods and flood levels has been adjusted. She said she had
spoken with the Airport Manager about his concerns regarding the shallow nature of Willow
Creek's flood patterns. Staff noted that there is no definition for "addition" in the guidance
provided by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). She said that one of the most
important things that staff uncovered after the work session was that she had been operating
under the fundamental assumption that lateral additions need not be elevated. She said that this
needs to be taken back for staff discussion, because several staff members feel that perhaps
even a lateral addition should require the structure to be elevated or flood-proofed to the level
required by the new ordinance. She said that staff needed to sort that out. She said she was
going through the last ten years of floodplain permits to get an idea of what kinds of
improvements were being made and when they were taking place. She said she had come
across some that were fairly small, like the addition of a screened in porch, but had been
Planning and Zoning Commission
June 17, 2010 -Formal
Page 2 of 12
considered substantial improvements. She said she wanted to look more closely at those to get
an idea of what some of the impacts might be if a more strict interpretation was applied.
Tallman said she had spoken with Tom Bockenstedt who had concerns about Idyllwild and the
peculiarities of a condominium regime, and the potential impact of new regulations in terms of
building styles and appearances on a development that is already 75% built out. Tallman said
that the condominium issue itself presents challenges to staff in terms of how to approach it with
floodplain regulations.
Tallman asked if any Commissioners had come up with new questions in the time they had had
to think about the issue. Koppes said that she had a question that occurred to her as a result of
the recent flash flooding that had occurred in Iowa City. She asked if the areas that had been
flash flooded were all indicated as flood zones on the most recent flood maps. Tallman said that
she doubted that they were, and that in fact she knew that Sandusky, Boyrum, and Olde Town
Village all experienced flash flooding and were not highlighted on the floodplain maps. She said
that foundations had collapsed all over town, one on Spring Street, one on Davenport Street,
due to the sheer volume of water from the event. She said problems arose all over town that
had nothing to do with whether or not the structure was in a floodplain. Koppes said that it
seemed that none of the new regulations addressed these flash flooding issues, and that it
seemed as though it was appropriate that they should not. Tallman agreed that the regulations
should not address that type of flash flooding event. She said that these ordinances are related
to floodplains for mapped bodies of water.
Freerks noted that it would be helpful to include illustrations in the document. Tallman agreed.
Freerks asked if the floodplain standards had taken into account standards of reimbursement
and damage levels that insurance companies use. She proposed a scenario in which a small
home located in a floodplain was damaged by fire at a 51 % level. She said according to the
regulations the structure would need to be elevated in order to be rebuilt, but that might not be
in line with what the insurance company would be willing to pay for. Freerks said these are
important issues to take into consideration. Tallman said it was important to note that if these
changes were adopted into code, there would be a difference between the City of Iowa City's
administration of floodplain regulations and the insurance necessary. The insurance
requirement is still fixed to the 100-year floodplain, Tallman said; that would not change.
Tallman said that if people do not comply fully with the City's standards, then they do wind up
paying higher insurance premiums. She said that this also can happen simply as a result of
change in ownership. Freerks said she simply wanted staff and the Commission to consider this
issue as discussions continued. Tallman said she would consult a local insurance agent she
knew of who was very well-versed in flood issues. Eastham said his understanding of Freerks'
question was whether a homeowner's insurance would cover the additional cost of elevating a
structure as required by the City's floodplain regulations if the home was damaged in a non-
flood event such as fire or tornado. Tallman said that was a very good question. Freerks said
she did not want to enact regulations that left someone in a situation where they could not live in
their home, could not pay to get the necessary elevation done, and could not get their insurance
to cover those costs because they were in the 500-year floodplain.
Plahutnik acknowledged that some changes needed to made to the City's floodplain ordinance.
Plahutnik said that at some point in the process, the Commissioners had been asked what the
goals were that they had in mind for the changes to the floodplain ordinance. He said that for
him, the primary goal was to inhibit or dis-incentivize building in a floodplain. He said that it is a
simple issue: it is a floodplain, therefore, you should not build there. He said that the worst-case
scenario to this view is that the city winds up with a lot of green space in the middle of the city
along its prettiest feature, which seems like a positive to him. Plahutnik said that if the City is
Planning and Zoning Commission
June 17, 2010 -Formal
Page 3 of 12
trying to dis-incentivize building in a floodplain, or even attempting to reduce the amount of
current housing in a floodplain (as was done with the buy-out program), then pretty Draconian
measures are called for. Plahutnik said that it might help direct discussion if staff could simply
tell the Commission what their goals were when they began drafting the ordinance changes.
Tallman said that this discussion occurred briefly after the 1993 flood event, but did not last very
long. After the 2008 floods, when the State was considering much different floodplain
regulations, staff began discussing this issue again. She said that staff was updated regularly on
the language that was being proposed at the state level, and many of those ideas and
recommendations are incorporated into the document before the Commission. Tallman said that
at the state level they were told over and over again by a gentleman on the Water Resources
Bureau of the IDNR that he had been entrusted with this effort because the State cannot afford
to bail communities out anymore. She said that this is a pretty pragmatic and compelling reason
for change. Tallman said that the idea of living in a community that could not help people the
way Iowa City had been able to help people who lived on Normandy Drive is a pretty terrifying
one. She said that there are countless real life stories from the floods of retired individuals of
modest means who had only their homes as assets, and now cannot live in them or repair them.
She said that predictive models can, to an extent, help communities try to avoid those situations
in the future.
Payne asked if Tallman would agree with Plahutnik that the idea behind the proposed
amendment should be to discourage or de-incentivize building in a floodplain. Tallman said she
believed the language addressed eliminating and reducing unnecessary risks. Freerks referred
to 14-5-J-1, saying that it contained language outlining the purpose of the ordinance. Miklo said
that as the ordinance is written the main goal is to ensure that buildings built in floodplains are
elevated or flood-proofed. Miklo said the cost of elevating buildings may discourage
development, but the ordinance itself does not prohibit building in the floodplain, except in the
instance of critical facilities, Greenwood Hektoen said that one way of thinking of the ordinance
was as encouraging more responsible development in the floodplain. Tallman said that Idyllwild
is a really good example of a development where someone was readily aware that the property
was in a floodplain and all the risks that were associated with that, but chose nonetheless to
develop the property and actively worked to have the floodplain designation removed. Tallman
said the perception of risk decreases over time. She said that property owners who knowingly
accept and prepare for the risks of living in a floodplain, such as those who built their homes
eight feet above the ground, should not be deprived of their right to live along the river. It is
those homebuyers and residents who are not aware of the risks who should be protected. Miklo
said the improvement that occurs with this ordinance is that building elevation would have to be
to the 500-year flood level, rather than the 100-year level, which would have made the Idyllwild
situation much better in the 2008 floods.
Payne said that it appears to her that all of the homes that were bought-out on Normandy Drive
were in the 100-year flood level. However, that entire area is in the 500-year flood level. She
asked if enacting this ordinance meant that the City would wind up buying the rest of the homes
in that area if another flood like the 2008 flood occurred. Miklo said he believed the City is
currently buying out some houses in the 500-year floodplain on Normandy. Miklo noted that the
City is not required to buy homeowners out, and this ordinance would not change that. Payne
said she had not thought the City was required to buy-out flooded homeowners; however, the
City is buying them out nonetheless. Greenwood Hektoen said that any buy-out is contingent on
what funding source and its requirements. Payne asked if it was typical for those kinds of grants
to include the 500-year floodplain. Tallman said the CDBG grants included the 500-year
floodplain. Miklo said that he did not believe that FEMA grants included the 500-year floodplain;
he said it was the state that brought in extra funding for the 500-year level. Tallman said FEMA
will only buy structures in the 100-year floodplain. She said that had became another interesting
Planning and Zoning Commission
June 17, 2010 -Formal
Page 4 of 12
tale after the flood. She said that there were many homes that had been certified as being
elevated out of the floodplain that had been found by the Public Works Department after the
floods to be eligible for the buyout because of an area of compression around their foundations.
Tallman said the system is a kind of artificial one; when an inch of land can make all the
difference on whether or not a flooded homeowner can be bought out or not, that is a great
difference made in a life by a very small difference in measurement. However, she said, that is
the best system available at this time.
Payne said that it seems to her that people want to do exactly the minimum of what they need to
do in order to be certified as not being in a floodplain; they want to get out of the expense of
paying for flood insurance so they look for ways to get out of being certified as being in a
floodplain. Payne said that the little bit of money such homeowners would have paid in flood
insurance would have meant a whole lot in 2008.
Eastham said that as he understands the National Flood Insurance Program, a homeowner is
only required to purchase flood insurance if they have a mortgage loan with a federally insured
lender. Eastham said that homeowners who are not required to purchase flood insurance by
federal regulation still have the option to purchase it at their discretion.
Miklo said that he did not see how regulating the 500-year floodplain would necessarily result in
the City buying out more homes in a similar flood event. Weitzel said that in some ways the
opposite could be true: if the focus is on flood prevention measures, there may be fewer homes
to buy out. Payne said her concern had been about homes in existence prior to the ordinance
taking effect. Weitzel said that the ordinance said nothing about the City buying out flooded
property owners. Payne said she understood that, but that it was more of a perception issue.
Koppes said that there are so many rules regarding varying buy-outs that it is impossible to
debate them in advance. Koppes said her brother had lost his home to the 2008 flood in Cedar
Rapids. She said that Cedar Rapids had actually already torn his home down, and he still had
no buy-out agreement, so the issue is very complex.
Plahutnik said he agreed with the sentiment expressed by Tallman when she said that those
homeowners who were aware of the risks, had sought to remedy them, and were willing to take
them on, should not be prohibited from living in a floodplain. Miklo noted that there is still an
issue of public expense in those cases. He said that because there could be public efforts in
trying to sandbag or otherwise protect those properties, as well as clean-up expenses after the
flood event, the risk and the effect is not taken solely by the homeowners; the larger community
is affected.
Eastham said he is inclined to argue that new residential structures should not be established in
100 and 500-year floodplains. He said that while he understands an individual's desire to live
wherever that individual wants, there is a lot of public money that has gone into repairing private
homes since the floods of 2008. Eastham said the City does a lot of regulation that prevents
people from exercising their freedom of choice. He said he did not have any particular problem
with regulating this freedom of choice. He said there is a lot of land available to build on in Iowa
City. Freerks noted that Commissioners are not necessarily supposed to be making up their
minds at this point; rather, this is more of a question and answer period. Eastham said that the
question he has for staff is whether it would be possible to construct an ordinance that would not
allow new residential construction along the Iowa River Corridor for elevations below the 500-
year floodplain. Miklo said that would be something that staff would have to research. They
would have to closely examine what the other implications of such an ordinance would be. Miklo
said that if there is a majority of the Commission that would like to study that then staff could
certainly take some more time to do so. Freerks said it could be discussed further when the
Planning and Zoning Commission
June 17, 2010 -Formal
Page 5 of 12
public hearing was opened. Koppes asked why commercial construction would be allowed if
residential was prohibited. Eastham said that he would be willing to examine that as well.
Weitzel said that the accuracy of flood maps has been called into question since the 2008 flood.
He asked how confident staff was that the maps being used are the best available maps.
Tallman said that in her own experience the maps are good predictors and important tools to
use; however, properties at the edges of floodplains are always somewhat questionable. She
said that often it comes down to the results of a ground survey, and she agreed with Payne's
comments that sometimes all people want to know is how to get out of the mandatory flood
insurance requirement. Tallman said that one of the ways to get around the flood insurance
requirement is to hire a surveyor to find the lowest grade, shoot it, send it in, and say this is
higher than the flood elevation. Weitzel noted that this does provide some sort of alternative to
the map. Tallman said that it does, but that it has caused a lot of heartache. Tallman said she
thinks the maps are okay, and that they are going to get better. She said that when the maps
are not correct, proving that they are not correct is a real headache and takes time, though it
can be done. Weitzel asked if it was the property owner who would have to pay for the survey.
Tallman said that it generally is the property owner. In instances where a broad swath of land
has been inappropriately identified as being in a floodplain, the City will do all that it can to
resolve the issue with FEMA.
Eastham asked if staff had considered using the Iowa Flood Center's elevations for the 500-
year or 100-year flood event. Tallman said they could if they were made available to them. She
said that the Iowa Flood Center is using something called LIDAR mapping, which is a joint effort
from IDNR and USGS for more accurate mapping across the state. Taking that mapping and
providing it to FEMA to get new flood maps is a long process that could take a couple of years.
Tallman said that the data can be used locally, but the City cannot change FEMA maps.
Eastham asked Tallman how non-FEMA maps could be used locally. She replied that the City
could use whatever map was most accurate in the administration of building code to make a
determination of whether a structure (not a lot, but a structure) is in the floodplain. Eastham
asked if it was the case that the City could decide not to issue a building permit based upon
data derived from non-FEMA maps. Miklo said that building permits are not denied based on
floodplain information; rather, building permits are issued only if the building is elevated to the
required level. Miklo said that he did not believe this ordinance was capable of prohibiting a
building permit unless the structure was in the floodway. Greenwood Hektoen said that the map
referred to in the ordinance is the Johnson County, Iowa Incorporated Areas Flood Insurance
Rate Map. She said that is the map that is referred to when applying and interpreting this code
section. Tallman said that this map is not new.
Freerks asked why the date referred to in the ordinance was changed from June 5, 1985, to
May 2, 1977. Tallman said that Iowa City's first floodplain management map and study was
done in May 1977. She said that was the date chosen as the baseline date for this ordinance.
Freerks noted that there were likely better maps that had been created since that time, and
asked why the decision was made to go back to that date. Tallman said that was when flood
insurance was first made available to people in Iowa City, and when the City first began
participating in the flood insurance program. Miklo clarified that the 1977 map is not the map
used presently. Eastham asked if there were adequate records to determine what the floor area
of each structure that was regulated by this ordinance actually was in 1977. Tallman said she
relies to a large degree on the Assessor's records.
Payne asked how many other towns and cities were going to the .2% versus the 1 %. Tallman
said that she only knew of one in Iowa, and that is Cedar Falls. Payne asked if Cedar Falls had
adopted their new code already, and Tallman said that they had. Freerks said it might be
interesting to see how Cedar Falls is dealing with damage to structures in a floodplain from
Planning and Zoning Commission
June 17, 2010 -Formal
Page 6 of 12
tornado/fire. Freerks referenced her earlier question regarding insurance in those cases, saying
that she really is concerned about people left in a situation where they are simply trying to
reclaim the property they already had, not trying to expand it, just trying to rebuild what they
had. She said it seems completely unfair to leave someone in a position where they are
required to elevate their home because of tornado/fire damage but cannot because insurance
will not pay the additional costs. Miklo said that the City will have no way of knowing the
specifics of whether insurance will actually cover the costs to rebuild to current code standards
because it will vary from policy to policy. Miklo asked if Freerks was looking for some sort of
hardship exemption for properties destroyed by factors other than flooding. Freerks said that
would be an idea for discussion. Koppes noted that the same kind of situation, one in which a
property owner was left unable to rebuild as a result of insurance and code factors, could arise
as a result of a flood. Freerks replied that a flood is an insured peril, whereas the situation she is
speaking of is a secondary issue that could prevent a homeowner from rebuilding. Payne noted
that it is quite possible to have someone in the 500-year floodplain who is flooded and forced to
rebuild to the 500-year standard by city code, but is told by their insurance company that they
will only pay to rebuild up to the 100-year flood level. Freerks said that damage caused by a
different calamity was somewhat different for her. Plahutnik said that if a person has an existing
home, it is possible that the plumbing or the electrical are not up to current code. tf there is
some sort of calamity in which a homeowner is forced to rebuild, the plumbing and electrical
cannot be rebuilt to old standards, they must be brought up to present code standards. He said
it is the same with the provisions of this flood ordinance. He said that it is unfortunate that the
initial rebuilding expense might be higher as a result, but that in the long run, the person with the
updated electrical system will be less likely to awaken with their house on fire at night and the
person with the home rebuilt so that it is elevated out of the floodplain is less likely to awaken
with water in their living room. Freerks said that might be the case, but that updated electrical
and plumbing would be covered by insurance whereas the elevation of a home destroyed by fire
or tornado might not be. Plahutnik said that the lower price paid for a home in a floodplain may
offset those costs. Freerks said she understood where Plahutnik was going but she felt pretty
strongly that she wanted research into this issue before she can be comfortable with it. Eastham
said that he agreed with Freerks that this was an important issue to consider. Tallman said that
it is an important issue. She said that there is a rider on flood insurance that helps with the costs
of elevation, but there are conditions. Tallman asked if all Commissioners would like a copy of
Cedar Falls ordinance as it applies to non-conforming structures.
Freerks opened public hearing on the matter.
No public was present and the public hearing was closed.
Freerks invited a motion.
Weitrel motioned to defer discussion of an amendment to the code dealing with
floodplain management standards until the next meeting.
Koppes seconded. .
Miklo suggested deferring the matter until the July 15th meeting.
Weitrel amended the motion to defer until the July 15th meeting.
Koppes seconded.
Eastham asked how the Commission should handle looking into whether or not there was a
majority on the Commission that was interested in looking into prohibition on building in the
Planning and Zoning Commission
June 17, 2010 -Formal
Page 7 of 12
floodplain. Freerks invited Eastham to describe what it was he was interested in. Eastham said
that he would like staff to investigate an ordinance that prohibits development in the .2% flood
areas, and eliminates residential housing along the Iowa River. He said he would be supportive
of investigating the elimination of commercial development in those areas as well if the other
Commissioners were interested in doing so. Miklo noted that in the creek floodplains there is not
a lot of undeveloped land that the City does not already own. He noted this was also the case
along the Iowa River. Miklo said staff could look at applying it universally to all floodplains as
well as seeing if it was possible to break it down to just the Iowa River floodplains. Miklo said
that if staff was going to look at it then it should probably be examined from both angles. Koppes
said her question is how the City would deal with private land-holders in those areas. She asked
if Eastham was thinking the City would compensate those landowners for their inability to
develop their property. Eastham said it would be helpful to know to what extent a no-
development ordinance would actually affect people before making that decision. He noted that
landowners do not necessarily have an unqualified right to realize their idea of the full potential
of their investment. Eastham said that in his experience, landowners wishing to develop in a
floodplain quickly transfer their risk to subsequent owners who may not fully comprehend the
risks associated with the property. Eastham said the end-result of those situations is that there
is a substantial expenditure of public funds. Plahutnik asked if people can build on a substantial,
protected slope that ends in a ravine. He said that, to him, it was a similar issue. Freerks said
she thought it was a little different. Weitzel said that there were health and safety issues in both
instances. Plahutnik said that he believed muddy water coming into a home was certainly a
health and safety issue. He said he is perhaps even more persuaded by the benefit afforded the
wider community from the green space along the riverfront that would aesthetically improve the
area as well as allow for the conveyance of flood flows from the area. He said it is perfectly
logical. He said it seems crazy to him to take those spaces out of the floodplain by raising them
and covering them with impervious surfaces. Koppes noted that the City could do the same
thing by putting a park on the property and building a parking lot for it. Plahutnik acknowledged
this could be the case but said he hoped that wiser heads would prevail. Plahutnik said he
would like to see what staff was able to come up with for such an ordinance. He said that in
terms of residential development in the floodplain the question is always not if it will flood but
when it will flood.
Freerks asked if there were four or more Commissioners who would like to look into the
possibility of prohibiting development in the .2% flood event area along the Iowa River and/or
the creek floodplains within the city limits. Plahutnik noted that the vote was simply to look into
the matter, not to support the proposal. Weitzel said he would like to look into it further. Freerks
noted that meant Eastham, Weitzel and Plahutnik were interested in exploring the issue, and
asked if there was anyone else wanting to do so at this time. Koppes said she had some
questions. Koppes asked how much time the Commission was asking staff to spend on such an
ordinance because it could be very time consuming. Greenwood Hektoen said she certainly had
concerns about an all out prohibition and she believed it would take some substantial research.
Freerks said she would rather move forward with the amendment process and then at a later
time, and in a much more publicized fashion, look into more prohibitive ordinances if the
majority of the Commission wished to proceed in that direction. She said that it is a serious
enough and large enough issue that it would need a lot more public input then what had been
put forth in this meeting. She said that to her it seemed wrong to go forward with it without more
public input.
Weitzel noted that it was not being voted on in the present meeting. Freerks said she
understood that but to even direct staff to devote that level of time and attention to the matter
without public input was not the right thing to do. Koppes said she was very concerned about
the time commitment it would require from staff. She said she would rather continue with the
present process and put the overarching matter of prohibitions on a work calendar. Eastham
Planning and Zoning Commission
June 17, 2010 -Formal
Page 8 of 12
said that if City Council were to adopt the proposed ordinance then it would be all the more
difficult to go back and prohibit development where development has already been allowed.
Payne said that it would not be any different than what Eastham is asking for now; development
is already allowed in those areas so any prohibition at any time would be a prohibition of
something that is currently allowed. Freerks noted that proceeding with the present ordinance
would at least allow for some restrictions in the meantime, until such time when a prohibition
could be examined. Payne said that the present ordinance could be viewed as a stepping stone
if the Commission decided to move in a more restrictive direction. Tallman asked if it would be
reasonable to look at prohibitions of subdivisions in the .2%, 500-year flood zone rather than at
single-lot residential construction. Freerks said that it seems like a work session in and of itself
to figure out what the Commission would be interested in studying in terms of prohibitions. She
said Eastham seemed comfortable with blanket prohibitions on development of any kind, but
there may be varying degrees of comfort with other Commissioners.
Plahutnik said he would not push any harder than this, but that Commissioners must put
themselves back in 2008 and 1993 when they were staring at a sea of water and asking
themselves how the City could have let this happen. At some point in the future, Plahutnik said,
the issue is going to have to be examined if it is not examined now. Payne said that building in
the floodplain was not the sole cause of the floods; she said that the runoff created from building
everywhere greatly contributed to the flooding. Plahutnik said that might be the case, but those
in the floodplain suffer the consequences. Payne said that everyone has choices; no one is
required to live in the floodplain; some people choose to live there. Freerks said that there are
safer, better ways to build in those areas. Payne said the ordinance before the Commission
presently is intended to do just that. Freerks said she does not have a defined opinion one way
or the other, but she just does not feel comfortable moving forward with something like this
when there are no members of the public in the audience. Weitzel said he is disappointed
because he would merely like to discuss the merits of such an ordinance, which is something
different than voting for or against it.
Greenwood Hektoen asked if Tallman could get information on how many homes would have
been flooded that were one-foot above the 500-year or .2%floodplain. Tallman said she thought
they could look at the maps that are now available and gather that information. Greenwood
Hektoen said she was wondering if there was a way to determine how properties would have
been affected if they had been built to the standards of the ordinance before the Commission.
Freerks said that would be good information to have to start the Commission thinking about
these things.
Koppes said she would also like to know how much private land would be affected by such an
ordinance. Miklo said that within the existing city limits, most of the floodplain is already
developed. He said there are portions of the floodplain that the City has acquired as parkland
through the subdivision process or by purchasing it. Miklo said that it would be future areas of
the city, areas in the flood plain that are annexed in, that would be in private hands. Koppes said
that when such areas are annexed they could be designated as no-build areas as a part of the
annexation agreement. Koppes said that she would hope the City did that when annexing land
that could be in the floodplain. Eastham said that his thinking was that a floodplain ordinance
that would prohibit residential development for areas within the 500-year elevation would have
the same effect. Koppes said there is a difference between annexing in land with building
prohibitions and taking developable land and making it un-developable. Eastham said he had a
difficult time seeing that distinction.
Eastham said he seconded Plahutnik's sentiments. He said he feels allowing further
development in floodplains at this point is tantamount to having been on the Commission at the
time Idyllwild or Parkview Terrace was approved and allowing that to go forward. Payne said
Planning and Zoning Commission
June 17, 2010 -Formal
Page 9 of 12
that filling will allow a property owner to "get out of a floodplain by elevating a property;
however, it exacerbates flooding because the water must go someplace else. She said that
prohibitions on building in the floodplain would still allow property owners to fill to a level where
they are not in the floodplain anymore and so would really accomplish nothing in terms of flood
mitigation. Plahutnik said that was a great point, and that he had not considered the affects of
that. Plahutnik said his concept was that there would not be a disturbance of the floodplain for
building or filling, so he had not considered the scenario Payne put forth. Payne said her
understanding is that Idyllwild was filled and filled until it was "no longer" in the floodplain, and
that was what allowed it to be built. Eastham said it was Parkview Terrace she was thinking of.
Miklo said that Idyllwild is in the 500-year floodplain. Freerks noted that the ordinance as written
is requiring building to the 500-year flood level. Miklo said that the ordinance as written does
allow exactly the scenario that Payne had described. Freerks noted that whatever happens
along the river in other communities also is meaningful to the discussion. Eastham said that as
he understands it the Iowa Flood Center's studies will provide useful models regarding exactly
that. He said that to him the inaccurate variable to deal with is the inability to know the level of
rainfall. Weitzel pointed out that there will always be some unknown factors.
Freerks said the discussion had been a good one but that her feeling is that there should be
more discussion on this in a future work session. Miklo asked if staff was being directed to do
some research to bring back to a future work session. Freerks said that to her thinking the work
session would not necessarily be about prohibiting development, but would be a broader
conversation that included a study of what other communities do, up-to and including prohibiting
development. Koppes asked if that meant the broader conversation would not take place until
the ordinance before them was off the table. Freerks said that was her thinking. She noted that
if there were four or more Commissioners who wished to move forward in a study of a
prohibitive ordinance that is what the Commission would do. She said it was probably time to
determine if that was the case, however. Plahutnik said that this had been a great discussion,
and he expressed appreciation for that.
Freerks asked if there were four people who would like to investigate the more prohibitive
ordinance. Weitzel, Plahutnik and Eastham indicated they wished to see further study. Freerks
noted that just because there were not four members interested at this time, that did not mean
the subject could not be brought up again in the future. Greenwood Hektoen noted that
information Tallman would be bringing to the Commission regarding the number of properties
that would have been affected if the ordinance had been in place, may be useful to
Commissioners in this discussion at the next meeting.
A vote was taken and the motion to defer carried 6-0 (Busard absent).
Planning and Zoning Commission
June 17, 2010 -Formal
Page 10 of 12
CONSIDERATION OF MEETING MINUTES• Mav 17 2010 (informal) and Mav 20, 2010
formal
Weitzel pointed out that he was present for the May17th meeting.
Payne motioned to approve the minutes with that change.
Koppes seconded.
The minutes were approved 6-0 (Busard absent).
OTHER:
Update of Riverfront Crossings
Miklo explained that the planning and workshops for this project were funded by the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), FEMA, and the Rebuild Iowa Office. One of the
reasons Iowa City was eligible for this funding was because of the 2008 flooding. The idea was
to look at development, floodplains, and smart growth issues and develop an idea of how a
better job can be done developing in sensitive areas along the river. Miklo shared photographs
illustrating how severe the damage was to private and public facilities in that area.
Miklo said that as a part of the planning process environmental, market, transportation and
urban design issues were focused on for that area of town. Miklo said that plans to remove the
wastewater treatment plant in that area may serve as a catalyst for redevelopment of that area.
Miklo explained that development visions for key intersections in the Riverfront Crossings area
were designed during this process. Miklo shared sample concept illustrations and schematic
drawings. The plans called for an urban park in the area where the wastewater treatment plant
currently is located. Flooding in that area would then have minimal impact.
Miklo said that in addition to the design illustrations, there are three written reports that go into
detail about other aspects of the planning process. Miklo said that staff could share those
reports with Commissioners if they so desired.
Miklo said that the EPA has provided some funding to provide a second round of planning, with
more detail for the area around the wastewater treatment plant. The EPA will hire a nationally
known consulting firm to come in and flesh the plans out and take it to the next level. Miklo said
the hope is that the resulting plans would provide some guidance both for public and private
development in the area. Miklo said that staff would keep the Commissioners posted as the
process unfolded.
Freerks asked if there was any update for the northern portion of Riverfront Crossings, such as
the Hieronymus Square area. Freerks asked if Hieronymus Square would need to come back
before the Commission if substantial changes were made to their building plans. Miklo said he
believed they would. Freerks said that according to the newspaper the University of Iowa was
going to purchase part of the development. Eastham said that presented an interesting
question, since the University was not subject to city zoning regulations and the Hieronymus
Square project was. Miklo said the Old Capitol Mall is an example of that kind of arrangement.
The second floor is owned by the University and the first floor is largely privately held; its zoning
is Public/Commercial. Greenwood Hektoen said there are many layers and complexities being
considered for that project right now.
Planning and Zoning Commission
June 17, 2010 -Formal
Page 11 of 12
Eastham said he recalled that property owners in the southern portion of the Riverfront
Crossings area had been interested in having some sort of certainty regarding what would be
eligible to be built there. He asked when that point might arrive. Miklo said that they are
envisioning a very flexible district. He said that most commercial zones require ground floor
commercial and allow residential above that. Miklo said what they envision for an Urban Mixed
Use Zone is to require the ground floor to be built to commercial standards, but to allow
residential uses in it if the market for commercial was not there. He said there are many details
to be worked out such as parking requirements, green space, etc.
Miklo said it will probably be several more weeks before the consultant is heard from, but that
the process will be a public one with the Commission and City Council involved.
Freerks stated that she would not be present for the July 1St meeting. Payne said she also would
not be present for the July 1St meeting. Koppes said she would not be present at the June 28tH
meeting but was supposed to have a return flight on June 30tH, so should be present for the July
1St meeting. Plahutnik said he would not be present on June 28tH. Miklo said that staff would be
doing a quorum check prior to scheduling those meetings.
Payne said that she had a comment from the City Council meeting she had recently attended.
She said that a Council member had noted that the conditional zoning agreement for the new
car dealership on Mormon Trek would be applicable to any property owner for that particular lot,
even if the property was sold to a business that was a different use. She said it was good to
know that Council considered that zoning applies beyond a particular plan or proposal and
remains applicable to the lot regardless of who possesses it.
Koppes commented that she had gone to the dedication of the Wetherby Splash Pad and had
spoken with Steve Long there regarding flood recovery projects. She said they had discussed
that it would be helpful to have him come before the Commission to give a general flood update
regarding the different recovery projects that had come through his office.
ADJOURNMENT:
Koppes motioned to adjourn.
Plahutnik seconded.
The meeting was adjourned on a 6-0 vote (Busard absent).
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IP10
Airport Commission
July 1, 2010
MINUTES
IOWA CITY AIRPORT COMMISSION
July 1, 2010 - 6:00 P.M.
AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING
PRELIMINARY
Members Present: Howard Horan, Minnetta Gardinier, Greg Farris, Steve Crane, Jose
Assouline
Members Absent:
Staff Present: Sue Dulek, Michael Tharp
Others Present:
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL• (to become effective only after separate Council
action): None
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Horan called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION:
FAA/IDOT Projects - AECOM -David Hughes
a. Runway 7/25 & 12/30
1. Consider a resolution accepting improvements to Runway 7-25
and Runway 12-30 -- Tharp noted that this was deferred from
the June meeting and that they had not been able to coordinate
the necessary work with the contractor. Tharp noted that this
would be deferred until the July regular meeting.
b. 2010 Pavement Rehab
1. Consider a resolution setting a public hearing on for the plans,
specifications, form of contract, and estimate on cost for the
construction of FY2010 Pavement Rehabilitation project, and
directing city clerk to publish notices of said hearing, and
directing the chairperson to place said plans on file for public
inspection -- Farris moved the resolution seconded by Crane
Tharp noted that he had received the plans and specifications.
Gardinier asked if this project would be completed this calendar
yet to which Tharp responded it would. Horan called the
question. Motion carried 5-0
ADJOURN: Meeting Adjourned at 6:03pm
CHAIRPERSON
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07-OS-10
IP11
MINUTES
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION PRELIMINARY
JUNE 30, 2010 - 6:30 PM
EMMA HARVAT HALL, CITY HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Andrew Chappell, Andy Douglas, Jarrod Gatlin, Holly Jane Hart,
Michael McKay, Rebecca McMurray, Brian Richman
MEMBERS ABSENT: Charlie Drum, Rachel Zimmermann Smith
STAFF PRESENT: Tracy Hightshoe, Steve Long, Linda Severson, Kristin Watson
OTHERS PRESENT: Charlie Eastham
RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE CITY COUNCIL:
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Brian Richman at 6:30 p.m.
APPROVAL OF THE APRIL 15. 2010 MEETING MINUTES:
Chappell motioned to approve the minutes.
McKay seconded.
The motion carried 5-0 (Douglas and McMurray not present at time of vote; Drum and
Zimmermann Smith absent).
PUBLIC COMMENT OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA:
None.
STAFF/COMMISSION COMMENT:
Long said that the City had purchased four more properties through the flood buyout program,
bringing the number of homes acquired by the City to approximately 50. Richman asked what
would happen to the properties acquired by the City. Long said the properties would become
open space. Long said that out of 137 flooded homes, there were only 39 left that had not been
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bought out. Long said the long-term goal would be to acquire all of the homes in areas such as
Normandy Drive and dedicate the properties to open space.
Long said that the lottery drawing had been held for the Single Family New Homes Program; a
program funded by flood recovery dollars to replace housing stock eradicated by the floods. He
said that 40 homes have already been built; the lottery was for the additional 37 homes that are
in the process of being built. Long said that staff anticipates that 28 of the homes will be done
this autumn. Hart asked where the homes were located. Long said that the homes are
scattered all throughout the community.
Fair Housing Presentation by the Iowa City Human Rights Department:
Kristin Watson noted that she had spoken to the Commission before, and asked if they wished
to hear her standard presentation on the history of human rights issues and housing, or if they
preferred to be updated on the specific changes to the federal Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) that have recently been passed. The Commission indicated a desire to hear the ADA
updates. Watson noted that she had a handout that would give Commissioners the information
typically contained in her overview presentation.
Watson said that there are no real "rules" yet for the changes to the ADA, as the public
comment period on the legislation had just ended in November 2009. She said that it could take
the federal government another year or so to get the rules out.
The ADA was enacted in 1990. She said that the law was almost immediately reined in by the
courts, which made decisions limiting the scope of the law, thereby limiting its effectiveness.
Watson said that in 2008 the legislature attempted to correct what it saw as unfair
interpretations of courts that were not in keeping with the original intent of the law. As a result,
the legislature passed this updated legislation.
Watson said one of the key questions to be argued in the courts was what actually constituted a
"disability." Watson said it had become increasingly difficult for people to prove that they were
actually disabled. She said the basic definition said that "a disability is a physical or mental
impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities." She said that while this
might sound like a reasonable definition, there was extensive argument in the courts about what
this actually meant, often resulting in huge obstacles to plaintiffs who felt that they had been
discriminated against due to their disability and were seeking redress through the courts.
Watson said that the amendments to the ADA were intended to lower the threshold for
"disability" and to direct the courts to construe the language in favor of broad coverage.
Another point of argument in the original definition was what constituted "a major life activity."
Congress specified a list of activities and major bodily functions in order to be clear what is
considered a "major life activity." Watson said that often there were arguments in the courts
over whether a person was disabled enough to be considered "disabled." In the case of
diabetes, Watson noted, one person might be seriously debilitated by the disease and another
might be less so: same disease, but only one would be considered disabled under the old
reading. Under the new rules, they would both be considered disabled.
Watson said that another point that had been argued in the courts was "mitigating measures."
She said that the courts put people in a terrible position by saying that if there was an assistive
device, technology or medication that made the condition less disabling, then that person might
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
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not be considered disabled. Congress said in the new rules that mitigating measures cannot be
counted "against" someone in determining whether or not they are disabled. She said the idea
was that even if, for example, a person's diabetes can be controlled by medication, it still affects
that person's life and can disable them.
Watson said that in the past, courts had disallowed conditions that were "episodic" or in
"remission" from qualifying as a disability. Watson said that under the new rules, if a person has
a condition that is not presently active but would be disabling if it were active, that person
remains disabled even during periods of remission. She said conditions such as diabetes,
asthma, depression, cancer, epilepsy and bi-polar disorder often were argued over in the courts.
Hightshoe asked if these definitions of disability covered all federal programs, or if it was just to
get on disability or for employment discrimination. Watson said the list she was quoting is from
the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), so its context is employment. The
ADA itself, she said, covers both. Further, she said, the Fair Housing Act covers disability as a
protected status, so the definitions all cross over. McKay asked if the EEOC list meant that a
given disability would be treated the same way under the Fair Housing Act. Watson said she
would not say that across the board, but that the EEOC is a good guide. She said that the Fair
Housing Act has the same definition of disability as the ADA, so it would make sense if the
analysis also crossed over.
Richman said that the Commission's primary role is in developing new affordable housing
and/or rehabilitating existing affordable housing. He asked how the changes to the ADA are
likely to impact any of that. Watson said there are two prongs of fair housing issues: zoning
issues and landlord/tenant type issues. Watson said that there are often ADA issues that arise
in terms of accessibility and building standards. Watson said that section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act is probably quite pertinent to the Commission's work because it impacts all
federally funded programs. Watson said that frequently when lawsuits happen they are "kitchen
sink" type things, with as many laws cited as possible because one of the grounds might stick
and the others might get thrown out. Watson said that examples of problems the Commission
could run into would be much more subtle than housing discrimination historically, which dealt
with blatantly discriminatory covenants and zoning codes. She said it once was quite common
for subdivisions and developments to have covenants stating that the homes could not be sold
to anyone other than white Christians. Long noted that in the abstract for one of the homes
purchased by the City in the buy-out there was a clause stating that the home could not be sold
to a non-white person. Watson said such covenants were not outlawed until 1948.
McKay asked if any of the ADA changes that just came out would really significantly impact
housing. McKay asked what the affect on access to housing would be for someone that could
now be classified as disabled because of their diabetes. Watson said that it may be an issue of
landlord/renter perception. She said that diabetes may not be a huge impediment to renting, but
it could be to employment. She said that there are lots of disabilities that might be restrictive
from a landlord's point of view. Watson said that her office most commonly hears complaints
about being discriminated against because of a mental disability. Often times, such people will
have been determined not to be disabled enough to live in a group home or institution, but face
discrimination in finding an apartment to rent.
Hightshoe asked what an affordable housing provider would be required to do in a case where
there is an older unit and a potential renter with amobility-impairment. Watson said that the
provider is obligated to make reasonable accommodations for the disability; she acknowledged
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that the term "reasonable" had led to a lot of legal arguments. Watson said that what is
reasonable depends on the means and needs of both the tenant and the landlord. Watson
said that buildings constructed after 1993 are required to be accessible. The questions arise for
buildings constructed prior to 1993, and what is "reasonable" to do in order to make them
accessible. Watson said that the tenant and landlord have to engage in an interactive process,
wherein the tenant asks for an accommodation and the landlord and tenant determine if the
request is reasonable and feasible. She noted that the landlord does not have to give the
tenant whatever the tenant desires. She also noted that the landlord cannot ask about a
disability prior to an accommodation request. However, once an accommodation request is
made, the tenant can be required to demonstrate why the accommodation is necessary.
Watson said that one area where this comes into play is in service animals. She said that if a
tenant is blind and has a guide dog, the relationship is fairly obvious and straightforward.
Whereas if a tenant says that they have a mental disability and that their cat is a therapy animal
for emotional assistance, the need for the accommodation might not be so readily apparent to a
landlord, and additional information/documentation may be required.
McKay asked to what extent a housing provider funded by HCDC would have to make a house
they were rehabilitating ADA compliant. He asked if the provider would be required to put in
ramps and widen doorways. Watson said that is where the test for reasonable accommodation
comes into play. She said those types of things would have to be reviewed on a case-by-case
basis. Any new construction would have to meet all federal guidelines.
Long noted a section on page four of Watson's handout that outlined what could not be
discriminated against. Long said that was probably something that the Commission could keep
in mind as they were allocating money. Watson said that federal, state and local laws are
different. Watson said that in our legal system a state law cannot do anything opposing federal
law or contravening its purpose, but it can expand upon it and change the details of it. Watson
said that in this case the federal Fair Housing Act covers race, color, national origin, sex,
religion, family status and disability, Iowa's law adds sexual orientation, gender identity,
retaliation and creed, and Iowa City adds public assistance as a source of income, marital
status, presence or absence of dependents, and age.
Watson said that discrimination in housing sometimes manifests in the following ways: refusing
to rent or sell to a person, representing that a unit is not available, showing people homes in
only certain neighborhoods, not giving information on financial status (such as different types of
bank loans available), and discriminatory advertising (specifying the "type" of renter desired).
She said that marketing to a certain population is within the bounds of the law. She gave the
example of The Lodge which caters to students. She said it is fine to cater to students and
market to them; however, The Lodge could not refuse to rent to a family on the basis that they
have children.
Richman asked if there were any other questions from the Commission; there were none.
Long noted that this briefing had been scheduled long before the City had received a letter from
The Housing Fellowship alleging potential violation of the Fair Housing Act by the City for
refusing to approve a specific site for aloes-income housing project. Long said that the
Commission would be updated on that matter when the City Attorney's Office had finished
reviewing it.
Watson thanked the Commission for their time.
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Discussion of the City of Iowa City Human Services Apency Funding:
Long said that a City Council member had recommended that the Aid to Agencies process be
reviewed. Long said that Linda Severson of the Johnson County Council of Governments
(JCCOG) was present to discuss the matter, and was very familiar with that process.
Long said that Aid to Agencies basically provides operational funding for 13-15non-profit
agencies in Iowa City. Long said that money is pooled from the general fund, CDBG, and some
funds from utilities to provide this funding. Long said that at present, two City Council members
sit down with Severson each year and review the applications for funding and make
recommendations to City Council. One City Council member has suggested taking a look at the
possibility of HCDC absorbing that $425,000 and looking at all of the public service agencies
together and then making a recommendation to the City Council. Long said that Severson
would continue to assist with the process, as she is quite knowledgeable on the subject.
Severson said that Aid to Agencies funds 13-14 agencies each year. The application is a joint-
funding application completed by agencies requesting funds from Iowa City, Coralville, Johnson
County and/or United Way. The joint application is so that each of the funding sources can be
sure to have the same information, and to make the application process easier for the non-profit
agencies. Severson said the application is somewhat more in depth than the CDBG/HOME
application and requests information on the requestor's short-term and long-term goals,
demographic information on their clientele, staffing questions, and collaborative efforts.
Severson said each applicant is asked to provide a balance sheet and a budget, with athree-
year view. Information is requested on the organizational structure of the agency, including
information on its Board of Directors, non-monetary sources of support (such as volunteer time),
and other grants/funding sources. Severson said the application spans approximately 15
pages, and the broader, more in-depth nature of the application is because the support being
provided is also broader and is for operational expenses. Severson pointed out that
CDBG/HOME applications tend to be project-specific, whereas Aid to Agencies is intended to
support the agency as a whole or for a specific program within the agency.
Severson said that if HCDC decides to take the Aid to Agencies process on, then it might gain
some insight and knowledge that would help in its own allocation process, as many of the
applying agencies are the same. Severson said that site visits are a part of the application
process.
Richman asked if the list of agencies that are funded is fairly consistent from year to year;
Severson said that it is. Severson said that the program tends to be pretty flexible as to how the
agencies spend the money because so many other funding sources have specific requirements
for how it is spent. She gave the example of the Free Medical Clinic, which uses Aid to Agency
money to pay its utility bills; they are able to get other funding sources for medications and
medical tests, but they need lights and heat to be able to actually see patients. Severson said
she believed that this flexibility is something the agencies really appreciate about this funding.
Chappell asked what the timing of the application process is. Severson said that applications
are due September 1S' and she tries to get them to the City Council by November. She said the
timeline and start date are similar to that of the CDBG/HOME process. Douglas asked if the
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idea would be to discuss four categories during the allocation process, rather than three. Long
said that was a possibility, or Aid to Agencies could be considered separately.
Severson said the funding tends to continue from year to year with Aid to Agencies, whereas
with CDBG, the funding tends to be more project based with a specific start and end. Richman
asked what the City Council rationale was for suggesting this responsibility be moved over to
HCDC. Long and Severson did not know the reason for the request.
Hart noted that in the past there was some discussion on the Council's part of removing the
CDBG/HOME allocation process from HCDC altogether. Hart said that her understanding was
that one of the reasons Aid to Agencies existed was because the agencies relied on it for major
operational expenses, some of which were tied to the need to have guaranteed income for
future years. Long said it was possible, but that there is still no guarantee from year to year.
Hightshoe said that her understanding is that City Council just wants to know if HCDC is
interested in reviewing the process; if HCDC wanted to take it on or to dramatically change the
funding process then they would have to go back to Council to do that.
Chappell asked if the Council member who requested that this be considered is one of the
Council members who currently participates in the review of Aid to Agencies applications. Long
said that he is not sure which Council member made the request, but that his understanding is
that the Council member has reviewed Aid to Agencies applications in the past.
Chappell asked what criteria Severson and the two reviewing Council members used to
evaluate the applications. Severson said that she provides information and finds answers to
questions; the Council members determine dollar amounts. Chappell asked if there was a
ranking system and Severson said there was not.
Chappell said that he does not have a problem doing more work if the Council thinks HCDC
should take this on. He said it was an interesting request; however, he is concerned that the
Commission's name, by-laws and the resolution creating it would all have to be amended to
accommodate that request, unless community development was considered in its broadest
sense. Chappell said that if the Aid to Agencies funding cycle did not run directly parallel to the
HCDC funding cycle that would be more convenient, because adding an entirely separate
funding process on at the busiest time of the year is not ideal. He said that if the applying
agencies are largely the same for both funding sources, it may not be realistic to expect entirely
independent reviews.
Richman said that historically the amount that HCDC has available to allocate for Public
Services is on the order of $10,000. He said that if the Commission takes on Aid to Agencies, it
might make more sense to just roll that $10,000 into Aid to Agencies to avoid going through the
same process twice to allocate operating dollars to agencies.
Hightshoe noted that one of HCDC's bylaws states that one of the Commission's duties is to
review and make recommendations to Council regarding the use of public funds to meet the
needs of low-to-moderate income residents. Chappell asked if all of the applying agencies
would serve low-to-moderate income residents. Severson said the vast majority of them do, but
she would have to look into it to be sure. She said that in the past they have looked more
closely at the services the agency provided than at the income level served.
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
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Severson noted that Aid to Agencies applications are due in September and the CDBG
applications are due in January. Timing-wise, the Commission could look at Aid to Agencies as
more of an autumn activity rather than running parallel to the CDBG/HOME application process.
Long pointed out that if that were done then it would still work to estimate $10,000 of Public
Services money is added to the Aid to Agencies funding. Long said that one thing that is nice
about keeping the Public Services amounts small is that it does allow for new, smaller
applicants to come into the funding. He said that $2,500 sometimes makes all the difference for
a start-up. McMurray said that at one point HCDC had discussed the idea of disallowing Public
Services funding for anyone already receiving Aid to Agencies, but that they had never followed
through with the idea. She said that idea was intended to encourage new applicants.
Richman asked if anyone had any specific thoughts about advantages or disadvantages to
HCDC taking on this process. Hart said it interests her to know who made the request. She
wondered if it was the case that the funding process had become too politicized or if the
requesting member simply wanted another set of eyes on the process. Chappell said that there
could be a perception that the two individuals making the recommendations to the rest of the
Council play too big a role in the funding process, noting that this was pure speculation. McKay
said that he felt that the Commission was broad enough and big enough that there are many
different approaches to thinking about these issues, and that might be a healthier way of
allocating the money. To him, it would provide a better chance at objectivity. Chappell said it
may also be that the City Council as a whole might feel more comfortable changing or going
against recommendations that come from an outside body rather than two of its own members.
Hightshoe said she could see both advantages and disadvantages. She said that as she sees it
the advantages are: 1) an appearance of greater objectivity, 2) being able to combine the Public
Services money with the Aid to Agency money, and 3) it could address the criticism that Aid to
Agencies funding does not always match the priorities listed in CITY STEPS. Hightshoe said
the greatest disadvantage is that it is more work and an additional 15-16 applications per year
will be much more time consuming. Severson said that staff does not know what kind of City
Council support there is for making this move; they only know that one person made the request
that the idea be examined. She said that she does not have a good sense for whether or not
this will actually go anywhere.
Severson said that funding amounts vary from approximately $5,000 to $60,000 per year for
agencies. She said that last year a new agency had been funded, and a fairly big agency had
their usual funding reduced. She said the Council members stated the reduction was because
the money amounted to a fairly small percentage of the agency's budget and so would not be
overly painful, and had nothing to do with service delivery or administration. Severson said that
for some agencies Aid to Agencies is a significant percentage of their budget. Douglas asked
what the ratio generally was between funds requested and funds rewarded. Severson said that
there is always much more requested than is rewarded, generally about twice the amount.
Severson said that she believed that at one point in time agencies were directed not to request
more than a 3-5% increase in operational funding from Aid to Agencies. Additionally, agencies
have been asked to request only what they need, with the understanding that full funding is
unlikely.
Richman asked if it was correct that the Commission did not really need to make a motion on
this item one way or the other; that the discussion was intended as a way of gathering
information on the matter. Long said that a recommendation on whether or not HCDC wished to
pursue the idea might be helpful. Chappell said that he does not have any problem with doing
the work if the City Council decides they want the Commission to do it; however, he said he had
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some problem with the idea of making a recommendation that the Commission wants it or wants
to pursue it because he does not want to give the perception that the Commission is seeking to
expand its area of influence. He said he has no objection to it, and if it comes to pass his
preference would be to front-load the application process to the autumn months to avoid two
parallel allocation processes. McKay said he felt much the same way. Douglas said it seems in
some ways like a natural fit for the Commission and he would not mind taking it on. McMurray
said she would be fine with taking it on, and Hart and Drum indicated that they too were fine
with that.
Richman said his impression of the Commission's feeling on the subject is that if City Council
allocates this responsibility to the Commission, there is a willingness among Commissioners to
do it. Agreement with this statement was indicated. Severson noted that it is her understanding
that she would continue to staff this particular process, and that she felt she and the
Commission could work well together on it.
Discussion of $2 9 Million in Anticipated Program Income to be Allocated for a Levee on
the West Side of the Iowa River and Other Projects:
Long explained that the Aniston Village project, a project of The Housing Fellowship, was
awarded $2.9 million in supplemental disaster CDBG funds in October 2009 for construction
financing of a 22-unit low-income housing tax-credit project. Long said this project is moving
along nicely. Long said this construction loan is to be paid back to the City as administrator of
the loan even though the funds were from the State. When the loan is paid off in May 2011, the
City will receive $2.9 million. Long said the Commission needed to start thinking about how it
wished to spend those funds. He said that there is a whole public process to be gone through
before committing any funds, as well as amending the Action Plan, so this is just the beginning
of the discussion.
Long said that the City had hired a consultant after the 2008 floods to do some future planning
for flood mitigation. Long said that the proposed west levee extends essentially from the
railroad tracks just north of Commercial Court all the way down to the new McCollister Bridge.
Long said that the reason this is coming up right now is because there was a round of I-JOBS
funds that were announced this spring which have an application due date of August 2"d. In
order to apply for those funds, Council approval must first be obtained. Staff is recommending
that a portion of the $2.9 million being returned to the City is set aside to construct a levee to
protect Thatcher Mobile Home Court, Baculis Mobile Home Park and Commercial Court. This
levee would protect approximately hundreds of homes and 23 businesses. The City hired an
engineering firm which estimated the project at $4.4 million; the City hopes to pare that down to
$4 million over the next couple of weeks.
Long said staff is requesting that $1.9 million of the Aniston Village money be set aside as a
match for the I-JOBS grant. Long said the project seems to have some congressional support.
He said the primary vehicle for the City's flood mitigation has been through the acquisition of
property. Long said that in this case that strategy will not work, as the property owners do not
wish to sell. He noted that a temporary levee built from sandbags was constructed for the area
during the floods and it helped keep the area from being severely damaged. Richman asked if
the mobile home parks were privately owned. Long said they were. Richman asked if they
were owned by the residents of the mobile home parks; Long said the residents pay rent for
their lots. Richman asked if the expectation is that the mobile home parks will continue to
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operate as mobile home parks, or if the owners intend to develop the property as something
else; he noted that a permanent levee would certainly make the area more developable and
increase its property value. Long said he did not know what the short-term plans for the
property were; he said the City's Comprehensive Plan for long-range planning does not include
mobile home parks at all. Long said that as of today the current owners do not wish to sell their
properties. Chappell asked if an east levee was going to be built. Long said there was no
funding for it at this time.
Douglas asked what it means when the Comprehensive Plan does not "list" a housing type.
Long said that it certainly could continue to exist but that the Comprehensive Plan was along-
range planning document for where and what kind of development the City would like to see
occur. Severson noted that many other communities have used CDBG money to do such
improvements. She said it is an eligible expense; Iowa City just-tends to use the funds for
agencies that provide community services. Long said that what was attractive to staff about this
project is that it is an area where low-to-moderate income people live that is vulnerable to
flooding.
Chappell asked if there have been other projects discussed that might be of better benefit to the
residents, such as moving their mobile homes to a park that is not flood prone. Long said the
last relocation of a mobile home park cost the city $15 million. Chappell said that had been a
forced relocation which paid all costs, whereas this would be strictly voluntary. He asked if the
City had considered any other way of protecting those residents. Long said the owners of the
mobile home courts will not sell. Chappell said he is not talking about buying the entire
property. He said he meant that if there were individual home owners who want to voluntarily
move their mobile home to a mobile home park less prone to flooding, would there be any way
to assist those residents. Long said he did not know where such money would come from. He
noted that most of the mobile homes cannot be moved anyway. Severson said she wished to
mention that mobile homes really are not very mobile these days due to their size. She said
another challenge is that a lot of mobile home courts will not accept used trailers in their lots.
She said that they pretty much want to sell one of their own units to their residents, and that
there is not much moving of manufactured housing units that actually goes on. Long said that
there also not very many mobile home lots available in the city, though there are some in the
county. Hightshoe said that the City had attempted to move these mobile home parks after the
1993 floods, but the plan fell through.
Richman said that it sounds as though CDBG funds have generally not been used to fund
infrastructure improvements in the past. He said he could understand why such a large pot of
money would be looked at for infrastructure purposes. Richman asked where this particular
levee project fell on the list of infrastructure priorities for the city. Long reminded him that they
had to be projects to assist low-to-moderate income people. Long said the project does appear
in the Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) which has been adopted by City Council; however, it is
an unfunded project in the CIP.
Chappell asked why no money had been set aside in the FY11 budget to meet the 50% match
requirement for the I-JOBS grant. Long said the match requirement was new, and was not in
the first I-JOBS grant. Long said that the engineering has been done, so the project is basically
shovel ready.
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Chappell asked if the low-to-moderate income connection to the area was strictly because of the
residences. Hightshoe said that was correct; the businesses are just in a census tract of low-to-
moderate-income residences.
Chappell said it seemed to him that the owners of the mobile home parks are the ones to see
enormous benefits from this levee. Long said the businesses in the area will also benefit.
Chappell said that he meant that the owners receive much greater benefit from the levee than
the low-to-moderate income residents of the mobile home park. Long notes that levees are not
guaranteed, so the protection is also not guaranteed. Long explained that the City owns quite a
bit of land surrounding the Baculis and Thatcher mobile home parks.
Douglas noted that the money is coming from the repayment of a construction loan for
affordable housing and asked if any consideration had been give to pouring the money back in
to the construction of affordable housing. Long said that construction is not allowed with CDBG
money, but affordable housing could be supported with the funding in other ways. Long said the
money has to be used quickly as there is a "timeliness" test for CDBG funds. Hightshoe said
the City has about a year to spend it due to expenditure measures used by HUD.
Chappell noted that the Commission has heard complaints that the land the City Council would
like to have used for low-to-moderate income housing is too expensive to purchase; however,
ways were apparently found to pay $2.9 million for that very thing. Long said the possibility of
land banking lots for future development by housing providers is allowable under CDBG rules.
Richman said that the City's Comprehensive Plan seems to be indicating that the ultimate goal
is to have commercial or commercial/industrial development in that area.
Long said that the eastern part of the property is in the 100-year floodplain, with a couple of
homes actually in the floodway.
Chappell asked if the City had any short-term plan for redevelopment of those areas. Long said
with that many people living there the City would not have any plans for redevelopment. He
noted that there is a trail planned for the top of the levee, but that it would be paid for by another
funding source.
Richman said that ultimately it is a $4 million project to protect 160 mobile home residences,
which is about $25,000 per unit. Long pointed out that it would also be protecting businesses.
He said that protecting the tax-base is an important part of the project. Chappell said that
ultimately the tax base is what would really be protected by this levee, considering that the
Comprehensive Plan does not even include residential living in that area. Richman noted that
the levee would make the land more valuable. Chappell added that this could in turn make the
rents higher.
Douglas asked if staff was asking for a recommendation on this issue. Long said that a
recommendation has been requested but is not required. Long said that City Council will be
discussing the project as a whole on July 12tH
Chappell asked how confident staff is that the money that is due in May will actually be paid.
Long said they are very confident, as there is an agreement in place.
McKay said he is in favor of supporting the request.
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Gatlin said that his position would be not to make a recommendation at all and to let Council
decide how to proceed.
Richman said that without a better idea about the other infrastructure needs in the city and the
long-term plans for the site, it is hard for him to make a recommendation at this point.
McKay moved to support the request that $1.9 million in CDBG funds be set aside for the
levee project on the west side of the river.
Hart seconded.
Richman asked if there was any further discussion.
Chappell said he is not supportive of the project as it has been presented. He said that he
understands why staff is making the request now, but that he does not know enough about what
kinds of requests will come in for this money to know if it is the best idea. Chappell said there is
potential for untold creativity for applicants with this size of pot available to them. He said there
are too many important questions unanswered about the project and he cannot support it at this
point.
A vote was taken and the motion failed 4-1 (Chappell, Gatlin, Douglas and Richman
opposed; McKay in favor; Hart and McMurray abstained).
Long noted that City Council would discuss this issue on July 12tH
Subcommittee Report: Community Development Celebration:
Hightshoe said the celebration will be held at First Mennonite Church, which houses the Home
Ties program. Home Ties provides free daycare to homeless children while their
parents/guardians look for housing and /or employment. Hightshoe said that the celebration will
be held Thursday, August 19tH, from 4:30-6 p.m., with an awards ceremony at 6:00 p.m.
Hightshoe said the speakers have not yet been confirmed, but the mayor will be present. She
noted that Richman would not be available to make the closing remarks and she wondered if
any HCDC member would be interested in giving 2-3 minutes of closing remarks. McKay
offered to do give the closing remarks.
MONITORING REPORTS:
FY07 8< FY08 Habitat for Humanity -Homeownership (Chappell): Chappell said that all
funds had been expended, with 90% being spent within 6 months of the funds being released.
All of the FY07 homes will be completed by the end of this year and the FY08 homes by next
summer.
IC Housing Rehabilitation (staffl: Long said that the housing rehab staff is still handling flood
recovery projects. Generally, they administer federal programs and use local geo-bonds to fund
rehab programs. He said there are six different programs through this office. Long said it was a
very busy year in which over a million dollars in flood recovery and CDBG money was spent.
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
JUNE 30, 2010
PAGE 12 of 12
This office helps out with the UniverCity Program, funded through I-JOBS. Long said the City
will have acquired eight homes through this project as of August 1St
IC Economic Development (staffl: Hightshoe said that at the beginning of the year there was
$120,000 in funds. She said that over the course of the year three applications have been
received. Corridor Drywall was funded at $35,000. She said the purpose of the fund is not to
compete with private lenders. One application was denied due to lack of applicant contribution,
and one was denied because they were eligible for private financing. One business funded in a
prior year, Atlas Home Services, defaulted, and the Attorney's Office will be representing the
City's interests in the resulting bankruptcy and foreclosure proceedings.
Hightshoe said that another $108,000 will be set aside as of July 1St, giving the program
$193,000 to work with. Staff has been looking at ways to promote economic development
activities in the Towncrest, Riverfront Crossings, and the St. Pat's development area with limited
staff/planning time. On July 12th City Council will be looking at a proposed agreement between
the City and the National Development Council, an agency providing technical and planning
assistance to cities.
Richman asked if there were any changes that staff would recommend that would preclude a
default like Atlas' from occurring in the future. Hightshoe said she did not think so. She said
that Atlas had a much larger loan from a local lender and the economic development funding
was more of a gap financing. The bank also reviewed the business through their underwriting
criteria and made a large loan to the business. She said the business was owned and managed
by a married couple. The last update from the business was that the business owners were
living in separate residences and were going through adivorce/separation. It appears that this
precipitated the collapse of the business. Long said that he believes there has only been one
other instance of default in the last ten years.
Aid to Aaencies -United Action for Youth (Doualasl: Douglas said he had a call into the
director but had not yet connected with him. Hightshoe said UAY spends out its allocation every
month. The money was spent for counseling, at-risk youth, and teen moms.
Long thanked McKay for speaking at the dedication of the Wetherby Splash pad as a
representative of HCDC. Long said that has been a wildly popular CDBG funded project.
ADJOURNMENT:
McKay motioned to adjourn.
Hart seconded.
The motion carried 7-0 (Drum and Zimmermann Smith absent).
The meeting was adjourned at 8:07 p.m.
Public Art Advisory Committee
Thursday, July 1 2010
Page 1 of 3
MINUTES
PUBLIC ART ADVISORY COMMITTEE
THURSDAY, JULY 1, 2010
LOBBY CONFERENCE ROOM -CITY HALL
IP12
PRELIMINARY
Members Present: Annadora Khan, DaLayne Williamson, Patrick Carney, Rick
Fosse, Mike Moran
Members Absent: Jan Finlayson, Mark Seabold
Staff Present: Marcia Bollinger, Rebecca Raab
Public Present: none
RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY COUNCIL
Recommend approval of acceptance of wooden carved sculptures donated
by Art Small and the Horan/Dewey family. Moved by Fosse, Seconded by
Finlayson. The motion passed 5:0.
CALL TO ORDER
Finlayson called the meeting to order 3:35 PM
PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON AGENDA
None
CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE MAY 6, 2010 AND THE
MINUTES OF THE INFORMAL NOTES FROM JUNE 4, 2010 FIELD VISIT
Approved as presented
ACCEPTANCE OF WOODEN CARVED SCULPTURES DONATED BY ART
SMALL AND THE HORAN/DEWEY FAMILY
Khan presented her preference to soak the sculptures in a wood treatment
mixture instead of painting them as previously suggested. Committee members
agreed this would be the best way to present the art. Fosse asked how the City
would physically acquire the art. Bollinger said that a formal contract would have
to be presented to City Council at their July 12th meeting. Fosse discussed how
the sculptures could be moved and cleaned. Bollinger discussed how various
Public Art Advisory Committee
Thursday, July 1 2010
Page 2 of 3
features of the art pieces could be preserved while being moved and Khan
agreed they should determine which elements were original.
MOTION: Fosse moved to approve the acceptance of the carved sculptures,
Finlayson seconded. The motion passed 5:0.
UPDATE ON LONGFELLOW NEIGHBORHOOD ART PROJECT REPAIRS AND
POTENTIAL DOWNTOWN PARKING METER ART PROGRAM
Bollinger reviewed the damage to the Longfellow Neighborhood Art project and a
proposal to replace a damaged sign with vinyl to protect it from winter salt. Khan
asked if these issues were discussed in the Longfellow newsletter and Bollinger
said she could ask the newsletter editor to include this information in the next
newsletter.
Bollinger discussed the downtown parking meter program recently put in place.
Khan discussed how she thought they may not be visible enough. Bollinger
discussed commissioning local artists to decorate the parking meters. Carney
asked whether there had been a call to artists to ask them to participate in this
program and Bollinger said there had not been once yet as she wanted the
committee to discuss the matter formally at their September 2, 2010 meeting.
COMMITTEE TIME/UPDATES
Bollinger also mentioned that the Iowa City Public Library was starting a new
public art project that mimics the Herky on Parade event from 2004 only this will
feature books that artists will decorate.
Bollinger discussed the upcoming "Sand in the City" project. She asked if any
committee members were interested in participating.
ADJOURNMENT
Robinson motion to adjourn; Fosse seconded. Meeting adjourned at 4:00 PM.
Next meeting scheduled for Thursday, September 2~d, 2010.
Meetings submitted by Rebecca Raab.
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