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2014-12-23 Info Packet
4 '� amew CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION PACKET CITY OF IOWA CITY www.icgov.org December 23, 2014 IP1 Council Tentative Meeting Schedule MISCELLANEOUS IP2 Article from City Manager: Small change making a big difference IP3 Article from City Manager: How School Segregation Divides Ferguson — and the United States IP4 Civil Services Entrance Examination — Maintenance Operator, Water IP5 Civil Services Entrance Examination — Maintenance Worker II, Streets IP6 Email from Iowa Department of Natural Resources: Trees for Kids Application IP7 Minutes Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee - October 1 IP8 Minutes Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee - November 5 IP9 Minutes Economic Development Committee — December 8 DRAFT MINUTES I1310 Historic Preservation Commission: December 11 �r CITY OF IOWA CITY Date Tuesday, January 6, 2015 Saturday, January 10, 2015 Monday, January 12, 2015 L-2T- PjjU— IN City Council Tentative Meeting Schedule Subject to change December 23. 2014 Time Meeting 5:00 PM Work Session Meeting 7:00 PM Formal Meeting 8AM-5PM Special Budget Work Session (Department Presentations) 1:00-7:OOPM Special Budget Work Session (CIP Presentations) Location Emma J. Harvat Hall Emma J. Harvat Hall Emma J. Harvat Hall Tuesday, January 13, 2015 5:00 PM Special Work Session (equity) Emma J. Harvat Hall Tuesday, January 20, 2015 5:00 PM Work Session Meeting Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:00 PM Formal Meeting Monday, January 26, 2015 4:30 PM Joint Meeting / Work Session IC Public Library Monday, Feburary 9, 2015 5:00 PM City Conference Board Meeting Emma J. Harvat Hall Work Session Meeting 7:00 PM Special Formal Meeting Monday, February 23, 2015 5:00 PM Work Session Meeting Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:00 PM Special Formal Meeting Monday, March 9, 2015 5:00 PM City Conference Board Meeting Emma J. Harvat Hall Work Session Meeting 7:00 PM Special Formal Meeting Monday, March 23, 2015 5:00 PM Work Session Meeting Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:00 PM Formal Meeting Tuesday, April 7, 2015 5:00 PM Work Session Meeting Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:00 PM Formal Meeting Tuesday, April 21, 2015 5:00 PM Work Session Meeting Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:00 PM Formal Meeting Tuesday, May 5, 2015 5:00 PM Work Session Meeting Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:00 PM Formal Meeting Tuesday, May 19, 2015 5:00 PM Work Session Meeting Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:00 PM Formal Meeting FROM THE CITY MANAGER Small change making a big difference Page 1 of 4 ivz www. NORTH LI-BERTYLEADER SOLON ECONOMIST.COM Published on Solon Economist and North Liberty Leader (hftp://www.northlibertyleader.com) Home > Small change making a big difference Small change making a big difference United Way of Johnson County, MidWestOne partner for financial literacy program By Lori Lindner NORTH LIBERTY— Banking and saving; debit cards and credit cards; paying bills and paying off debt; insurance, taxes and investing... Regardless of income, navigating the maze of financial decision-making is never simple. Yet money management is more often learned through the school of hard knocks than through any educational institution or formal curriculum. Fortunately, a new financial literacy program is now helping guide the way for some Johnson County residents. United Way of Johnson and Washington counties, in partnership with MidWestOne Bank, launched the Money Smart Johnson County Initiative to provide financial literacy classes to low -to -moderate income individuals and families. Modeled on the FDIC's Money Smart curriculum, the local program began in October in two locations in Iowa City and North Liberty. The North Liberty class, held at the North Liberty Community Library, boasted a 100 percent graduation rate. On Nov. 20, the 20 North Liberty graduates, armed with new knowledge and practical advice, proudly accepted certificates of completion and vowed to take charge of their money situations from here forward, and United Way staff members were on hand to help them celebrate. "Having all of the North Liberty participants go through all five sessions is remarkable because it requires a commitment to learning and attending sessions for five weeks during times where there can be competing family priorities and unforeseen life issues that need to be addressed," said Patti Fields, United Way's Vice President for Community Impact and Engagement. "This really indicates the level of commitment and the need for services and assistance in North Liberty." Taught by MidWestOne professionals, the five-week program offers basic information about banking, money management and financial goal setting. Eligibility is income -based; participants must be at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guideline, but every person who completes all five weeks of classes receives $500 to open a checking or savings account at the financial institution of his or her choice. "There was obviously a commitment to the program and also enough of an incentive that it was important," said Fields. Having a bank account is key for financial stability, she added, and the organizations' goal was to determine what incentive would be effective to make http://www.northlibertyleader.com/print/43842 12/11/2014 Small change making a big difference Page 2 of 4 the effort worthwhile to participants. "We thought it would be successful if we have 50 percent (participation). And look what we had." While the incentive was appreciated, participants on graduation day were equally thrilled with the other benefits they gained— a better understanding of banking concepts, a stronger handle on spending decisions, and the feeling of being in control of money instead of it controlling them. "It taught me how to keep track of things, like ATM receipts," said participant Anne Welch. "When they started showing us how to use the spreadsheets, and I'm doing my math in the corner, I realized how much I was spending on iced coffee every month. We need to learn to discipline ourselves, and this definitely helped." Fields said meetings last spring between area service providers and banking institutions pointed to the need and urgency for financial education and literacy. According to the United Way website, the "Cost of Living in Iowa" report and the 2010 Johnson County Community Assessment indicated that 33.7 percent of households in Johnson County are at 200 percent of the federal poverty level or below. Financial education and literacy programs are targeted toward helping individuals gain skills to work their way toward financial stability. "United Way really felt it was an important gap to address because financial illiteracy can compound problems. Without the basic understanding of money concepts and financial options, people are likely to pay more than they have to for financial services, fall into debt, damage their credit records, or even declare bankruptcy," said Fields. Those without bank accounts sometimes rely on the high-cost alternatives of check cashing services and very high -interest financial service options. "Poor financial choices harm both the individuals and our community. In reality there are so many people who may live paycheck -to -paycheck, where it only takes one event— like a car repair or a significant illness— that can breakdown everything," said Fields. Interventions like the Money Smart program help people living at a lower income rate, but there are still others at higher income levels who lack significant savings, are on fixed incomes without the opportunity to increase earnings, and those without income support when emergencies happen. "We see instability a lot, across many populations," she said. And circumstances that create instability are different from household to household, said Fields, which lent diversity to the Money Smart attendees. "There were single individuals that had fixed incomes, parents working to make ends meet and care for their families, and a diverse set of households that participated," Fields noted. "As highlighted in "The Cost of Living in Iowa," for our area, a household needs to earn 200 percent or more of the federal poverty guideline to meet a basic needs budget that allows for food at home, transportation to and from work, housing, childcare (if needed) and medical care. This basic budget does not allow for savings, debt reduction or ability to respond to life emergencies." Class graduate Welch estimated she was one of the oldest participants in the group, but thought she might have had more to learn than anyone. "Everybody brings something different to the table. A lot of people came in already organized, and others are learning new skills," Welch said. She was happy to see the wide range of ages of those who took the class. "I think it's great that there were a lot of young people here, because they'll learn young. They will greatly benefit from this." MidWestOne Bank North Liberty branch manager Scott Jamison and branch universal banker David Starr, who instructed the five sessions, received high praise at the conclusion of the program from class members, including Sara Lemley. "They explained everything through all the modules each time, and answered all our http://www.northlibertyleader.com/print/43842 12/11/2014 Small change making a big difference Page 3 of 4 questions," said Sara. "I would definitely recommend someone else to take it, because it's an awesome opportunity to learn how to save money and better manage your money." Starr said he was glad to help with the Money Smart program because he understands what it can be like to be confused about money; when he started his first bank account at the age of 16, he was handed an ATM card and a checkbook, and then left on his own to figure it out. "This is the first time I've ever done anything like this," said Starr. "I truly enjoyed it. This (class) is something that I would like more people to take, so they can see there is help out there, that there are solutions." Fields said program organizers will now pull together all the data, outcomes and feedback from the pilot classes for review, and make changes to the program and process to make them even better for the next set of participants. In addition, the United Way is scheduled to conduct a new community assessment in 2015, which will provide additional information to help shape and improve the program in its next iterations. "Since the 2010 Assessment it seems that 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines may not be enough," Fields said. "We may be adjusting some of the targets in the 2020 vision goals." Lori Lindner North Liberty Leader Community 02012 Solon Economist and North Liberty Leader SURF -,-,v Contact Us SOLON ECONOMIST 102 N. Market St. P.O. Box 249 Solon IA 52333 (319) 624-2233 NORTH LIBERTY LEADER 10 W. Cherry St. - P.O. Box 288 North Liberty, IA 52317 665-2199 Popular content • Weather Ad • UICCU big box • Solon retirement village • mercy hospital internal medicine • South slope rocket internet more http://www.northlibertyleader.com/print/43842 12/11/2014 Small change making a big difference Page 4 of 4 Email News Alerts Get breaking news delivered to your email. Email: * Subscribe Unsubscribe http://www.northlibertyleader.com/print/43842 12/11/2014 Financial Education Initiative Money $mart Johnson County Introduction Financial education and literacy aims to increase "the ability to make informed judgments and to make effective decisions regarding the use and management of money." An urgent national need for quality financial education exists. Money $mart Johnson County Results Utilizing the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's (FDIC) Money Smart program, presenters from MidWestOne Bank presented 5 weeks of classes from October 21 to November 20, 2014 in Iowa City and North Liberty. Each class started with 20 participants registered that met the criteria of earning 200% or below the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Iowa City Ten out of the twenty registered participants completed the session. We had a few challenges with this group. There were six participants registered that were clients from the United Action for Youth. Four of them did not show up for the first class and a fifth did not complete the sessions. Only one of them made it all the way through. We have had conversations with MidWestOne and United Action for Youth about partnering on sessions that are just for those clients, they are good candidates for the information but they were not good candidates for these sessions. There were two participants that were not appropriate referrals for the program and they did not make it past the 2"d class. These clients were so disruptive to the sessions and process that we had to cancel the third class and catch everyone up in the fourth and fifth session. North Liberty All twenty participants registered completed all of the sessions and it is remarkable outcome. Total Costs Deposit Incentives for 30 participants: $15,000 Child Care Costs: $650 total for 5 weeks both locations Total Cost of the Pilot Program: $15,650 Participant Profile Of the 30 participants that completed the program: Average family size: 3 Average Annual Income: 15,878 Next Steps In December, United Way and MidWestOne will meet to discuss and debrief the sessions and review all of the data collected. There are already minor changes in process that we have identified to improve the process and sessions for participants. We will have a formal recommendation for the future in early 2015. Iowa City Financial Practice Avg Score Write down and prioritize financial goals that are realistic and 3.3 Discuss goals with spouse and/or family 3.5 Identify first steps needed to reach your 4 Learn strategies for bringing income and expenses into balance 4.1 Follow your spending plan 3.7 Pay bills on time 4.2 Open checking and savings account at a bank or credit union 4.1 Learn about and obtain employer and public benefits available to 3.8 Reduce Debt 4.2 Establish a good debt repayment history 3.8 Use a filing system for financial records 3.5 Resist financial offers that are too good to be true 4.1 Save regularly to achieve your goals 3.7 1 - I am not considering this 2 -1 am considering this 3 -1 am doing this sometimes 4 -1 am doing this most of the time 5 -1 am doing this all of the time Beginning End What is your comfort level with your knowledge of financial terms and concepts? 2.3 4.2 What is your comfort level with applying your knowledge into financial behavior? 2.8 3.9 Not Comfortable...............Very Comfortable 1 2 3 4 5 Changes you have made or plan to make in your financial practices spending plan budgeting savings save, even if it's little teach my son to save a penny per day so he can have good money by the time he goes to college opened a checking & savings account writing down goals checking my spending goal setting writing pay schedule dates make a budget added spreadsheet to manage finances spend less talk to a credit counselor stop smoking cigarettes write down expenses put money into savings think before I buy Have you shared what you learned with others? How many? spouse & family 3 husband & friends 6 2 cousins & a friend 3 co-workers & friends 4 family & friends 10 friends & kids 5 my kids friends 6 Total 37 Comments/Suggestions All of my friends want to participate in coming programs It was a great opportunity to learn. great program that provided great insight on how to amnage money, prioritize goals and learn more about banking. The presenters were knowledgeable of each subject and provided clear and concise instructions. I have learned a lot about managing my money better great program! North Liberty Financial Practice Avg Score Write down and prioritize financial goals that are realistic and 3.4 meaureable Discuss goals with spouse and/or family members 2.7 Identify first steps needed to reach your goals 3.3 Learn strategies for bringing income and expenses into balance 3.5 Follow your spending plan 3.5 Pay bills on time 4.2 Open checking and savings account at a bank or credit union 4.3 Learn about and obtain employer and public benefits available to you 3.8 Reduce Debt 3.5 Establish a good debt repayment history 3.6 Use a filing system for financial records 2.7 Resist financial offers that are too good to be true 3.8 Save regularly to achieve your goals 4.1 1 - I am not considering this 2 -1 am considering this 3 - I am doing this sometimes 4 - I am doin this most of the time 5 -1 am doing this all of the time Beginning End What is your comfort level with your knowledge of financial terms and concepts? 2.9 3.9 What is your comfort level with applying your knowledge into financial behavior? 3 3.9 Not Comfortable...............Very Comfortable 1 2 3 4 5 Changes you have made or plan to make in your financial practices Better flexible spending Regain full-time employment Walk all distances < 3 miles Bring my own coffee to class instead of McDonald's Try to increase income Follow goals Keep track of my spending. Monthly budget eat at home/out to eat less take lunch to work to save $$$ Keep track of spending. Budgeting better better tracking where money is going investigating and asking financial questions picked up a second job go through all bills evaluate my daily/monthly spending to obtain and keep an account manage money better develop a better plan reduce spending increase income keeping track of how much my bills are and what we spend looking back on this in the future and I will use it all of the time learned more about that I did not know about organize investments organize retirement trying to control impulse spending write down all expenses & income get a job following a spending calendar seeking financial advice making a budget plan evaluating my current goals use a calendar write down all expenses I will try to save so in case I need in emergency Use a calendar & budget system I will try to sit down with my husband to review our expenses I will begin to save money at the beginning of the month Have you shared what you learned with others? How many? Former Shelter Residents 3 Former Spouse 1 Family & Friends 7 Classmates & Friends 3 Daughter 1 People I work with 4 husband 1 my mom & my friend Tiffany 2 my son & family 7 clients 2 my aunt & uncle n& friends 4 husband & kids 7 mother 1 Family & Friends 5 Classmates & Friends 10 son & daughter-in-law 2 husband & sister 2 Total 62 Comments/Suggestions I enjoyed the class, it gave me a lot of needed information. Good job to the United Way & MidWestOne for coming together on this, it was well appreciated. I learned that I need to change things and do a better job monitoring expenses. Scott and Davit were great and explained many ways to help me manage my money. Reinforced my desire to save money and budget better. Learned a lot, the teachers are the best! I think that the program was very helpful and resourceful in learning to help me better my financial situations. I thought this program was well run. I will be more diligent about improving my financial position. I am feeling more confident now. You should ave another class so that people that don't live in Johnson County can attend it to cause I know someone who would love to take the class and that the information would help them out a lot cause the need to the know how to save and more information about it. I recently was disabled and let go from my job. I have so much financial papers to organize. This will help me so much to understand what I'm doing. I came away with a positive attitude, better morale and get into savings. I think the last 2 classes were the most informative. This class help me look at my banking branch and really evaluate the benefits of the financial institution. I know this class will help me. think for future classes it would be valuable to interview the people who are in the class. There is an important need for education, but there is an equally important need for a basic level of socially acceptable behavior. Otherwise, it was great! How School Segregation Divides Ferguson -- and the United States - NYTimes.com FROM THE CITY MANAGER http://nyti.ms/lDRt5UJ SundayReview I NEWS ANALYSIS Page 1 of 6 How School Segregation Divides Ferguson and the United States By NIKOLE HANNAH -JONES DEC. 19, 2014 ON Aug. 1, five students in satiny green -and -red robes and mortarboards waited in an elementary school classroom to hear their names called as graduates of Normandy High School. This ceremony, held months after the official graduation, was mostly for students who had been short of credits in May. One of those new graduates was Michael Brown. He was 18, his mother's oldest son. He had been planning to start college in September. Eight days later, he was dead, killed in the streets of nearby Ferguson, Mo., by a white police officer in a shooting that ignited angry protests and a painful national debate about race, policing and often elusive justice. Many news reports after Mr. Brown's death noted his graduation and his college plans. The implication was that these scholarly achievements magnified the sorrow. But if Michael Brown's educational experience was a success story, it was a damning one. The Normandy school district is among the poorest and most segregated in Missouri. It ranks last in overall academic performance. Its rating on an annual state assessment was so dismal that by the time Mr. Brown graduated the district had lost its state accreditation. About half of black male students at Normandy High never graduate. Just one in four graduates makes it to a four-year college. The college where Mr. Brown was headed is a for-profit trade school that recruits those it once described in internal documents as "Unemployed, Underpaid, Unsatisfied, Unskilled, Unprepared, Unsupported, Unmotivated, Unhappy, Underserved!" Just five miles down the road from Normandy lies Clayton, the wealthy county seat where a grand jury recently deliberated the fate of Darren Wilson, the officer http:llwww.nytimes.com/2014/ 12/21lsunday-reviewlwliy-are-our-schools-still-segregated.html?r... 12/22/2014 How School Segregation Divides Ferguson -- and the United States - NYTimes.com Page 2 of 6 who killed Mr. Brown. Success there looks very different. The Clayton public schools are predominantly white, with almost no poverty to speak of. The district is regularly ranked in the top xo percent in the state. More than 96 percent of its students graduate. Eighty-four percent head to four-year universities. Decades of public and private housing discrimination made St. Louis one of the most racially segregated metropolitan area's in the country. A network of school district boundaries has, to this day, divided students in racially separate schools as effectively as any Jim Crow law. Michael Brown's education was not exceptional, then, but all too typical, and it illustrates the vast disparity in resources and expectations for black children in America's segregated school systems. As hundreds of school districts across the nation have been released from court - enforced integration over the past iS years, the number of what researchers call "apartheid schools" — in which the white population is i percent or less — has shot up. The achievement gap, narrowed during the height of school integration, has widened. According to data compiled by the Department of Education, black and Latino children nationwide are the least likely to be taught by a qualified, experienced teacher; to be offered courses such as chemistry and calculus; or to have access to technology. "American schools are disturbingly racially segregated — period," Catherine Lhamon, head of the Education Department's civil rights office, said in a speech in October. Since Aug. g, the day Mr. Brown's lifeless body lay for hours under a hot summer sun, St. Louis County has come to illustrate the country's racial fault lines in police conduct and the criminalization of black youth. But most black youth will not die at the hands of the police. They share the fate that was already Michael Brown's. IN 1954, when the United States Supreme Court rejected the notion of separate but equal schools in its Brown v. Board of Education decision, St. Louis ran the second-largest segregated school district in the country. After the ruling, school officials promised to integrate voluntarily. But the acceleration of white flight and the redrawing of school district lines around black and white neighborhoods allowed metropolitan St. Louis to preserve its racial divide. htip:llwww.nytimes.com/2014/l 2/2l lsunday-review/why-are-our-schools-still-segregated.html?r... 12/22/2014 How School Segregation Divides Ferguson — and the United States - NYTimes.com Page 3 of 6 Nearly 30 years later, 90 percent of black children in St. Louis still attended predominantly black schools. In 1983, a federal judge ordered a desegregation plan for the entire metropolitan area. At its peak, some 15,000 St. Louis public school students a year attended 16 heavily white suburban districts. Another 1,300 white students headed in the opposite direction to 27 new magnet schools in St. Louis. The program left another 15,000 of St. Louis's black students in segregated, inferior schools. But for the transfer students who rode buses out of the city, the plan successfully broke the deeply entrenched connection between race, ZIP code and opportunity. Test scores for eighth- and loth -grade transfer students rose. The transfer students were more likely to graduate and go on to college. In surveys, white students overwhelmingly said they had benefited from the opportunity to be educated alongside black students. The St. Louis model was heralded as the nation's most successful metropolitan desegregation program. But from the moment it started, the St. Louis desegregation plan was under assault. The cost would eventually reach $1.7 billion. In 1999 the program was made entirely voluntary. Today, about 5,000 students get to escape the troubles of the St. Louis public schools — a small fraction of the number who apply for the privilege of doing so. Incorporated in 1945, Normandy became a destination for St. Louis's fleeing white working class. Nedra Martin's family was among the black strivers who began to make their way to Normandy in the 1970s. Ms. Martin, who still lives in Normandy and works in human resources at Walmart, said her parents settled in the town in 1975. They both worked in government jobs — her dad was a welder for the city, her mom an aide in a state group home. But as black families like the Martins moved in, "For Sale" signs went up and whites fled to new exurbs. After 1970, black enrollment in the Normandy schools exploded, more than doubling within eight years to 6,20o. By 1978, only St. Louis itself enrolled more black students than Normandy. For years, Normandy's schools struggled to meet minimum state requirements for student achievement. Then, in 2009, the state decided that the Normandy school district would absorb the ailing Wellston school district. http://www.nytimes.coml20l 4l12/21lsunday-review/why-are-our-schools-still-segregated.html?r... 12/22/2014 How School Segregation Divides Ferguson — and the United States - NYTimes.com Page 4 of 6 Wellston was also high -poverty, and Missouri's only loo percent black school system. State officials had called conditions in Wellston's schools "deplorable" and "academically abusive." But its students were not sent to the high -performing, mostly white districts nearby. Michael Jones, a state board of education official, was blunt about the reason: "You'd have had a civil war." BY the time Michael Brown was a high school junior, he had spent most of his educational career in racially segregated and financially disadvantaged schools. Behind in credits, he entered Normandy High in the spring of 2013. The state's most recent assessment of Normandy's schools was spectacularly bleak: Out of Missouri's 520 school districts, Normandy, among the state's poorest and 98 percent black, was marooned at the very bottom. But last year, the Normandy district was thrown an unlikely lifeline. Its schools had failed so badly that the state had formally stripped it of its accreditation. And the Missouri State Supreme Court had just upheld a state law allowing students in unaccredited districts to transfer to accredited ones. Nedra Martin, had a daughter stuck in Normandy's failing schools. Just like that, the state's decision erased the invisible, impenetrable lines of segregation that had trapped her child. "I was elated," Ms. Martin said. "Just elated." Parents in the school district that had to take Normandy's students — Francis Howell, an 85 percent white district 26 miles away — were not. Officials there held a public forum to address community concerns. More than 2,500 parents packed into the high school gym. Would the district install metal detectors? What about the violence their children would be subjected to, an elementary school parent asked. Wouldn't test scores plummet? The issue wasn't about race, one parent said, "but trash." Mah'Ria Pruitt -Martin, a rising eighth grader, was sitting in the audience that night with her mother. Hers was one of the few brown faces there, and the girl said she'wiped away tears. "It made me heartbroken because they were putting us in a box," Mah'Ria said. "I was sitting there thinking, `Would you want some other parents talking about your kid that way?"' http://www.nytimes.com/2014ll 2/21lsunday-review/why-are-our-schools-still-segregated.html?r... 12/22/201.4 How School Segregation Divides Ferguson -- and the United States - NYTimes.com Page 5 of 6 In the fall of 2013, nearly 1,000 Normandy students — about a quarter of the district's enrollment — switched to schools in accredited districts. More than 400 headed to Francis Howell. Mah'Ria said that she was, in fact, welcomed into her new middle school by students and teachers. Despite the fears, recently released state data show that with the exception of one district, test scores in the transfer schools did not drop. But there was a cruel twist. The state required any failing district whose students were allowed to transfer to pay the costs of their education in the adjoining districts. The payments drained Normandy's finances. Normandy closed a school and laid off 40 percent of its staff. "In order to save the district, they killed the district," said John Wright, who spent stints as superintendent in both St. Louis and Normandy. The state then announced that it was taking over the Normandy Public Schools district and reconstituting it as the Normandy Schools Collaborative. As a new educational entity, the district got a clean slate. It no longer was unaccredited, but operated as a "state oversight district." The transfer law, the state claimed, no longer applied. One by one, transfer districts announced that Normandy children were no longer welcome. Ms. Martin and other parents sued, asserting that the state had no legal authority to reconstitute the district to change its accreditation status. On Aug. 15, after the school year had begun in some districts, a state judge granted a temporary injunction allowing the plaintiffs to enroll their children in the transfer districts. "Every day a student attends an unaccredited school," the judge wrote, the child "could suffer harm that cannot be repaired." The state is fighting the ruling, but most school districts have reopened their doors to the transfer students. When asked whether black children in Missouri were receiving an equal education, Commissioner Chris Nicastro, the state's top education official, paused, then inhaled deeply. "Do I think black children in Missouri are getting in all cases the same education as their white counterparts?" Ms. Nicastro said. "I'd have to say no." STUDENTS who spend their careers in segregated schools can look forward to a life on the margins, according to a 2014 study on the long-term impacts of school desegregation by Rucker C. Johnson, an economist at the University of California, Berkeley. They are more likely to be poor. They are more likely to go to jail. They are http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/21 /sunday-review/why-are-our-schools-still-segregated.html?r... 12/22/2014 How School Segregation Divides Ferguson — and the United States - NYTimes.com Page 6 of 6 less likely to graduate from high school, to go to college, or to finish if they go. They are more likely to live in segregated neighborhoods as adults. Their children are more likely to attend segregated schools, repeating the cycle. "You know how hard it was for me to get him to stay in school and graduate?" Michael Brown's mother, Lesley McSpadden, cried on the August day he died. "You know how many black men graduate? Not many." Michael Brown was buried in the old St. Peter's Cemetery. It lies next to Normandy High School. Correction: December 19, 2014 Art earlier version of the picture caption with this article referred incorrectly to the location of Francis Howell School District. It is in St. Charles County, in the St. Louis suburbs, not in St. Louis County. Nikole Hannah -Jones is a reporter at ProPublica. This is an excerpt from a longer article published by ProPublica. Tell us about your everyday experiences with segregation by tweeting your stories and photos with #Segregation.Is @NYTUpinion and adding your comments on Facebook. A version of this news analysis appears in print on December 21, 2014, on page SR4 of the New York edition with the headline: How School Segregation Divides Ferguson --- and the United States. © 2014 The New York Times Company http://www.nytimes.coml20l 4/12/21lsunday-review/why-are-our-schools-still-segregated.html?r... 12/22/2014 CITY OF IOWA CITY 410 East Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52210-1826 (3 19) 356-5000 (319) 356-5009 FAX www.icgov.org December 18, 2014 TO: The Honorable Mayor and the City Council RE: Civil Service Entrance Examination — MAINTENANCE OPERATOR - WATER Under the authority of the Civil Service Commission of Iowa City, Iowa, I do hereby certify the following named person(s) as eligible for the position of Maintenance Operator — Water. Robert Wehmeyer IOWA CITY CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION Lyra . Dickerson, Chair r _ - IP5 CITY OF IOWA CITY 410 East Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240-1826 (319) 356-5000 (319) 356-5009 FAX www.icgov.org December 17, 2014 TO: The Honorable Mayor and the City Council RE: Civil Service Entrance Examination — MAINTENANCE WORKER II - STREETS Under the authority of the Civil Service Commission of Iowa City, Iowa, I do hereby certify the following named person(s) as eligible for the position of Maintenance Worker II - Streets. Bob Conley IOWA CITY CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION Lyra W. Dickerson, Chair 12-23-14 E Marian Karr IP6 From: Wagner, Laura [DNR] <Laura.Wagner@dnr.iowa.gov> Sent: Monday, December 22, 2014 3:54 PM To: knavratil@ci.algona.ia.us; sschainker@city.ames.ia.us; City Anamosa; djones@ankenyiowa.gov; dougharris@mediacombb.net; Inelson@city.boone.ia.us; citymanager@burlingtoniowa.org; gclausen@cityofcarroll.com; richard.mcalister@cedarfalls.com; citymanager@cedar-rapids.org; cityhall@centerville-ia.org; steven.diers@cityofcharlescity.org; deikmeieradm@cherokeeiowa.net; slawrenceflory@netins.net; dhenderson@cityofclive.com; khayworth@ci.coralville.ia.us; cityadministrator@crestoniowa.gov; ctm@ci. davenport. ia. us; citymanager@decorahia.org; citymanager@denisonia.com; citymanager@dmgov.org; cdadmin@gmtel.net; citymanager@decorahia.org; citymanager@decorahia.org; p.clayton@cityofestherville.org; cityadmin@fairfieldcityhall.com; dfierke@fortdodgeiowa.org; bsmith@fortmadison-ia.com; Cityadmin@cityofglenwood.org; City Grimes; rbehrens@grinnelliowa.gov; City Harlan; City Independence; ehanson@cityofindianola.com; Tom Markus; jsanders@cityofjohnston.com; bbarnes@cityofkeokuk.org; slangel@lemarsiowa.com; tvick@manchester-ia.org; magcity@maquoketaia.com; Ipluckhahn@cityofmarion.org; rwetmore@ci.marshal ltown.ia.us; Brent Trout; City Mount Pleasant; gmandsager@muscatineiowa.gov; ehansen@midiowa.net; bobk@newtongov.org; Ryan Heiar; moliver@norwalk.iowa.gov; jletzring@cityofoelwein.org; City Orange City; helfenberger@ci.ottumwa.ia.us; mnardini@cityofpella.com; butch.niebuhr@perryia.org; dsandor@pleasanthilliowa.org; City Red Oak; City Sioux Center; bpadmore@sioux-city.org; bfagen@smunet.net; Patrick@stormlake.org; ajohnson@urbandale.org; jhorne@vintoniowa.net; bhinson@washingtoniowa.net; tmoerman@waukee.org; Tom.Hadden@wdm.iowa.gov; wintersetch@aol.com; bklein@adeliowa.org; albiacity@iowatelecom.net; alent@carlisleiowa.org; City Chariton; mmichel@cityofdyersville.com; admin@garneriowa.org; rdunt@hamptonia.us; jhaldeman@huxleyiowa.org; echoate@leclaireiowa.gov; gmahannah@polkcity.org; Imcnaul@lcom.net; jfiegenschuh@windsorheights.org Cc: rmcenroe@ci.algona.ia.us; rpierce@altoona-iowa.com; dvoss@city.ames.ia.us; tcoons@mchsi.com; pdemouth@ankenyiowa.gov; debfield@mchsi.com; dploehn@bettendorf.org; salisburyk@burlingtoniowa.org; Ischaefer@cityofcarroll.com; Jennifer.Rodenbeck@cedarfalls.com; cityclerk@cedar-rapids.org; trudy@cityofcharlescity.org; cityckech@evertek.net; ciclerk@netins.net; patvanloo@cityofclintoniowa.us; tjohnson@ci.coralville.ia.us; cityclerk@crestoniowa.gov; jet@ci.davenport. ia.us; hemesath@decorahia.org; lisak@denisonia.com; CityClerk@dmgov.org; cdclerk@gmtel.net; City Dubuque; b.burton@cityofestherville.org; jnemmers@fortdodgeiowa.org; mblind@fortmadison-ia.com; cityclerk@cityofglenwood.org; rwilliams@ci.grimes.ia.us; bbarber@ci.grimes.ia.us; kcmelik@grinnelliowa.gov; Sue@ci.harlan.ia.us; cityadmin@hiawatha-iowa.com; CityClerk@indytel.com; Marian Karr; janderson@cityofiowafalls.com; crhames@cityofjohnston.com; bbarnes@cityofkeokuk.org; cityclerk@knoxvilleia.gov; blangel@lemarsiowa.com; elearn@manchester-ia.ofg; jcarr@maquoketaia.com; dfrandsen@maquoketaia.com; wnelson@cityofmarion.org; clerk@ci.marshalltown.ia.us; flo1@iowatelecom.net- kwright@midiowa.net; katrinad@newtongov.org; City North Liberty; jrosien@norwalk.iowa.gov; cityclerk@orangecityiowa.com; rbrown@cityofpella.com; dspooner@pleasanthilliowa.org; redoakcity@mchsi.com; Imccardle@sioux-city.org; dmains@urbandale.org; cindy@vintoniowa.net; suzy.schares@waterloo-ia.org; bschuett@waukee.org; evansdaleclerk@Mchsi.com; clerk@garneriowa.org; NHCITYCLERK@WINDSTREAM.NET; ahill@altoon-iowa.com; centervillewwt@hotmail.com; Charly stevens; tomkrogman@ci.clinton.ia.us; John Batt; dajahn@dmgov.org; City Grimes; City Hiawatha; Lanny McManigal; Joe & Marde McConnell; Dahl, Andrew D; Kent Harfst Subject: 2015 Trees For Kids Tree Planting Grant application & Project Learning Tree registration Attachments: Site based project wksp reg 1 2015 (2).pdf; TFK Nurseryletterspecs.pdf; Trees For Kids Grant instructions.doc; Trees ForKidsAppl ication201 5. docx Hello All — I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to apply for the Trees For Kids grant to plant 50 trees on your public property in spring or fall of 2015. Attached are the 2015 Trees For Kids Application documents. I will be happy to visit the potential planting site and give recommendations for species and planting locations, as well as assist with grant application questions. They grant documents also available on our website at http://www.iowadnr.gov/Enviromnent/Forestry/tJrbanForestly.aspx The trees can be planted on any public grounds: parks, right of ways, schools, cemeteries, etc. If you have applied before, there are a few changes this year that I will outline below. If you haven't applied for this grant before, and would like more information, feel free to give me a call, and I will be happy to discuss it with you. Entities planting in the fall may submit their grant in March if they would like to know their award status early Applicants can receive additional 15 points by utilizing root -pruning containers for some of their stock We have removed Fringetree and Japanese tree lilac from the approved list due to EAB susceptibility (Fringetree) and until further studies are done for lilac Some things that will remain the some • Schools, public entities, and NGO's may apply • We are providing no -cost Project Learning Tree Training to all grant applicants. The January Training registration is attached. • Planting must be done on public property or any school grounds • Grant is for containerized trees no larger than #7 so that youth can safely plant • Grant is for $1,000 - $5,000 for trees and mulch — usually not more than 50 trees • Grant applicant will need to complete an i -tree design for their project to calculate impacts • Youth must be involved in planting We are currently setting up site visits for January and February, so please call or e-mail if you are interested. Have a great Holiday! PLEASE NOTE: Effective Monday, November 24, 2014, my phone number has changed to 515-725- 8456 and FAX number will be 515-725-8201 LAURA WAGNER Operation ReLeaf/Trees for Kids Coordinator MR Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Forestry Bureau P 515-725-8456 1 laura.wa er ,dnr.iowa.gov Wallace S WWW.IOWADNR.GOV Leading Iowans in Caring for Our Natural Resources. 19 JOHNSON COUNTY IOWA CRIMINAL JUSTICE COORDINATING COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES • OCTOBER 1, 2014 Conference Rooms 203 BIC Committee Meeting 4:30 PM HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES BUILDING 855 SOUTH DUBUQUE STREET IOWA CITY, IA 52240 PHONE: 319-356-6000 www.JOHNSON-COUNTY.com www.JOHNSONCOUNTYIA.IQM2.com CRIMINAL JUSTICE COORDINATING COMMITTEE MEETING A. CALLED TO ORDER AT 4:30 PM Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee Members present: Supervisor John Etheredge, Supervisor Pat Harney, Supervisor Terrence Neuzil, Supervisor Janelle Rettig, and Supervisor Rod Sullivan, Coralville Chief of Police Barry Bedford, MECCA Director Ron Berg, Iowa City City Council Member Kingsley Botchway I1, Community Representative Simone Frierson, Bar Association Representative James McCarragher, County Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek, and Solon Resident Diane Werzer; Department of Corrections Supervisor Jerri Allen arrived at 4:54 p.m. Absent: Iowa City Crime Prevention Officer Jorey Bailey, Community Representative Karen Fesler, Iowa City Public Library Adult Service Coordinator Kara Logsden, County Attorney Janet Lyness, Bar Association Representative Thomas Maxwell, University of Iowa Student Representative Evan McCarthy, North Liberty City Council Member David Moore, State Public Defender's Managing Attorney Peter Persaud, Sixth Judicial District Judge Douglas Russell, Community Representative Professor Emeritus John Stratton, and Consultation of Religious Communities Representative Dorothy Whiston. Staff present: Board of Supervisors Executive Assistant Andy Johnson and Auditor's Office Administrative Secretary Kymberly Zomermaand. B. COMMITTEE BUSINESS 1. Update and direction regarding addressing the needs of the Courthouse, including but not limited to: design of a courthouse annex, cost estimate, bond referendum, vacation of Harrison Street, public education and outreach and other related issues Neuzil reported that he and County Attorney Janet Lyness attended the Johnson County League of Women Voters Ballot Issues Forum this week. They provided an update and answered constituent concerns about the Courthouse Annex bond referendum and the local option sales tax. McCarragher gave an update on the Courthouse tour schedule and other public outreach information meetings, events, and articles in the paper. McCarragher, Neuzil, and Rettig reported on the September public information meetings. Johnson County Iowa Page 1 Minutes Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee October 1, 2014 Deputy Auditor of Elections Kingsley Botchway II reported that the Auditor's Office has received almost 2,000 voted ballots since September 25th. Board of Supervisors' Candidate Mike Carberry spoke about a postcard he received in the mail with publicity against the Courthouse annex bond referendum. Neuzil confirmed that others received the postcard too and he clarified that the Courthouse annex building does not include a jail. Frierson inquired if the Board is willing to hold more public input or information meetings. McCarragher and Rettig said if residents ask, then yes. Executive Assistant Andy Johnson showed the Courthouse annex video created by Neumann Monson Architects. Sullivan left at 4:42 p.m. McCarragher, Botchway, and Former University of Iowa Facilities Manager Larry Wilson recommended the Board make a few edits before making it available to the public. 2. Update and direction regarding addressing the needs of the Jail, including but not limited to plans and process for necessary repair and maintenance projects and other related issues Johnson provided an update on the Jail Upgrade project process and timeline. 3. Reports and updates from subcommittees Botchway noted that the Disproportionate Minority Contact Subcommittee discussed a three part strategy regarding disproportionate minorities which included: examining criminal justice models that address minority disparity, speaking to police departments about what data is collected, and, examining data on marijuana arrests. 4. Additional comments from Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee members The next meeting is scheduled November 5, 2014 at 4:30 p.m. C. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC - No one from the public spoke. D. ADJOURNED AT 5:01 PM Johnson County Iowa Page 2 JOHNSON COUNTY IOWA CRIMINAL JUSTICE COORDINATING COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES • NOVEMBER 5, 2014 Second Floor Boardroom Committee Meeting 4:30 PM JOHNSON COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING 913 SOUTH DUBUQUE STREET IOWA CITY, IA 52240 PHONE: 319-356-6000 www.JOHNSON-COUNTY.com www.JOHNSONCOUNTYIA.IQM2.com CRIMINAL JUSTICE COORDINATING COMMITTEE MEETING A. CALLED TO ORDER AT 4:31 PM Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee Members present: Department of Corrections Supervisor Jerri Allen, Coralville Chief of Police Barry Bedford, Iowa City City Council Member Kingsley Botchway II, Supervisor Pat Harney, Iowa City Public Library Adult Service Coordinator Kara Logsden, County Attorney Janet Lyness, Bar Association Representative James McCarragher, Supervisor Terrence Neuzil, Supervisor Janelle Rettig, Supervisor Rod Sullivan, Solon Resident Diane Werzer, and Consultation of Religious Communities Representative Dorothy Whiston; Absent: Supervisor John Etheredge, Iowa City Crime Prevention Officer Jorey Bailey, MECCA Director Ron Berg, Coralville Resident Karen Fesler, Iowa City Resident Simone Frierson, Bar Association Representative Thomas Maxwell, University of Iowa Student Representative Evan McCarthy, North Liberty City Council Member David Moore, State Public Defender's Managing Attorney Peter Persaud, County Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek, Judge Douglas Russell, Citizen Representative Professor Emeritus John Stratton. Staff present: Board of Supervisors Executive Assistant Andy Johnson and Auditor's Office Administrative Secretary Kymberly Zomermaand. B. COMMITTEE BUSINESS 1. Update and direction regarding addressing the needs of the Courthouse, including but not limited to: design of a courthouse annex, cost estimate, bond referendum, vacation of Harrison Street, public education and outreach and other related issues Neuzil reviewed the election results for the Courthouse Annex Bond Referendum. He summarized the conversation the Board had with County Attorney Janet Lyness and County Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek regarding how to improve space, safety, and security at the Courthouse. Rettig said the Board is now forced to make short term and intermediate plans to cope with these problems. Neuzil said the Board will need to immediately address security. Johnson County Iowa Page 1 Minutes Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee November 5, 2014 The Board noted ideas they previously discussed such as secure entrances on the south side of the Courthouse, temporary mobile "classrooms," or to move the Courthouse to another location. Bar Association Representative James McCarragher said the Courthouse is already congested and he spoke against adding additional security space or rooms inside of the Courthouse. Rettig spoke about previously budgeted funds for the Courthouse and what the Board will pursue with those funds. Department of Corrections Supervisor Jerri Allen said the County will need to take another approach and address the issue from a different perspective by talking to State of Iowa officials about the supermajority issue. She provided ideas such as a partnership with local communities for building and cost sharing. Neuzil noted the County will continue to pursue the vacation of Harrison Street. Consultation of Religious Communities Representative Dorothy Whiston said the referendum results suggest a widening dissatisfaction with how the criminal justice system works in the United States of America; there is dissatisfaction at the local level as well. Whiston suggested community service providers, law enforcement officials, and others collaborate to envision how criminal justice should function, communicate with local police, and ultimately change how things operate within the system. Reverend Bob Welsh reiterated the lack of public trust in the criminal justice system Iowa City City Council Member Kingsley Botchway II suggested surveying the public for input on these matters. Neuzil said according to Iowa Code, if a city and county form a Joint Authority, that becomes the governing entity, and a bond referendum would require only a 50% majority vote instead of a supermajority. 2. Update and direction regarding addressing the needs of the Jail, including but not limited to plans and process for necessary repair and maintenance projects and other related issues Neuzil noted that the Board is in the bidding process for the Jail Security Improvement project. He said the lowest bid, which the Board expects to approve this week, was less than the estimated costs and the extra funds may be used to upgrade the lights and elevator. 3. Reports and updates from subcommittees Whiston said that a fellow at the Haas Institute at University of California Berkeley, is helping to form a national coalition of governmental entities that will work on racial equity initiatives. Whiston said she will pursue more specifics about who performs the racial equity impact analysis and who are the local experts in criminal justice. Johnson County Iowa Page 2 Minutes Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee November 5, 2014 Whiston said the Adult Disproportionate Minority Contact Subcommittee (Subcommittee) received a proposal for $30,000 from the National Council on Crime and Delinquency (Council) to design an ongoing strategy for racial equity work. Whiston said she will speak with the Council about reduced rates for their services. She said the Subcommittee is in contact with The Sentencing Project. A manual on how to conduct racial equity work in the criminal justice systems is available for review. 4. Additional comments from Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee members Whiston announced that a workshop on The New Jim Crow -- Mass Incarceration in an Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander is scheduled November 8th at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Iowa City. C. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC - no one from the public spoke D. ADJOURNED AT 5:23 PM Attest: Travis Weipert, Auditor Recorded By Kymberly Zomermaand Johnson County Iowa Page 3 0 MINUTES PRELIMINARY CITY COUNCIL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE DECEMBER 8, 2014 EMMA HARVAT HALL, CITY HALL, 8:00 A.M. Members Present: Susan Mims, Michelle Payne, Matt Hayek Staff Present: Wendy Ford, Jeff Davidson, Geoff Fruin, Tom Markus, Tracy Hightshoe Others Present: Kevin Munson, Kent Jehle, Mike Hahn RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: Hayek moved to recommend to the City Council the requested financial assistance for Sabin Townhomes, per staff recommendation. Payne seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0. CALL MEETING TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Mims at 8:03 A.M. She asked that those present please identify themselves. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Payne stated that she had a couple of corrections. The first is under Recommendations to Council. She noted that the second recommendation does not include the developer's name. The words "for Iowa City Marketplace" will be added to the recommendation where it appears in both places in the minutes. Next was a typo on page 6, first paragraph. The word "one" should be "on." Hayek moved to approve the minutes as amended. M7ns seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL FOR A REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR SABIN TOWNHOUSES: Davidson stated that this project may look familiar to Members as they heard about it previously when it was discussed in conjunction with a parking facility in the Linn Street area. Continuing, Davidson noted that A & M Development LLC is proposing a project that consists of 28 townhomes located at Dubuque and Harrison Streets in the Riverfront Crossings' district and that it is part of a larger master plan that has already begun and includes the new Midwest One office building and a 610 -parking space facility lined with 28 townhomes on the east and south facades. Davidson emphasized that the project under consideration at this meeting today is only the townhomes part of the master plan. He talked about the necessity to build the parking structure and the condominiums at the same time, because they are essentially a single building that will be demised into a condominium regime. The City will first lease and later own the parking facility, which will be built together with the townhomes. Davidson noted that the office building and the skywalk, which will connect the office building to the parking ramp, are not be part of the condominium regime, although they, too, are part of the same master plan. The residential townhomes will be individually leased or owned. City Council Economic Development Committee December 8, 2014 Page 2 of 4 Davidson noted that the site will be a cleared before the City becomes involved. He explained the contractual arrangement that relates to the School of Music project, between Midwest One Bank and the University of Iowa. Davidson stated that the cost of the townhomes' project is $6,986,549, with a TIF financing request of $976,277. This project has been through the NDC gap analysis, and Tom Jackson has agreed to be on hand for a phone call during the meeting, should the Committee request it. Davidson added that they are in the process arranging to have three of the townhome units become part of the Iowa City Housing Fellowship's affordable rental housing portfolio. He stated that Hightshoe wanted him to emphasize that they are still working on the idea, which has not been presented to the ICHF board yet. Davidson stated that the proposed townhomes will introduce a new housing type for Riverfront Crossings. The townhomes are expected to appeal to all, from young professionals and graduate students to retirees. They are designed to be townhomes and not apartments, as there are no common areas within the building. Each unit will have a front door onto the street. Davidson stated that the site has been in public ownership and therefore has been tax exempt for decades. This will be a big plus with the full property tax revenue expected to be around $122,000 a year, of which the TIF increment would be approximately $85,000. This would factor to an 11.4 -year TIF rebate, according to Davidson. After the rebate period, the full property taxes will accrue to the taxing entities. Mims asked for confirmation that the difference between the $122,000 and the $85,000 is the protected debt levy which will flow to the City, the County, and the School District beginning in year one. Payne stated that while reviewing the documents, she noticed that the financial gap is actually being shown as a revenue stream. She questioned this, stating that it looks like they are giving the developer $976,000. Davidson stated that is the request, in the form of a TIF rebate. This is how the financial gap is represented but is typically referred to as one of the Sources of Funds in a project and corresponds to the Uses of Funds in the financing description. He added that the gap is presented as a financial component of the project. Davidson continued, noting that staff finds the project to be consistent with the Council's adopted strategic plan, and more specifically healthy neighborhoods, creating a strong urban core, and economic development activities. The project is also consistent with the Riverfront Crossings Master Plan, and is believed to be one that will help to continue the efforts that have already begun in this district. With respect to the Economic Development policies, Davidson noted that the project will have high-quality architecture and site design and energy efficiency and sustainability features. Davidson noted that the heating and cooling units will be energy efficient, and there will be low - flow plumbing fixtures. He also noted that the exterior cladding is a recycled product of the rice milling industry. Davidson continued through the goals and objectives of the plan, summarizing that A & M Development has requested the financial assistance to fill the gap in the project in the amount of $976,277 in the form of a 11.4 -year rebate. The estimated construction expense of the entire development, including the office building and parking facility, is slightly more than $30 million, according to Davidson. Staff recommendation is therefore that the Economic Development Committee recommend to the City Council approval of the TIF rebate, not to exceed $976,277. Davidson stated that the developer is present to answer questions. Hayek asked Davidson to repeat the tax revenue during the 11.4 -year period and then what is anticipated after this timeframe. Davidson responded that the tax revenue is approximately $122,000 a year, from the townhomes only. Additional property taxes would be generated from the adjacent office building. Of the $122,000 from the townhomes, the TIF increment would be $85,000. Davidson noted that the three units that will be owned by the Housing Fellowship and City Council Economic Development Committee December 8, 2014 Page 3 of 4 will be tax exempt and that is figured into the tax analysis. Payne noted that it appears to her that with the affordable housing units priced at $190,000 each, we would be subsidizing $77,000 of that. Davidson agreed the point needed further explanation and later provided clarification that "for sale" units, such as the affordable units in the project, DO create a wider gap for the project development because they do not provide the ongoing revenue stream potential that "for rent" units do on the proforma. Hayek asked about the owner -occupied versus rental unit housing market. Davidson noted that the rental market is becoming stronger. Typically owner -occupied was thought to mean `permanent.' However, the market is changing and there is a strong demand for rental units. Davidson stated that rental units for the non -student population are becoming larger segment of the market. Hayek noted that he will be supportive of this. He did note his concern that someone would buy one of these units and then turn around and rent it to students. Discussion ensued. Hayek moved to recommend to the City Council the requested financial assistance for Sabin Townhomes, per staff recommendation. Payne seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0. SET NEXT CITY COUNCIL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE DATE: Davidson stated that they have another issue they had hoped to get on this meeting's agenda but were unable. Ford noted that they are looking at another date in December, if possible, as the developer is wanting to move forward. Payne stated that she will be in Denver the last two weeks of December. Davidson asked that Members look at the first few weeks in January and let him know of any possible dates. Markus suggested they try for noon on Monday, January 12, 2015 and Members agreed. STAFF UPDATES: Davidson spoke briefly to the height bonus issue they recently reviewed. He also noted the possible new site for New Pioneer Co -Op and The Chauncey project, and how these will be moving forward. The Court -Linn site is another project in the wings. COMMITTEE TIME: None. OTHER BUSINESS: None. ADJOURNMENT: Payne moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:34 A.M. Hayek seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. City Council Economic Development Committee December 8, 2014 Page 4 of 4 Council Economic Development Committee ATTENDANCE RECORD 2013-2014 NAME TERM EXP. 0 0 0 o Oa. -4 c N W W W A A A A A Michelle Payne 01/02/16 X X X X X X X X Matt Hayek 01/02/16 X X X X X X X X Susan Mims 01/02/16 X X X X X X X X Key: X = Present O = Absent O/E = Absent/Excused a MINUTES PRELIMINARY HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION DECEMBER 11, 2014 EMMA HARVAT HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Kent Ackerson, Thomas Agran, Esther Baker, Kate Corcoran, Frank Durham, Andrew Litton, Pam Michaud, Ben Sandell, Ginalie Swaim MEMBERS ABSENT: Gosia Clore, Frank Wagner STAFF PRESENT: Bob Miklo OTHERS PRESENT: Carol Adderley, Eva Adderley, Jan Alan, Phil Beck, Nancy Carlson, Michael Chamberlan, Janice Frey, Susan Hultman, William R. Ingalls, Dick Kruse, Steven Marsden, Kelsey Pacha, Ted Pacha, Joseph Pettit, Alicia Trimble RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: By a vote of 9-0 (Clore and Wager absent) the Historic Preservation Commission recommends approval of the designation of 608, 610, and 614 South Dubuque Street as Iowa City historic landmarks. (become effective only after separate Council action) CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Swaim called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANYTHING NOT ON THE AGENDA: Carlson thanked everyone who put in time and effort to the cottages on South Dubuque Street. She said that at the City Council meeting on Tuesday morning, one of the issues raised was that they did not like that fact that this was an eleventh hour type of thing. Carlson said the City Council would have liked to have this move along in more normal channels. Carlson said she wanted to discuss the North Clinton/Dubuque Street District and the Civic District. She said the City has started plans for these two districts, and there was a meeting held on October 30 to discuss this. Carlson said the Unitarian Church is in the Civic District. She said they are asking questions about increasing the density and what should be done with these two areas. Carlson said her concern is that, given the fact that the City is looking for fifteen million dollars because of a shortfall of property taxes, they are looking for every place possible to increase density and increase funds for property taxes. Carlson said she did not know how many people are aware of the two potential districts and the older buildings that could be in there. She said that she copied off three of the maps and questionnaires to distribute to make people aware of the fact that unfortunately, although the Commission's plate is already full, there are other matters that could be coming up, and we could end up losing other buildings. Carlson asked how much of Iowa City, especially the older part, will be sacrificed to "save" Iowa City. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION December 11, 2014 Page 2 of 20 PUBLIC HEARING ON HISTORIC LANDMARK DESIGNATIONS FOR 608, 610 AND 614 SOUTH DUBUQUE STREET. Swaim said that there would first be a staff report by Miklo and then the applicant, Friends of Historic Preservation, represented by Executive Director Alicia Trimble, would speak. She said that the owner of the properties would speak after that, and then the hearing is open to any member of the public. Swaim said that once everyone who wants to has spoken, then everyone will be given a chance to speak again. Miklo said that the applicant is Friends of Historic Preservation, which has requested that the three buildings at 608, 610, and 614 South Dubuque Street be designated as Iowa City landmarks. Miklo said that designation of properties as landmarks will require Historic Preservation Commission approval of any significant changes to the exterior of the buildings. He said that landmark status also makes properties eligible for transfer of development rights according to the Riverfront Crossings Code and also for special exceptions that would allow waiver by the Board of Adjustment of certain zoning requirements. Miklo said that the Iowa Site Inventory form prepared by Friends of Historic Preservation in the Commission's packet has detail about the history of the buildings. He said that to qualify for designation as landmarks, the subject properties must meet criteria A and B as spelled out in the zoning code and one of the additional four criteria in the code. Miklo said the Commission must find that the buildings are: A. significant to American and/or Iowa City history, architecture, archaeology, and culture. He said the Commission must also find that B. the buildings possess integrity of location, design, setting, materials, and workmanship. Miklo said that if the Commission finds that the properties meet these two criteria, then it must find that they meet one of the other four remaining in the list. Miklo showed photographs of the buildings and said he would be available to answer any questions. Swaim said there are many aspects to this process, but the role of the Historic Preservation Commission is to decide whether the cottages are historically significant in that they meet the criteria as outlined. She said the Commission's role is therefore very precise. Trimble introduced herself as the Executive Director of Friends of Historic Preservation. She asked that 608, 610, and 614 South Dubuque Street receive local landmark presentation. Trimble said her presentation will be short, because the property owner needs to leave by 7 p.m., but she would be glad to come back for questions or to provide more details at any point. Trimble stated that the Historic Preservation Commission, along with Friends of Historic Preservation, has been working for several years to have the near North Side, now called Riverfront Crossings, surveyed. She said the survey for that area finally starts next week. Trimble said the Commission's recommendations given for the Riverfront Crossings plan make saving the cottages, Tait Arms, and Sabin School goals for Iowa City. Trimble said that ideally, the landmark application for 608, 610, and 614 South Dubuque Street would have been submitted to the Commission probably more than a year from now after the survey's completion. She said, however, that extraordinary circumstances have made that impossible. Trimble stated that, having been on the Historic Preservation Commission herself, she knows that the Commission's job is to decide if these cottages meet the qualifications to be local HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION December 11, 2014 Page 3 of 20 historic landmarks, and they do. She said that as one can see by the slide, they meet the minimum criteria listed, and they may have more information to yield in the future, just as Plum Grove has through archaeology and more research. Trimble said the cottages are an intact story of our history and are associated with important pioneers, as well as many people who built Iowa City on their backs and with their own sweat that are no less important but are less known. They are our story. Trimble showed an 1868 birds -eye map showing the block pulled out. She said we know from the bird's-eye map that a lot of the time the buildings are so tiny the details are not right, but it does show if a building is there, and that is known to be pretty accurate. Trimble said that on this block at that time one can see three buildings that are facing forward and a longer one. She said the longer one is probably where Racquet Master is now and was probably an 1850s store originally. Trimble said there are three buildings to the left of that on the map, and right now there are five buildings to the left. She said that could mean that the three cottages were there or that the two houses were there and 608, which is most likely the earliest cottage, or some combination in between, but it is known that these cottages are at least that old. Trimble said that unfortunately, because these cottages were built for working-class people, possibly as rentals, there is not a lot of data. Trimble said these cottages are most likely associated with Charles H. Berryhill. She said he came to Iowa City in 1838, a year before Chauncey Swan even plotted Iowa City. Trimble said Berryhill is credited with giving Iowa City its original shape, adding on to what Swan had plotted. She said that Berryhill was a merchant and owned the first dry goods store in Iowa City. Trimble said Berryhill was a merchant, farmer, land speculator, alderman, as well as being one of the most prominent members of Iowa City at that time. Trimble said that William and Catherine Watkins lived here in 1872. Trimble said that William Watkins was brought in as the pastor of the Welsh Congregational Church at Old Man's Creek, and there are a number of references to Catherine just being a loving and kind woman. She said that they had ten children. Although She said this shows the important roles the different families have played. Regarding the integrity of the cottages, Trimble said that in this case, the cottages are in their original location and have their important, original context near the historic railroad line. She said that a lot of the buildings in that area are from that time, although they have been altered. Trimble said the buildings also have integrity of materials. She said the cottages are composed of handmade brick and mortar. Trimble said the workmanship was obviously local with eclectic features and shows interesting features such as a potato shelf in 608 and kind of a crookedly built chimney in 614. She said that part of what makes these cottages so unique is that a resident of our city did this work, which really is a testament to the people who built the city. Regarding important patterns of history, Trimble said this obviously is associated with the Iowa City Railroad District. She said that two things really made the city after the legislature left Iowa City: one was the University and the other was the railroad. Trimble said the railroad came in on December 31, 1855, and within a few years, Iowa City's population doubled. She said this was the end of the line, and as part of this, a neighborhood arose around the railroad tracks and continued to expand for the next couple of decades. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION December 11, 2014 Page 4 of 20 Trimble said the people who worked in this neighborhood were always working class, often immigrants, sometimes minorities and often poor. She said that most of these people would never have had the means or the right to live north of Burlington Street, and because of that, we tend to forget them in our history. Trimble said we have tended to raze their properties and not recognize the important contributions they have made to the city. With regard to modern history, Trimble stated that the middle cottage, 610, is associated with the Actualist Poetry Movement. She said there were poetry readings and brainstorming here, and the movement spread from coast to coast. Trimble said that having that movement start in Iowa City is one of the reasons it has a UNESCO City of Literature designation. Trimble said that the job of the Commission members is simple — to simply decide if 608, 610, and 614 Dubuque Street meet the criteria to be designated as local landmarks. She stated that those in the local preservation community know and have been working toward a survey here, specifically because of these cottages and other buildings in this area. Trimble said she hoped the Commission would take that into consideration when voting. In response to a question, Trimble said that the OSA is expected to complete the survey of the area this next spring. Ted Pacha said he would abdicate his time to his son but said he was surprised to see the use of the term of architecturally significant on the board. He said that when the developer offered to put the three facades of those buildings on three retail spaces in the proposed plan, he was told that they were not architecturally significant. Kelsey Pacha said he is the oldest son of Ted Pacha, the property owner. He said he wanted to offer a perspective that has not been heard regarding these old buildings on Dubuque Street. Pacha said he grew up in Iowa City and lived here as recently as 2012. He said he has seen many changes as a result of development and rezoning in Iowa City, not all of which he agreed with, and was at the meeting to comment on some of the claims made in the Friends of Historic Preservation application to declare these three buildings as historic landmarks and also to comment briefly on the process. Kelsey Pacha said that on page seven of the application, the author claims that the Actualist Poetry Movement is the only literary movement to have its roots in North America. Pacha said our own Prairie Lights Bookstore is named for San Francisco's City Lights Bookstore, which is where the first beatnik poetry was published, although the movement began in New York. He said this is an error that no one has questioned that was also in the original form of the petition that was disseminated to supporters of historic preservation. Kelsey Pacha said there are also multiple spelling and grammar errors, which he assumes were the result of hurried writing. He said he had a list of examples. Pacha said it is not his intention to nitpick but to bring attention to how haphazard the information being presented is. He said if such a sweeping, erroneous claim about the only literary movement with roots in North America can be made without question, what other claims by Friends of Historic Preservation are simply wrong, whether to inflate the buildings' importance or because these reports are being thrown together at the last minute. Kelsey Pacha said that much of the information about the earliest owners and apparent occupants is based on census material, which, as the applicant states, gives very little information about the purpose the buildings actually served. He added that in the case of Jacob Beard's wife, it gives contradictory information about her name. Pacha said that the information HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION December 11, 2014 Page 5 of 20 about property owner Charles Berryhill, who, it states, "...certainly did not live in the buildings...," does not seem relevant to those who did live there. Kelsey Pacha said that most of what is presented under the early settlers heading is speculative and tells us more about who owned the land and whatever buildings might have been there at the time, as the application acknowledges that there are no documents that explicitly state when these so-called cottages were erected. He said the report though states that the families who owned and lived in the buildings were some of the wealthiest in Iowa City at the time of the settlement but also states that they are "...some of the last remaining intact representations of working class Iowa Citians at the time of this early railroad district." He asked which then is it — wealthy families or working class citizens. Pacha said the infamous Mormon Trek is also mentioned, without any proof of a relationship to the Mormon Trek. Kelsey Pacha stated that he is not saying that these buildings are or are not historically significant; he is just saying that, as a reader, there are many holes. He said that because Trimble did not work with the property owner, she did not have access to the State plat book that the owner is in possession of, which could offer additional information or insight. Kelsey Pacha said that, as he understands it, it is highly unusual for someone who is not working with the property owner to apply for any kind of historic landmark status. He said it seems that an assumption was made that the owner would not have welcomed it, when in fact, he would have been glad to help any time in the past 18 years before he recently decided to sell the property. Kelsey Pacha said the owner has been a steward of these buildings to the best of his ability, but he has been told by a certified structural engineer that they are dangerous, which is another, rather important fact that is not even mentioned in the application. He referred to the integrity section on page five, which states that the integrity of the cottages is intact. Pacha said he understands that speaks to the historic integrity, but the structural integrity should also be a concern. He said the application clearly does not take into account the information provided by VJ Engineering, which is vital to anyone who steps inside. Kelsey Pacha said that, speaking strictly as a citizen and a community organizer in his own right, he wanted to make a few comments on how this process, initiated by Friends of Historic Preservation, has happened. He said that no one had ever approached his father in the past 18 years with interest in collaborating on preservation of these buildings. Pacha said that is ultimately because this is not simply about these buildings. He said this whole fight is a repository for all the anger and resentment about other rezoning and development around Iowa City. Kelsey Pacha said that the story for these organizers was already written as soon as they saw this rezoning request, which was less than a month ago. He said, "Heartless landlord who doesn't care about history looks to get big money from large developer." Pacha said this is why they jumped on getting in touch with the media immediately, effectively controlling the conversation and why they jumped on creating online petitions that were later presented to the City Council. Kelsey Pacha said that he has been a community organizer and an advocate for people with disabilities and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community for about ten years. He said that in that time, he has organized protests, gone to City Council meetings, and both written and signed petitions like the one Nialee Sylvan created on change.org. Pacha said that, HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION December 11, 2014 Page 6 of 20 speaking from the perspective of one who has witnessed the negative effects of gentrification in both the Chicago and San Francisco Bay areas, if he only had the information presented to him via the petition or the previous new articles, he undoubtedly would have signed it. He said that not only were there glaring inaccuracies, as mentioned before, but the title and language were changed shortly before it was sent to the City Council. Pacha said this is relevant in terms of the amount of public support that is perceived about the historic preservation process. Kelsey Pacha said that originally this petition's title was "Declare 608, 610, and 614 Dubuque Street Public Landmarks" as of 11 a.m. on December 2. He said that then, around 1:45 p.m. Nialle Sylvan wrote an update entitled, "What We Need to Ask for the City Council to Set a Public Hearing." Pacha said the update explained, probably because they got more information on the process than what the City Council needed to hear rather than just a desire to save the old buildings, was that people specifically wanted a public hearing to occur. Pacha said that she (Sylvan) states at the end of the update, "I am revising the petition accordingly." Kelsey Pacha said that with the internet, this is as easy as copy and pasting. He said that if this were a paper petition, the organizers could not simply cross out the original wording of what they were asking for and asking people to sign for and present those signatures to City Council, which were signed for a different purpose. Kelsey Pacha said that at least they could not do this in good faith. He said it is just one example among many of intentional manipulation by the organizing groups to foment public outcry against allowing the owner to do what he wishes with the property and to present an as of yet unverified version of the cottages' history in the body of the petition. Kelsey Pacha said that if he has learned anything from his organizing work, it is that it is always best to attempt to engage in dialogue with the person who you view as your adversary. He said it is very easy to create an us and them mentality before ever talking to a person and to have unfounded assumptions about their motivations and their character. Kelsey Pacha said that a question he has struggled with through this entire process has been, if Friends of Historic Preservation believes that the buildings are structurally sound and believes they are historically significant, why would they not go about the process the right way — the prescribed way. He asked why they would not jointly look at the buildings with the property owner, as was agreed upon in the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. Pacha asked why they would not collaborate and share information to apply for preservation before the property owner wanted to sell. Kelsey Pacha said it is not as if Friends of Historic Preservation tried and failed to work with his father; they never even attempted it. He said that in their fervor to stop further development in Iowa City, which is something he understands, Friends of Historic Preservation has done only surface level research in barely three weeks' time and made dubious claims to the public about these buildings, both without collaborating with the owner and with no accountability for the outcome. Kelsey Pacha said that a vote for preservation is a vote for this last-minute process; it endorses it; it is a process without integrity. He asked if the Commission wants to reward that kind of divisiveness, especially when the claims being made are based on limited information. Pacha encouraged those who care about older buildings in Iowa City to do something while there is still time to do it respectfully with those owners and to not use such underhanded means to get what they want. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION December 11, 2014 Page 7 of 20 Ted Pacha thanked the Commission members for their time and said that he and his son had to leave the meeting for another commitment. Pettit said he has been a resident here for 23 years. He stated that Kelsey Pacha said that over the past 18 years, Friends of Historic Preservation or other groups did not make any effort to try to preserve the cottages. Pettit said he does not exactly know the circumstances, but he might be able to indicate why this is so last minute. Pettit said he first learned two years ago that these cottages had an historic place in the railroad district. He said he was told that they were stops for the pony express if his memory is correct. Pettit said now that the rezoning and demolition applications have arisen, it has struck home that these places were not as permanent as he thought they were, and they are now suddenly threatened, although he had no idea that this was coming. Pettit said that the Pachas mentioned that the structures are, according to VJ Engineering, in a state of disrepair and could be under threat of collapsing. Pettit asked, if the process for historic preservation designation were to continue, how would any repairs or bracing be carried out — if it would be on the part of the property owner, the current tenants, the City, or another entity. Swaim said it would be the property owner's responsibility. Pettit asked if the local landmark designation would mean that Ted Pacha would still be able to own these properties, although without the ability to demolish them. Swaim said that if they are landmarks he would need to apply for demolition permits which would then be reviewed by this Commission. She said the Commission's decision regarding whether to approve the demolition permit would be based on two things. Swaim said the first would be if the buildings could not be repaired - if they were deteriorated beyond repair. She said the second would be what kind of replacement buildings would be proposed, if they would be sympathetic to the buildings that had been torn down in terms of mass, setback, size, and such. Alan said she lives in Iowa City. She said she considers this district to be a shopping destination, as do many of her friends. Alan said the one thing that makes it cute are those little houses. Alan said that in her own community organization business, she saw other communities that were destroyed by the City and watched businesses flounder and people become homeless. She said it is awful to take away a whole community. Alan said that if these businesses go, the whole community will go, and she would hate to see that. Alan stated that the other point is that, especially with all the publicity, this area is increasing in price, and it will continue to increase in price. She said that if a developer wants to come in 20 years from now, the owner will get a lot more money for it. Marsden said he has been a visitor and shopper at Jim's Bookshop. He said he was also briefly an employee at the neighboring store, the current bookshop. Marsden said he wanted to express his appreciation for the presentation made by Friends of Historic Preservation. He said that, despite whatever shortcomings have been pointed out, it was a remarkable explanation that was put together in a very short time. Marsden said the Actualist Movement had many readings there and many events at Jim's Bookshop. He said that Jim's Bookstore was not the only bookstore that was there. Marsden HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION December 11, 2014 Page 8 of 20 said that it was preceded by Alan Doney's bookshop, which is somewhat continuous in terms of the cultural developments that led to the Actualist Movement. He said that Doney's bookshop was also an important cultural center in Iowa City. Marsden said that is not the only influence. He said it is a physical manifestation of its heritage, but it was also an important cultural center preceding, developing, and contributing to the movement that became the actualist movement. Marsden said there was another owner in between Jim Mulach and Ben Biber. Marsden said he did not know much about that, but Ben Biber had a bookshop there called the Free Culture Co-op. Marsden said the events there might not have been as important on a national scale as the Actualist Movement, but it was very significant historically in terms of the local literary and especially the local alternative music scene. Marsden said that the history of the area is not just about Jim's Bookshop, as important as it was, but there was a cultural continuum before and after Jim's proprietorship. Beck said he is a long-time resident of Iowa City. Regarding the issue of timing, he said that the last minute nature of this has been questioned. Beck said he is sure there are a lot of circumstances to explain why things are happening now instead of earlier, but his question is whether that is really relevant or pertinent. He asked if it really matters if it was done 18 years ago, 18 months ago, or 18 days ago. Beck said he is not really familiar with the process of applying for landmark status. He asked if the rules have been followed, however last minute they are. Beck asked if anything has not been done that should have been done that would render the process of application invalid. Beck said he has not heard or read anything about whether doing this late in the game invalidates the process. He said it is obviously unfortunate and is very apparent that the Pachas' feelings have been hurt. Beck said it is unfortunate but asked if again it is pertinent or relevant. Beck said it seems to him that the Commission's task is to try to separate out the emotional and the procedural things and decide upon the procedural. He said that if procedures have been followed, that is what is most relevant. Beck said he did not think the fact that Trimble had some grammatical mistakes and even some factual errors is all that pertinent. He said that as Trimble pointed out, the history of these cottages is not documented in great detail. Beck said there are gaps in the history. He said that anyone who has done any historical research knows that when one goes back to a pervious century, one deals with spotty records and things like that. Beck said he thinks that enough evidence has been presented showing that these cottages have historical import in the history of Iowa City. He said that whether or not some of the actual details or names were nailed down, these cottages are part of history and are associated with certain people. Swaim confirmed that all of the procedures have been properly followed. She said that the Comprehensive Plan (Near Southside Redevelopment Plan) of 1992 already spelled out that this area needed to be examined and that those three cottages needed to be looked at as sites to be protected. Swaim said those are things that should be done. She stated that what slows processes down are things like lack of staff, lack of money or funding, paying for consultants to do the work, lack of volunteers, etc. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION December 11, 2014 Page 9 of 20 Swaim said there is also the fact that the flood and its effect on the Music Building created this snowball effect on other buildings. She said that part of the overriding FEMA mitigation process involved the Commission's suggesting that a survey be done of that entire area. Swaim said that FEMA has a process. She said that also delayed the survey. Swaim said that as part of the process, a large survey of the area would occur and then individual properties are identified as worth more examination and perhaps protection. Swaim said that the surveys are a long process, funded in various ways. She said that preservation efforts are often eleventh hour, because demolition permits are learned about at the eleventh hour. Beck said that confirms his support for landmark status. Frey said she has been a resident of Iowa City for over 30 years. She said she is not very familiar with this process, but she thinks that the lack of public comment is really a shame for this. Frey said that what we're learning now by people coming forward and making comments has enriched the knowledge of what these cottages meant. Frey said she thinks there is something to be said by preventing the demolition of these buildings, because once they're gone, they're gone, and there is no issue any more. She said that opening it up and having a public meeting would perhaps bring forth many more stories about these buildings. Ingalls said he lives at 608 South Dubuque Street and pointed out the property on the map. He thanked everyone who had spoken, because there is so much valuable information to consider. Ingalls said that Swaim did a fine job of explaining that many times, when a pursuit of historical status is sought, it is because a demolition notice has been applied for. He said he has been the caretaker/property manager of the entire block since 1986, ten years before Ted Pacha owned the properties. He said that this has just come up as recently as three or four weeks ago. Ingalls said it was sort of a planned assault on the Building Inspection Service Department and everyone else involved. He said the military term for this is rapid dominance. Ingalls said they had been talking with some of the City Council members early on. He said he was told by Ted Pacha as recently as three weeks ago to go from property to property on the block and assure people that nothing was going to happen, there were no plans afoot to change anything, and that all leases would be honored until the end of the lease terms. Ingalls said he has tried to buy his place many times, and Ted Pacha told him he thought they had to be sold as a unit but to rest assured that if they come up for sale, Ingalls would get the property, because he had asked about it a million times. Ingalls said that Ted Pacha told him that he could not do anything with the properties if he wanted to, because they are designated to be preserved. Ingalls said that all of this came at the last minute, and the way Trimble was treated by the City Council, saying that the right process had not been followed, still bothers him. He said that Trimble's research and report have been exemplary. Ingalls said the report brings to light a lot of things he didn't know. Ingalls said he does know some things about all three of the buildings, because in 1986, Doug Boothroy was not sure that he should be living and working out of 608 South Dubuque Street HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION December 11, 2014 Page 10 of 20 because of commercial zoning. Ingalls said that he told Boothroy that people had been working and living there forever as far as he knew, and Boothroy told him he would have to prove that. Ingalls said that the property owner at that time was Freda Hieronymus. Ingalls said that Hieronymus objected to being told what she could and could not do with the property, so between the two of them, they put together a roster of tenancy dating back to 1855 of all three cottages. Ingalls said that Trimble mentioned most of what he found out, because he does not have documentation. Ingalls said that what he does have is common knowledge from former postal carriers and older people in the neighborhood and people who would stop in and give him information. Ingalls said that the research shows that the cottages served briefly as that era's versions of bed and breakfasts. He said that railroad workers lived there, and they were stagecoach layover stations for a while. Ingalls stated that he has heard again and again that they were pony express depots. Ingalls said he would be happy to answer any questions the Commission might have about the properties. Chamberlan said he owns the Broken Spoke, which is located two properties to the left of Ingalls, right on the corner at 602 South Dubuque Street. He said he wanted to confirm what Ingalls had said about Ted Pacha's comments, telling people when the property was being rezoned for the form -based zoning that no one needed to worry about anything and that this is just to comply with the new standards of form -based zoning. Chamberlan said he has talked with other business owners on the same block who have also said that Ted Pacha had told them the same thing. Regarding the rushed process, Chamberlan said there is a little insight to how this could easily become rushed. He said that on the one hand, there is no implication that anything is going to happen for a while, especially if, the survey took place in the spring, there would be no reason to expect why it would have to happen soon, if everyone had leases and there was also consideration in the master plan for these cottages. Chamberlan said that of course when there is a demolition notice in place, then that speeds things up and sends things into emergency mode. Hultman said she owns Suzy's Antiques and Gifts at 610 South Dubuque Street. She said she was born in Iowa City and has throughout the years seen multiple older structures, both homes and businesses, torn down in this town, and she thinks it is a travesty. Hultman said that these three cottages and actually the whole block are jewels in the Riverfront Crossings District. She said that if this block is torn out for more student high-rise buildings, the uniqueness of this railroad district here loses so much. Hultman said there are very few if any places left here in Iowa City like this block. She said it is very important to preserve these cottages. Eva Adderley said she is 24 and grew up in Iowa City and has lived here her entire life. She said she remembers seeing the cottages when she was young and being captivated by them as beautiful diplomats of days gone by. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION December 11, 2014 Page 11 of 20 Eva Adderley said that it was later that she learned about their historic significance, and she thinks this is actually a more important part of our history than a lot of what gets preserved, because there are other buildings in Iowa City that are really beautiful buildings that have been preserved, as they should be, but it is mostly the buildings where the wealthiest and most prominent citizens have lived, and that is almost no one's history. Eva Adderley said the cottages are the places where the people who built Iowa City with their own hands, sweat, diligence, inspiration, and bravery lived and worked. She said that some of the first businesses owned by women were there. Adderley stated that when one talks about preservation, one cannot just talk about duty to the past, because a lot of it is about the duty to the future. She said it is a choice between preserving a really important part of our identity and letting a little bit of magic die. Carol Adderley, said that the Eva Adderley, the woman who just spoke is her daughter. She said she and her daughter are third and fourth generation Iowa City residents. Carol Adderley said that the first person in her family who came to Iowa City was Esther Anderson. She said Anderson came because she was from a poor family but she worked for a lawyer who told her she should be a lawyer. Adderley said that Anderson came here because it was one of the few places where a woman could even train with the hope of becoming a lawyer. Carol Adderley said that is part of Iowa City's history. She said that when Anderson was here, she did not stay in a fancy place. Adderley said this is an artifact that we can't get back if it goes. Carol Adderley said that if one walks inside these places, the cottages may be small but they feel so good. She said they are well built. Adderley said that she owns the old Shimek School and feels pleasure every time she walks in the building. Carol Adderley said she is on the board of her family's company and understands the issues involved in making decisions and the need for speed. She said that she knows, speaking from experience, how much one needs good information. Adderley said one needs good information and enough time to work through the process. She added that we cannot get this back if the buildings are torn down; they are not replaceable. Carol Adderley said this is so very much a part of so many more people who have built Iowa City and have made it what it has been. She said it is very forward looking. Adderley said one of the most well-known buildings in Iowa City is probably J. Schaeffer's tumbleweed, which has been featured as a small house in publications. She said that these cottages are a historic form of small houses. Ingalls said that he was at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting a few weeks ago when he first heard Hodge Construction's engineer's inspection report about these buildings. He said that so much of what was being brought up was misrepresentation, exaggeration, and in some cases, not the truth. Regarding his home, Ingalls said the report stated that books should never have been allowed in there, because the floor is totally unsupported. He said the inspector missed a 40 -foot beam that runs under the floor from front to back and is supported by seven jack posts. Ingalls added that the inspector also missed the two by ten pillars on the end of each floor joist that runs all the way to the foundation. Ingalls said that to say that the floor is unsupported is just an example of many of the misstatements made in the initial report. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION December 11, 2014 Page 12 of 20 Ingalls said that Trimble raised enough money for a second structural report that completely refuted the first one. He said that if structural issues are a consideration when the Commission makes its decision, he agrees that the buildings could use some tuck pointing in places. Ingalls said there is not much that needs to be done to the Suzy's Antiques building and not much needs to be done to the Kung Fu building. He said it would be a weekend's work to do most of the tuck pointing. Ingalls said there is a little bit of woodwork to be done structurally, and the rest is basically cosmetic. Swaim asked if anyone else would like to speak on this item. There was no one. Swaim closed the public hearing. Swaim reminded Commission members that, to determine the buildings are significant, they must meet criteria A and B as set out in the staff memo and one or more of criteria C through F. She said that although there are many aspects to this, the Commission's role is to look at this part of it. Baker asked Commission members if they feel that criteria A and B have been met. Corcoran said she feels it is important that the Commission members all give some sense of how they feel about this so that when the Commission votes, the context for the decision is evident. She said she is very persuaded by the application and would be in favor of moving this forward. Corcoran said that personally, she does not feel there is anything haphazard or last minute but thinks that all of what has happened was necessary because of the fact that the owner received a declaration of nuisance from the City, and to abate that nuisance, the resolution was to demolish the buildings. Corcoran said that is what has forced all of this to be on such a short timeline. She said she is very persuaded by the fact that 22 years ago, the Planning Committee and the City Council approved the Comprehensive Plan of 1992 that specifically called out these properties as important and meriting protection. This in not just a last minute recognition of the importance of these buildings to our community. Corcoran said she would vote to approve this. She said she feels that the three properties at 608, 610, and 614 South Dubuque Street meet the historic landmark requirements, namely: they are significant to American and Iowa City history, architecture, archaeology, and culture; and criterion B, they possess integrity of location, design, setting, materials and workmanship. The consensus of the Commission was that the properties meet criteria A and B. Corcoran said she feels the cottages meet criterion C, because they are associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history. She said that she grew up in Iowa City and remembers these buildings from when she was young and remembers riding the train and the little businesses that were there. Corcoran said this is a very interesting part of Iowa City, especially because it is old and so much of it has been taken down, especially on the other side (south) of the railroad tracks. She said she trusts that the historical research of Friends of Historic Preservation is true in that no one has presented evidence that these buildings do not date to the mid 19th century. Corcoran said they housed workers and people of different backgrounds and different trades. Corcoran said the buildings are very architecturally unusual. She said they are part of a whole area there where the railroad, pony express, etc. contributed to the communication that Iowa City was having with towns throughout the country. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION December 11, 2014 Page 13 of 20 Swaim said she thinks those contributions brought patterns, including the railroad and working class housing in that neighborhood and the city's growth in just a few years after the railroad came in, and the information about the Actualist Movement. She said she does not know if there is any documentation that the pony express had any connection with that, so until that is documented, she did not think it should be part of the public record. Swaim said she definitely agrees that the properties meet criterion C. Durham said he was persuaded about the inclusive definition of or persons significant in our past and information about the working class associated these buildings. Michaud said she has been in Iowa City for 42 years and remembers Jim's and Alan Doney's bookstores and was aware of very strong literary movements. Michaud said that she owned a used and rare bookstore and therefore had reason to deal with other bookstore owners. She said that before 1992 when Will Ingalls started operating his bookstore there, he made extensive fortifications and replaced almost all the joists and multiple jacks and things like that. Agran said the comments about significance are very relevant. He said that if there were many more of these buildings left in the city, then maybe the way this is written and phrased might encourage one to not save buildings like this. Agran said, however, that the fact that there are so few and maybe only these left, in terms of representing a whole portion of the makeup of the city in the past, makes these significant. He said he agrees that these meet criterion C and said that very good cases could also be made for D, E, and F; although only one of the C through F criteria needs to be met. Michaud recalled the sorrow over the loss of the Czech Village because of the flooding and all of the small houses that were basically worker cottages in Cedar Rapids. She said that one cannot control the weather, but we can control human intervention. Michaud said that to quibble about some deteriorating red brick is a sad way to attack these buildings. She stated that much more comprehensive documentation is done on their strengths than on their weaknesses. Corcoran said it sounds like we agree on the application of criteria A, B, C and D. She asked about E: embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction or represent the work of a master or possess high artistic values (she did not know about that...) or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction. Swaim said that she was not very convinced about that one and did not see it as one of the more convincing criteria. Regarding criterion F, Durham said we did not have the basis to find for criterion F. MOTION: Corcoran moved that the Historic Preservation Commission approve the Friends of Historic Preservation application for designation of 608, 610, and 614 South Dubuque Street as Iowa City historic landmarks for the following reasons: these three properties meet the historic landmark approval requirements, mainly criterion A — they are significant to American and/or Iowa City history, architecture, archaeology, culture and criterion B — they possess integrity of location, design, setting, materials, and workmanship; and they also meet two of the other approval criteria, specifically criterion C — the three properties are associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history and criterion D — they are associated with the lives of persons significant in our past. Linton seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 9-0 (Clore and Wanner absent). HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION December 11, 2014 Page 14 of 20 Swaim said this application now goes on to the Planning and Zoning Commission for its consideration and then would go on to the City Council. CERTIFICATES OF APPROPRIATENESS: 30 North Clinton Miklo said this property is an Iowa City historic landmark and is also located in the Jefferson Street Historic District. He showed its location at the intersection of Jefferson and Clinton Streets. Miklo showed the main building, the Congregation Church, which is the landmark building. He said that an addition was made to the church sometime in the 1950s, and that is the subject of the application. Miklo said the proposal is to replace all of the windows in the addition. He stated that the guidelines and the Secretary of the Interior Standards call for preservation of historic windows where possible. Miklo said that where windows are in deteriorated condition, then replacement with like windows is appropriate. Miklo said the guidelines do have exceptions for buildings that are under the Commission's jurisdiction but are not historic or are non-contributing. He said that even though this is attached to the historic building, he believes that is the case here. Miklo said that he inspected the windows with members of the church's building committee and found them to be in deteriorating condition. He showed a close-up example of one of the windows that, even when it was fully closed, had a gap of at least a quarter of an inch. Miklo said this condition was common to many of the windows. Miklo stated that if these were wooden sashes, that would be repairable. He said these windows have aluminum frames and replacement parts are probably no longer manufactured. Miklo said it would therefore be reasonable to replace these windows based on their poor condition. Miklo said the applicant is proposing to do a different pattern than what is shown. He said the original windows typically were three -pane in an awning format. Miklo said that even when they were new, they were probably not the best windows for this climate. Miklo said the proposal is to replace the configuration of windows. He said rather than three awning -type panels, these would either be single -pane, casement, or single -hung, meaning two panels with one that would operate. Miklo said the proposal is also to use a bronze finish that is similar to what is on the trim of the main church. Given that the addition is not the historic part of the building and the poor condition of the windows, Miklo stated that staff recommends approval of this modification. Corcoran asked if there are storm windows here. Miklo responded that the exterior windows are the main window, although storm windows were added to the interior at a later date due to the problems with the main windows. He said that all of that would be taken out, and the exterior windows would be replaced. Kruse said that he is a member of the church and on the building committee. He said they are charged with the task of maintaining this building. Kruse said it is at the point where heat is being lost, and they would like to get the windows in yet this winter. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION December 11, 2014 Page 15 of 20 Kruse said the windows on one side will be just an opening with a division at the center. He said the larger window will be a window that slides back and forth, and they will all be much tighter than the present windows. Kruse said that the darker aluminum will look better with the church and will probably be a readout rather than a standout. He said they are trying to minimize the impact of the new windows. It was the consensus of the Commission that the windows were on a non -historic element of the building and that they were in deteriorated condition. Therefore they met the guidelines for replacement. MOTION: Baker moved to approve a certificate of appropriateness for the window replacement project at 30 North Clinton Street as presented in the application. Agran seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 9-0 (Clore and Wagner absent). 304 Brown Street. Miklo said this property is in the Brown Street Historic District at the corner of Linn and Brown Streets. He said this is a Craftsman -style structure, although it is quite large for Craftsman -style when compared to other houses of that style in Iowa City. Miklo added that it has some distinctive characteristics such as the support brackets under the eaves, open rafters, and shingle siding. Miklo said the historic windows are nine panes over one. He said it just happens that the attic windows are currently being restored, and that is why there are no divided lights shown in the photographs. Miklo said that most of the gable ends in this building already have windows. He said the applicant is proposing to add a window to the east gable end. Miklo said it would be positioned between the two brackets and sized such that there would be about three inches on each side of the brackets. Miklo said the window would be designed as an egress window — as a casement window that would open out, instead of a double hung. He said the guidelines do provide for exceptions for casement windows in lieu of a double hung when they are for egress. Miklo said there are some other casement windows on this building, but they are more of a French style in that they open in the middle. Miklo said staff finds this proposed additional window meets the criteria in the guidelines in terms of locating a window in such a fashion that it would not detract from the overall architecture of the building and would be consistent with historic window patterns. He said it is clear from the other gable end windows that this is consistent, and staff recommends approval. MOTION: Ackerson moved to approve a certificate of appropriateness for the project at 304 Brown Street as presented in the application. Baker seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 9-0 (Clore and Wagner absent). 435 Grant Street. Miklo said this property is in the Longfellow Historic District. He said it is an early 20th century house that may have been a catalog house in that it has many of those characteristics. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION December 11, 2014 Page 16 of 20 Miklo stated that this house is very symmetrical. He said there is a sun porch on the south side of the house that at one time was balanced with a pergola structure on the north side of the house. Miklo said that 435 Grant was once one property combined with a vacant lot between 435 and 423 Grant Street. He said the property line that is between 435 and the vacant lot is just five feet north of the house at 435. Miklo said that about ten years ago, the owner of 435 Grant sold the extra lot to her neighbor. He said that the pergola extended eight feet into the side yard or three feet across the property line. Miklo said there was an agreement that there would be an easement for a period of ten years to allow the pergola to remain in place. He stated that when the agreement expired, the new owner of the adjacent lot asked that it be moved. Miklo said the owner removed it without first seeking a demolition permit, which is required in a historic district. Miklo said that another neighbor notified the City, which then notified the owner of the situation. He said she applied for the demolition permit to remove the pergola after it was done. Miklo said he spoke with her about the possibility of replacing the pergola with one that extended to the property line, which would be allowed by zoning as long as it is not attached to the house. He said the owner agreed to do that in an attempt to try to recreate as much as possible what was there. Miklo said the owner had retained most of the pieces of the pergola, so it could be constructed for the most part with original materials. He said that rather than approving the demolition permit, which staff would recommend be denied, the Commission would consider approval of replacement of the pergola on a smaller scale, which the owner has agreed to do. A Commissioner asked if the pergola was original to the house. Miklo said that, given the design of the house, the brackets on the sun porch are very similar to the ends of the pergola, which would indicate that it was part of the original design. He said the symmetry of the design also indicates that the pergola was original. Sandell asked what the distance is between the brick house and the neighbor. Miklo said it is at least 45 feet, because the vacant lot is 40 feet five feet wide. Michaud asked if the pergola would have the same detail as it had originally. Miklo confirmed this. He said it can only be five feet, because the neighbor will not consent to the pergola being back on his property. MOTION: Baker moved to deny the demolition of the pergola as a significant architectural detail. Litton seconded the motion. The motion to deny carried on a vote of 9-0 (Clore and Wagner absent). MOTION; Baker moved to approve a certificate of appropriateness for the reconstruction of a 5' by 16' freestanding pergola in place of the original, subject to the following conditions: 1) the original material to be used to the extent possible, 2) original material that is damaged should be replaced with new wood of the same dimension as the original, and 3) the final design of the freestanding pergola to be approved by staff and the Commission chair. Ackerson seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 9-0 (Clore and Wagner absent). HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION December 11, 2014 Page 17 of 20 203 North Linn Street. Miklo said this is a recently designated landmark. He said the proposal is to replace the awnings on the two street sides of the property with awnings similar to what is there in color, design, and material. He said that two of the new awnings would have the name of the restaurant on them. Miklo added that a projecting sign would be added to the corner. He said that it would be on a metal bracket and would be a wooden plate with copper letters with the name North Side Bistro on it. Miklo showed a computer mockup of what the sign and the awnings might look like. He said the applicant clarified that only two of the awnings would have signs; they would not put signs on all of them. Miklo said the guidelines do not have specific standards for signs. He said that in a case such as this, the Secretary of the Interior Standards would be used, and he referred to details about how the Secretary of the Interior Standards address signs for historic buildings. Miklo said the awning signs were quite common historically, so there is no question that the awning signs are appropriate. He said that projecting signs were also an historic sign form, although weathered wood probably would not have been seen on a historic sign. Miklo said it may be a false sense of history to use weathered wood, but given the size and scale of this sign and the fact that signs like this are generally not permanent, he did not think there would be harm to approving this one. But he said he would also recommend that the Commission approve an alternative, which would be on a plain metal or wood or fiberglass panel should the applicant choose to do something simpler. MOTION: Agran moved to approve a certificate of appropriateness for the project at 203 Linn Street as presented in the application with the following conditions: 1) signs will be placed on the two awnings located to the west and north of the corner entrance; and 2) in addition to the weathered wood background, the projecting sign may consist of alternative materials including metal, smooth painted wood or a fiberglass panel painted to look like wood. Baker seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 9-0 (Clore and Wagner absent). 608 Grant Street. Miklo said this application was submitted the day before the packet went out, and staff was not able to get it on the agenda for this meeting. REPORT ON CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY CHAIR AND STAFF: Miklo said that several have been approved, but there was not time to get them on the agenda. He said he would prepare a list for the January meeting. DISCUSSION OF ANNUAL AWARDS PROGRAM: Miklo said that the subcommittee met and selected a number of nominees for the awards program, which will be held January 29th. He said it is customary for the full Commission to approve the subcommittee's work. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION December 11, 2014 Page 18 of 20 Miklo reviewed the nominees with the Commission. He asked if any Commission members had objections or suggestions for additions. Michaud asked that the subcommittee also consider an award for the Unitarian Church at 10 South Gilbert Street. Sandell asked about the property in the Summit Street Historic District. Swaim asked if the foundation would be painted like this. Miklo said it would typically not be painted the same color as the house. He said if there are qualms about putting a property on the list as an example of something the Commission would like to see, he would recommend taking it off the list. The consensus of the Commission was to take the house off the list. Miklo said that if there are other properties to be nominated, the information should be provided to the subcommittee right away. Swaim asked about the Nowysz award, and Miklo said that could still be discussed at the Commission's January meeting. MOTION: Corcoran moved to approve the list of nominated properties, as presented by the subcommittee and amended by the consensus of the Commission, to be recipients of the historic preservation awards. Ackerson seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 9-0 (Clore and Wagner absent). HISTORIC PRESERVATION INFORMATION. Miklo said he has received an informal request about the demolition of a property in the Brown Street Historic District. He said there are some possible extenuating circumstances with the property. Miklo said it has not been inhabited by people for a number of years, although it was used as a cat sanctuary. Miklo said it has recently changed hands, and the owner has indicated that there was a considerable amount of damage done by the cats so that it may be very difficult to salvage the house. He asked that a subcommittee of two or three Commission members visit the property with him and give the owner some feedback as to whether a demolition permit would be issued. Miklo said that before a demolition permit could be issued, a replacement structure would have to be approved. Ackerson, Agran and Michaud volunteered to visit the property with Miklo. Swaim said that, given some of the absolutely necessary but last minute efforts the community has been making to save historic buildings, the Commission needs to pay attention to its work plan. She said that there was an indication that more historic buildings should be listed before they are threatened with demolition. Michaud said that it is difficult to do the research necessary to designate properties when staff has been cut. Swaim said that early next year the Commission should review the Preservation Plan discuss how to approach the issue. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES FOR NOVEMBER 13,2014: MOTION: Litton moved to approve the minutes of the Historic Preservation Commission's November 13, 2014 meeting. Ackerson seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 9-0 (Clore and Wagner absent). ADJOURNMENT: HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION December 11, 2014 Page 19 of 20 The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m. Minutes submitted by Anne Schulte Z O U) U) O O V U Z LU O w `e r F' W O >� Z d Z r LL, D N W Z W a U a R 0 F - _N N x X x X X x x X X W O M r x W O W O x X x X x x X X p X X X x x X X X X Lli O LU O r X X X X X X X X X - X w X 0 X 0 0 0 x X X X 0 Co X X X X X O O O x x x co o X X X x x x x x x o 0 X X - x X 0 x X X X Cl) x x x i x x x x i x w O M CO) C' N p X X X I X X X 0 X X M O - NM X X X 1 X x X X i X X N N x X x I X X x i O O r i X X X X x I X X r 0 X i X I X X x I X x CDr c0 r` LO r` cD co p- to r- LO LO IV w Y. W \Oi N ai \ N \ Oi N \ Oi N \ Oi N \ Oi N a: N 0)\ \ N \ Oi N \ Oi N \ Oi N F- M M M M M Cl) M M M M M Z Q w Q Q Z WZ W Z c O H p Y o a m Q 9 w ZF- Z LL Z N w Q J Q Z m z oC W w 0 a z Q W w w w0 0 u 0 U_ Q a C9 Q Q m U 0 D W N a¢Qz u u u u XOL w Y