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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.27.2008• • COUNCIL WORK SESSION October 27, 2008 5:00 p.m. Council Chambers Members present: Mayor Hurley, Hart, Greenwood, Steve Schmitt, Welper. Members absent: Cole, Getty, Reggie Schmitt. Moved by Welper, seconded by Steve Schmitt that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Four. Absent: Cole, Getty, Reggie Schmitt. Motion carried. Larry Smith, Acting Superintendent of Waste Management Services, reviewed the city wide cleanup schedule. For the past few years, the city has been providing a fall and spring city wide cleanup, but due to lower participation and increased expenses, Mr. Smith is suggesting that the city provide one cleanup in June 2009. Mr. Smith explained that the city provides 26 to 27 neighborhood cleanups every year and one city wide cleanup would be available for the rest of the city. Councilperson Welper noted that he has been involved in every one of his neighborhood's cleanups since 1993 and participation has been falling off mostly due to moving the cleanup to the Waste Management site. Originally, the cleanups were provided only to neighborhoods that were organized. Mr. Smith noted that approximately $15,000.00 could be saved by holding only one city wide cleanup. Councilperson Steve Schmitt stated that he is not sure if this is the year or the time to reduce the number of city wide cleanups to one. Councilperson Greenwood noted that if a citizen does not participate in the city wide cleanup, they can call Waste Management to schedule a bulk pickup at a cost of $10 for 10 items, plus extra fees for appliances. Councilperson Hart stated he also feels this might not be the time to switch to just one city wide cleanup. Mayor Hurley stated that the city will schedule two city wide cleanup for another year and keep an eye on it. Noel Anderson, Community Planning & Development Director, reviewed the five applications for resolutions of support for Iowa Finance Authority Tax Credits. The tax credits have increased in number this year due to the disaster in the State of Iowa and Black Hawk County has been prioritized for the same disaster status. The city regularly receives requests for resolutions of support and has previously given such resolutions to all projects. This is the first year the city received a transmittal from the Iowa Finance Authority noting that we should or could prioritize them to better impact which projects are funded. Mr. Anderson reviewed the following requests for support: Common Bond. Proposing to build 4 to 6-unit townhouse design homes for rental at the southeast corner of Mobile and Newell Streets. The project is estimated at $8.5 million and would provide for 40 units of affordable housing. The project is located within the CURA and Enterprise Zone. Interim Holdings (John Foley). Proposing to build 30 new single family homes in the to -be - platted Scotch Grove Addition, which is located along Bishop Avenue in the wooded area. The project is estimated at $4.2 million and would be set up under the State of Iowa ROSE Program whereas the homes would be rental units for 15 years and then the resident would have the opportunity to buy the home with a portion of the rents received having been put aside for down payment assistance. Council Work Session October 27, 2008 Page 2 Cardinal Capital Management. Proposes to rehabilitate the Liberty Manor senior apartment at 1119 Kent Circle. The apartment complex is a 57-unit building built in 1980. The project has a $3.8 million overall cost. Whitman Point. This is a senior assisted Living facility proposed for the vacant lot next to Dr. Snead's office on Flammang Drive. The project is an $8 million project, creating a multiple story building with 55 units for seniors needing assisted living. The site is located within an Enterprise Zone. The Fortus Group. Proposes to build townhouse design homes for rental on the land behind the Super Target. The project is estimated at over $10 million for 96 new units of affordable housing. The site is properly zoned. The site is located within a potential Enterprise Zone expansion area. Mr. Anderson noted that the Iowa Finance Authority said the city can establish any criteria it wishes to determine its preference, and he reviewed suggested ideas for prioritizing. Mr. Anderson explained that there is a possible 420 points for each tax credit project, and a project must score 150 points. The resolution of support from council is worth 10 points for each project. Mr. Anderson noted that Whitman Point representatives did hold a meeting as staff attended the neighborhood meeting, as well as Common Bond. Mr. Anderson explained that Cardinal Capital has not held meetings because Liberty Manor is a rehab project. Mr. Anderson noted that the Interim Holdings project is located in the Maywood Neighborhood and he is not aware of any meetings held by Interim Holdings with the neighbors. Councilperson Welper noted that two of the projects are for senior living and three of the projects are for family housing and asked why wouldn't the council support all five. Mr. Anderson responded the council can support all five projects or they could prioritize based on new construction versus rehab. Councilperson Hart asked if the city has any relationship with any of the developers. Mr. Anderson responded that staff has had conversations with Common Bond, but they have not developed any projects in the city. Mr. Anderson noted that Interim Holdings did the Heritage Apartments and Emerson School projects. Councilperson Steve Schmitt asked if there is any value in the city council prioritizing the projects. Mr. Anderson responded based on the summary document, it would be all right to support all five projects. Councilperson Greenwood stated he thinks all five are good projects and each could stand on their own. Councilperson Hart stated that council has been shown pictures of the proposed development and he asked how can we be assured this will be the actual development. Mr. Anderson responded the resolution of support will contain the information presented by each developer. With no further business before the council, it was moved by Hart, seconded by Steve Schmitt that the meeting be adjourned at 5:26 p.m. Ayes: Four. Absent: Cole, Getty, Reggie Schmitt. Motion carried. Nancy Eckert City Clerk • •