MORE Thoughts on LOST

As I just sent out to city residents, the Johnson County Supervisors have now asked all municipalities to include language on their Local Option Sales Tax ballot to set aside 10% of revenues received to go to repayment of a Courthouse Annex  bond. In a June 30th Press Citizen story Iowa City Manager Tom Markus asked all other municipalities to set aside 10% of revenues received for low income housing.

At our City Council meeting last Tuesday I suggested we have ballot language that would include acquiring community center space. Using LOST revenue would be a great way to pay for space at the proposed One University Place development. When council asked audience members in attendance what other possible purposes LOST funds should be used for we heard both sidewalk expansion and street repair.

I'd be interested in hearing other ideas that residents may have regarding LOST.

A TWO-FER Council Update

I tend to slow down in the summer just a little, so I didn't get this week's July Council meeting update posted, before I needed to make another post revising what I'd already said!

Here is the latest Info sent on Saturday July 12th:

I know I've already sent an update this week but two items have happened since then that I thought it was important to communicate to as many people as possible.

Vehicle Safety

Police Chief Ron Fort requests that everyone in town makes sure their vehicles are locked. U-H had 5 unlocked vehicles entered this week. Some money and minor items taken. Contact UHPD if you see anything suspicious.

Updates Regarding Election and LOST

The Iowa Attorney General reverses opinion regarding special elections. In a change from what I reported in my council meeting update, U-Heights will NOT be required to hold a special election for the city council seat that Carla Aldrich was appointed to on Tuesday. If citizens' wish to petition for a special election challenging city council's appointment this week, they must file a petition for election by July 22, 2014.

Johnson County Supervisors ask for 10% of Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) money Council will have to decide what the language will be included on our November ballot.

For More information about both of these issues:REVISED City Attorney Report 7/12/14

Mark Your Calendars!

Several major events are quickly approaching.

• City Council Special Meeting is THURSDAY July 24th 6 PM City Office 1004 Melrose. Council will meet to consider bids for the Koser/Oakcrest corner curb replacement. This project will bring the curb ramps into compliance with the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)
• Farmer's Market is TUESDAY Aug. 5th 5-7 PM St. Andrew Parking Lot
• August regular City Council Meeting is TUESDAY Aug. 12th 7 PM Site TBD

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 Here is what I sent out on Wednesday, July 9th:

City Council held their July meeting last night here are some highlights:

Zoning Changes Discussed

Council held a public hearing to begin discussing ordinance 187 which would amend the zoning ordinance to account for One University Place’s residential building’s elevator tops, trellises, and storage space. Council will consider more language in August to accommodate those items without raising the building’s main roof height above the current code’s 76 feet. Council will also continue discussing whether a community center space should be not be counted against the amount of retail space allowed in the front commercial building.

Councilor Appointed

Carla Aldrich, 11 Leamer Court, was appointed to serve on council, replacing Zadok Nampala. Due to a change by the Iowa legislature this last session, there will be a required special election for this seat on Nov. 4, 2014. Carla has said she plans to run for the this seat. The winner of this election will serve until the end of the current term, December 31, 2015.

Local Option Sales Tax (LOST)

Also on the Nov. 4th ballot will be a Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) vote. University Heights will need to come up with language for the citizens to consider. Discussion centered on using LOST funds to pay for a community center. Council will consider the ballot language in August.

My Thoughts on LOST

UPDATE: I wrote my post before seeing today's Press Citizen. Their article has a good summary of how the county-wide aspect of the vote will work. Here is a link to their story about the Iowa City Council passing the ballot initiative last night:

Iowa City Council approves sending sales tax to voters

As I posted earlier, it appears we will have a Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) vote this coming November.

I think it will be important for our citizens to vote YES on this issue. If the measure is passed in a total county vote, we will pay this tax on non-exempt items anywhere we shop in Johnson County. If the measure is passed overall but we as a city vote NO we will not receive any of the revenue. If it is passed and we vote YES we receive a portion of all revenue generated county-wide. If approved the tax would be collected for 10 years.

We as a city will have to decide how to word our ballot measure, explaining how we would use any money received. My strong feeling is that we should earmark this revenue to pay for the community center structure being proposed for One University Place. There has been much discussion about how to pay for this, with TIF (Tax Increment Financing) or bonding being really our only two options. There are people opposed to both choices for various reasons.

I think LOST would be the perfect way to pay for this and an excellent use of what could be one time (10 years) money.