Urban Revita Applications 2002MEMORANDUM
February 10, 2003
TO:The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM:Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT:Calendar Year 2002 Urban Revitalization Program Applications
Housing and Community Development Department Director David Harris is
recommending City Council approval of the 2002 applications for residential property
tax exemption, and that they then be forwarded to the City Assessor for final review and
determination of the amount of property tax exemption.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
David Harris, Housing and Community Development Department Director
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
MEMORANDUM
TO:Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM:David Harris, Housing and Community Development Department
SUBJECT:Calendar year 2002 Urban Revitalization Program Applications
February 9 2003
INTRODUCTION
This memorandum presents for City Council consideration the following resolution
related to the 2002 applications for residential property tax exemption. The resolution
approves the timely residential property tax exemption applications filed in accordance
with the Urban Revitalization ordinance and directs that the approved applications be
forwarded to the City Assessor.
BACKGROUND
In 1980, the City Council established, under the guidelines set forth in Chapter 404 of
the Code of Iowa, Dubuque's first two Urban Revitalization Areas - Jackson Park Urban
Revitalization Area and West 11th Street Urban Revitalization Area. In 1981, the City
designated the Washington Street Urban Revitalization Area and in 1995, designated
the Upper Main Urban Revitalization Area. The Garfield Place Urban Revitalization
Area was designated as an Urban Revitalization Area in 2000 and amended in June
2002. The Stout Place (Iowa Inn) area was designated in 1998, and amended by the
Council on March 5, 2001 to extend the duration of this Urban Revitalization area. In
December 2002 the Langworthy, Old Main and Cathedral Urban Revitalization areas
were designated. Additionally, a number of other small areas have been designated
over the years, but these designations have expired.
The purpose of the Urban Revitalization legislation is to attract development to specific
areas, which might otherwise continue to deteriorate, thereby stabilizing and eventually
increasing the tax base within those areas. The exemptions are intended to stimulate
private investment by reducing the tax increases that would normally result from making
improvements to residential property.
Process
Applications for tax exemption are accepted until February 1 of each year. The
Housing and Community Development Department reviews applications to ensure
properties are located in a designated area. Staff from Building Services and Housing
and Community Development complete an inspection of the property to determine if the
improvements have been completed and are in general conformance with the area plan
and if necessary, building permits have been obtained. Applications are presented to
the City Council for consideration. If the City Council finds them to be in compliance
with the appropriate urban revitalization plan, they are forwarded to the City Assessor
who inspects the properties, determines the assessable value of the new improvements
and transmits this information to the County Auditor. The City Assessor must receive
applications by March 1 to receive the tax abatement.
The tax exemption is for a period of 10 years and represents 100% of the assessed
valuation added by the qualifying improvements.
DISCUSSION
On or before February 1, 2003, a total of 16 timely applications were received. Two
applications, upon review by staff, were determined not to conform to the Urban
Revitalization Area Plan. The following applications were reviewed and approved:
West 11th Street Urban Revitalization Area
Deborah LaBeau, 1133 Highland Place
William Alfredo, 1155 Grove Terrace
Plastic Center Inc, 1243 Locust
Vickie Klinkhammer, 1630 Cornell
Jerold and Karen Lubben, 480 Arlington
Richard and Judith Henkel, 542 W 11th
Luke & Sara Runde, 557 W16th
Sherry Driscoll, 761 Rose
S & S Investments, 907-909 Spruce
Steve Cook, 525 Loras
Garfield Place Area
Scott A. Potter, 513 Garfield
Washington Street Urban Revitalization Area
Charlotte Hanley, 1938 % Washington
Steve Cook, 1605 White
Upper Main Urban Revitalization Area
Steve Cook, 1338 Main Street
RECOMMENDATION
I recommend that all eligible applications included in the attached resolution be
approved and forwarded to the City Assessor for final review and determination of the
amount of property tax exemption.
ACTION STEP
The Action Step is for the City Council to receive and file eligible tax exemption
applications and this staff report and adopt the attached resolution.
Prepared by Aggie Kramer, Community Development Specialist
F:\USERS',AKRAMER\Urban Re'~e\~ app memo.doc
RESOLUTION NO. 47-03
RESOLUTION APPROVING RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION
APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED BY PROPERTY OWNERS IN RECOGNIZED
URBAN REVITALIZATION AREAS AND AUTHORIZING THE TRANSMITTAL
OF THE APPROVED APPLICATIONS TO THE CITY TAX ASSESSOR
Whereas, Chapter 404 of the Code of Iowa, the Urban Revitalization Act, permits
cities to exempt property taxes for improvements made to properties in designated
revitalization areas; and
Whereas, the Urban Revitalization Act requires property owners to submit a written
application for exemption by February 1 of the assessment year for which the exemption is
first claimed, and further requires the City Council to approve all applications that meet the
requirements of the adopted Urban Revitalization Plan and forward the approved
applications to the City Assessor for review by March 1 of each year; and
Whereas, pursuant to the requirements of said Urban Revitalization Act, the following
Urban Revitalization Areas were established: Washington Street, Jackson Park, West 11th
Street, Upper Main Street, Garfield Place, Langworthy, Cathedral and Old Main; and
Whereas, the City of Dubuque, as of February 1, 2003, received tax exemption
applications from the following property owners in the aforementioned urban revitalization
district.
West 11th Street Urban Revitalization Area
Deborah LaBeau, 1133 Highland Place
William Alfredo, 1155 Grove Terrace
Plastic Center Inc, 1243 Locust
Vickie Klinkhammer, 1630 Cornell
Jerold and Karen Lubben, 480 Arlington
Richard and Judith Henkel, 542 W 11t~
Luke & Sara Runde, 557 W16th
Sherry Ddscoll, 761 Rose
S & S Investments, 907-909 Spruce
Steve Cook, 525 Lores
Garfield Place Area
Scott A. Potter, 513 Garfield
Wash n.qton Street Urban Revitalization Area
Charlotte Hanley, 1938 % Washington
Steve Cook, 1605 White
Upper Main Urban Revitalization Area
Steve Cook, 1338 Main Street
Services have reviewed the above-described applications and inspected the properties, and
have determined that the applications and the improvements conform to all requirements of
the City of Dubuque's Urban Revitalization Plan contingent upon obtaining all required
building permits.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. That the above-described tax exemption applications meet the
requirements of the City of Dubuque's Urban Revitalization Plan.
Section 2. That the above-described tax exemption applications are hereby approved
by the City Council, subject to obtaining all necessary building permits and subject to the
review and approval of the City Assessor.
Section 3. That the City Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to forward the above-
described tax exemption applications to the City Assessor.
Passed, approved and adopted this 17th day of February, 2003.
Roy D. Buol, Mayor Pro-Tem
Attest:
Jeanne F. Schneider, City Clerk
F:\UsersVM(P, AMER\Urban Revite~Annual Apps\UrbanRevitRes 03.doc