HOME Prog. Funds Scott Potter
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MEMORANDUM
November 16, 2005
TO:
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM:
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Application from Scott Potter for HOME Program Funds
Housing and Community Development Department Director David Harris is
recommending that the City support an application by Scott Potter for the Iowa
Department of Economic Development for funds from the Home Investment Partnership
(HOME) Program to build a fourth single room occupancy facility on Garfield Avenue.
This facility would have rooms for 12 low-moderate income men.
At a later time, Mr. Potter intends to petition the City for an Urban Revitalization District
designation, including 10 years of property tax abatement.
Mr. Potter previously had the property rezoned and has obtained the necessary
variances.
Agencies serving the homeless support this facility and the Police Department report
does not show a significant policing problem with the existing facilities.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
(I}ti ~?/lIL
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
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MEMORANDUM
17 November 05
To: MichaellMilligen, City Manager
'-
From: David H is, Housing and Community Development Department
Re: Application from Scott Potter for HOME Program funds
Introduction
The purpose of this memorandum is to request the City Council's consideration of the
attached resolution, indicating support from the city for an application from Scott Potter
to the Iowa Department of Economic Development for HOME Program funds.
Discussion
Scott Potter has built three single room occupancy (SRO) facilities, on Garfield Avenue,
for low and moderate income men, since 2000. He and his family manage these
facilities, totaling 50 rooming units in three structures. He has done an exemplary job in
constructing and managing these facilities. He provides a variety of supportive services
to the residents, including counseling and referrals to other social service agencies, and
demonstrates a genuine level of concern for the welfare of his tenants.
Mr. Potter now intends to construct a fourth facility on Garfield Avenue. He has
purchased the former Garfield House, at the corner of Garfield and Johnson Streets.
He intends to demolish this structure; he then will construct a fourth SRO, with rooms
for 12 low-moderate income men.
Mr. Potter intends to apply to the Department of Economic Development for funds from
the Home Investment Partnership (HOME) Program. He further intends to request that
this property be designated an Urban Revitalization District, for purposes of City
financial assistance through a 10-year property tax abatement on improvements. This
status was conferred on the Davis Place properties previously constructed. These
requests have been justified by the Council for reason of the high costs of new
construction and the low ($250/month) rents allowed under the terms of the previous
financing secured from IDEO for the three Davis Place buildings. The existing District
would be extended across Johnson Street to include the subject property.
Mr. Potter has previously obtained a rezoning, to OR, for this property; and has
obtained variances for reduced frontage setback and a reduction in the number of
required off-street parking spaces.
As mentioned, it is the owner's intent to demolish the building. Although it has not been
designated as an historically significant structure, it has been listed in the Phase II
Historic/Architectural Survey/Evaluation as potentially significant, with additional
research recommended. As the owner is applying directly to IDEO for the HOME funds,
the City will not conduct the required Section 106 review for historic significance.
Instead, Mr. Potter, as the applicant, will make his case directly to the State Historic
Preservation Office for demolition approval.
Because of the concentration of SRO facilities in this area, Mr. Potter was requested to
provide documentation on the need for additional housing of this type. Letters from
referral agencies are attached to this memorandum.
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Council approve this resolution. Service agencies continue
to report an unmet need for the type of housing that Scott Potter is providing. In
particular, the resident supportive services, personal accountability requirements and
family-type atmosphere that the Davis Place residences provide are unique. They are
an essential element in assisting indigent men to achieve self-respect and a new
direction in their lives. Although the proposed project does add to the concentration of
SRO housing in this neighborhood, Mr Potter's management history is uniformly positive
and his efforts appear to be well-supported by neighborhood property owners.
Action Step
The action requested of the City Council is to consider the attached resolution in
support for HOME Program funding for a 12-room SRO, at 601 Garfield Avenue.
att.
2
RESOLUTION NO. 517-05
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING AN APPLICATION FROM SCOTT POTTER TO THE
IOWA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR HOME INVESTMENT
PARTNERSHIP (HOME) PROGRAM FUNDS
WHEREAS, Scott Potter has successfully developed and managed three single
room occupancy (SRO) facilities on Garfield Avenue since 2000; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Potter has worked in collaboration with the Housing and
Community Development Department in obtaining State and local funding for these
facilities; and
WHEREAS, a continuing need for single room occupancy housing remains, as
evidenced by full occupancy and a waiting list at the Davis Place facilities developed by
Mr. Potter; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Potter intends to make application to the Iowa Department of
Economic Development (IDEO) for HOME Program funds to subsidize construction of
another Garfield Avenue facility, for 12 rooming units for low income men.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. The City is supportive of the application from Scott Potter for HOME
Program assistance from the Iowa Department of Economic Development.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 21st day of November, 2005.
Terrance M. Duggan, Mayor
Attest:
Jeanne F. Schneider, City Clerk
~eanne Schneider, CMC, City Clerk
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DUBUQUE COUNTY COMMISSION OF VETERANS AFFAIRS ~~
350 Nesler Centre . Dubuque, Iowa 52001 \~
Phone (563) 589-7840 '
Fax (563) 589-7861
E-Mail: dubvetdesk@dbqco,org
Commissioners
EUGENE SIEGERT
GARLAND FINDLEY
SHARON TRENHOLM
Executive Director
CHARLES BRIM EYER
Administrative Assistant
MICHELLE FITZGIBBONS
November 8, 2005
Scott Potter
511 Garfield
Dubuque, Iowa 52001
Dear Scott:
I know that space i
a place to live, PI
housing you coul
or taking care of the
erans are homeless.
diminished,
Sincerely,
~ that arelfn waiting lists for
i1Qeavors'ri.r any additional
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CDu6uque ~ :Mission
'P.o. (}Jo~147
Vu6uque, I(1Wfl52~147
(563)583-1394
November 4, 2005
Dear Friends,
It is our understanding that Scott Potter is applying for funding to build a fourth SRO for
homeless adult males in Dubuque. This is a greatly needed service, and, ifMr. Potter's
past experience is any indication, I am confident that this new SRO will be successfuL
Mr. Potter not only provides excellent living conditions but also goes the extra mile in
both providing and accessing supportive services to enable this population to maintain a
stable living situation. This knowledge comes from personal experience - a number of our
clients at the Mission have moved on to more permanent housing in Mr. Potter's
properties.
The Dubuque Rescue Mission strongly supports Scott Potter's application for funding to
construct his fourth SRO for adult homeless males in the Dubuque community. Should
you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above address.
For the Board,
f:~~ ~
Acting Director
HOMELESS ADVISORY BOARD
ADDRESSING UNMET NEEDS OF THE HOMELESS POPULATION IN DUBUQUE COUNTY
September I, 2005
,
Dear Continuum of Care m-embers,
It is time for the Continuum of Care meeting. The meeting will be held in the up-stairs
conference room at Operation New View at 1473 Central Avenue. The meeting will be
Tuesday, September 13 at 12:30pm. It will be followed by the Homeless Advisory Board
at I :30pm. Lyle Schwery, Homeless Programs Coordinator, of Iowa Finance Authority
will be the guest speaker.
There is a great need for emergency, transitional, and low income permanent houslDg in
our community. Lyle will speak about funding for these housing opportunities.
The need for housing is particularly important as we head into the winter season. Many
in our community will be facing financial hardships due to escalating heating costs. As a
result, we can expect to see a rise in homeless and near homeless populations.
j encourage you alllo attend this meeting. As you know, hurricane Katrina has ravaged
the Southern coast. The magnitude of the devastation is felt all through the country. ]
have already received calls from the Red Cross and the Dubuque Community Schools
inquiring what services and housing opportunities our community has to offer survivors
relocating in our area. The need for housing opportunities in Dubuque is a pressing issue
that concerns us all. I hope to see you at the meetmg.
If you have any questions, please contact me at (563) 557-8331. We hope you can
attend.
Sincerely,
ju(~ /!w{f~
I
Erica Haugen
Homeless Assistance Coordinator
Project Concern
Hillaest Family Servk;f.'3
220 West tt' Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001
November 9, 2005
To Whom It May Concem,
Dear Sir or Madam:
My name is Deb Burmester and I am the Homeless Outreach Counselor for Hillcresl I am writing in
regards to Scott Potter's request to expand his men's shelter and the need for this. I have contact on a
daily basis with people, both men and women that are homeless. The people in Dubuque have no idea
of how serious the problem of homelessness is. I have a difficutt time keeping these people off the
streets because there are no places available to take them in. The few places Dubuque does have for
people to stay in are always full. We need more places like the Davis House if we are to try and put an
end to homelessness. Thank You for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Deb Burmester
Homeless Outreach Counselor
Th:r'i3~
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MEMORANDUM
Date: September 19, 2005
To: Michael C. Van Milligen
City Manager
From: Kim B. Wadding
Police Chief
Re: Calls for Service - 511/513 Garfield Avenue (Davis Place)
INTRODUCTION:
The purpose of this memorandum is to highlight the calls for service (CFS) for 511 and
513 Garfield Avenue (Davis Place).
BACKGROUND:
On August 15, 2005 a rezoning request was made to the City Council regarding the
property at 2080 Elm Street. The applicant is proposing the creation of a 20-room SRO
boarding house. In consideration of the request, a review of the calls for service was
completed for the immediate area of the proposed facility. Additionally, a request for the
calls for service for Davis Place, 511 & 513 Garfield Avenue, a similar type facility for
men, was requested for review.
DISCUSSION:
The calls for service for Davis Place, 511 and 513 Garfield Avenue, are from the period
of January 1, 2004 to September 19, 2005 (20 months). There were 52 calls for
service. Of the 52 calls for service, 41 were for 511 Garfield Avenue and 11 for 513
Garfield. Of those calls, seven reports were filed by police and 45 calls were handled
by the responding officer/unit(s). The call type, description and disposition are listed
below:
Theft
Theft
1
1
Unknown Pro ert
Theft of Bic cle
Cancelled
Offense Re ort Filed
Criminal Mischief
1
Vehicle Vandalized in Aile
Handled b Officer
Assault
1
Handled b Officer
Intoxication 1 Intoxicated Tenant Mental Health ReDort
Intoxication 1 Intoxicated Tenant Report Filed
Traffic StOD 1 Vehicle StoD in Front of Buildina Handled bv Officer
Traffic StoP 4 Vehicle Stops Near Buildina Reports Filed
Parkinn 4 Private Lot Tickets Reports Filed
Missina Vehicle 1 Vehicle MissinQ I Located Handled bv Officer
Disturbance 1 Loud Kids Outside Handled bv Officer
Disturbance 2 Loud Tenants Handled bv Officer
Disturbance 1 Man YellinQ in Allev Handled bv Officer
Disturbance 1 Two Tenants FiQhlinQ Handled bv Officer
Ambulance Call 4 Breathing Problems Cleared bv Fire
Ambulance Call 3 Subiect Fell Down Cleared bv Fire
Ambulance Call 1 Subject with Abdominal Pain Cleared bv Fire
Ambulance Call 1 Diabetic Subiect Cleared bv Fire
Ambulance Call 1 Subject havinQ a Seizure Cleared bv Fire
Ambulance Call 1 Subiect with Chest Pains Cleared bv Fire
Misc. Assistance 4 Warrant Service ReDort Filed
Misc. Assistance 3 Warrant Service Handled bv Officer
Misc. Assistance 4 Warrant Checks Handled bv Officer
Misc. Assistance 4 Welfare Checks I Health Related Handled bv Officer
Misc. Assistance 2 Suspicious People Outside Handled bv Officer
Misc. Assistance 1 MissinQ Adult Handled bv Officer
Misc. Assistance 1 Welfare Check I Suicidal Subiect Mental Health Report
Misc. Assistance 1 Susnicious Vehicle Handled bv Officer
TOTAL 52
RECOMMENDATION:
For Informational Purposes.
ACTION REQUESTED:
For Informational Purposes, no action required.