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HOME Prog. Funds Scott Potter D~~~E ~~~ 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 ~ DD~~E ~<Ik-~ 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 3 I 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 \\ "",'l~j It ~&'~ !t,. !J I'" . , ,.1 " iIf ,17 , ~ 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~ ~~~ 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.