Minutes-08/08/1984

The Tiffin City Council met in regular session on August 8, 1984 at the Tiffin Methodist Church. Mayor Potter called meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Councilmembers present were Cox, Morgan, Kobold, Spivey, Stevens. Also present were Aspelmeier, Jud TePaske, Attorney Greenelaf, Engineer Russell Schneider, Lloyd Williams and Beverly Birtcher. During community forum council directed attorney to draw up amendment for animal control ordinance which would make it unlawful for anyone to keep exotic pets such as snakes, cougars, etc. in Tiffin. Motion Stevens second Kobold to approve minutes of July 11, 1984 and special meetings August 3, 1984 and August 6, 1984. Carried unanimously. Motion Spivey second Morgan to approve agenda. Carried unanimously. Attorney reported that he found nothing in Iowa statute or Tiffin ordinances which would prohibit approval of Beverly Birtcher's application for building permit for manufactured home at 312 Grant Street. He reported that Iowa City has ordinance before council which would prohibit any residence less than 20 feet wide. This would limit manufactured home to double wides and would also apply to site built homes. All manufactured home have to meet requirements defined in federal code. Most mobile homes built before 1976 do not meet this requirement. The 20 foot width requirement is the best way to regulate because it does not totally exclude manufactured homes. It would avoid putting smaller homes which are out of proportion to larger homes in the city. Morgan: I have nothing against Bev's home, but I wouldn't want a small trailer next to my house. Bev's looks nice, but what about the next one? Spivey: If federal code set guidelines there must be some type of standards. Morgan: A 1976 is already 8 or 9 years old. Attorney: Manufactured homes can only be properly inspected at plant and have proof of inspection stamped on outside. That requirement is allowed under state code. Iowa code allows manufactured home to be placed on permanent foundation and converted to real property as so taxed. Iowa City's ordinance will require a 20 foot width, converted to real property and meet federal code requirements of manufactured homes. Tiffin could have more problems than Iowa City because Tiffin probably does not have restrictive covenants with the land and have more open space.