HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-06-02 Correspondence AlenaMeade.
MAY 2, 5 1999 2331 3401h St. SW
Tiffin, I'A 52340
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICEMay 3, 1999
Dear Iowa City City Council:
My name is Alena Meade. I am an eighth grader at Northwest Jr. High in Coralville. My
reason for writing to you is that I am concerned about the deer problem of Iowa
City/Coralville and surrounding area. As a school project I have put together a Power
Point presentation to show how much we need a deer control plan. This was a class
assignment. I ask you to please write a response, so my teacher may have proof that I have
completed the assignment and that you have seen it.
The next part of this letter will be a guide through the Power Point presentation I have
mentioned.
1. The first slide of my presentation is intended to introduce the presentation. It shows
that the presentation is about the deer overpopulation in the Iowa City/Johnson County
area.
2. Slide number two shows some of the main points of my presentation The first ~_,,_e,
Creating a Balance, is to tell people that I am not going to talk about killing deer or saving
them. I really want to make sure people understand I want to recreate a balance in nature,
not kill or save deer, directly.
The second point is that there are, of course, pros and cons to creating a deer
control plan. I understand hova dicisio_n_ maki~n_g bodies are challanged in many ways when
they make such decisions. I hope that you do not think me to be undermining your job,
and I understand that this is going to be a challange.
Point number three is almost the same as the first point. It sb_ows that my m_aln gaal
is to create a balance between humans and deer. I hope to create a plan that helps both deer
and humans, not just the people.
3. The third slide is all about the connection between the deer overpopulation and the
number of vehicle accidents in the area. As explained in the text, the rise in deer numbers
has caused the number of accidents around Iowa City to increase. This puts the animals
and people at risk. I hope that seeing this presentation will show the council members that
I am concerned for the well being of the human and non-human members of this
community. I hope to move you to take some action on this issue, for everyone's sake.
4. Slide four is pretty much self explanitory. It is a list of the pros and cons of making and
carrying out a deer control plan. I know this is only the tip of the iceberg, and I understand
how hard it must be to convince some people it is the fight thing to do. I am only trying to
show you that I, as a member of the community, would support a plan like this.
5. The fifth card is a few points of a control plan for the deer population. I know this is
hardly even the foundation of a plan, but it must do for the point I am trying to make. !
would like to know though, how expensive these programs would really be.
6. The sixth, and last, is a conclusion of my presentation. ! have twa m?.in paints. This is
a very important presentation for me, I hope I was able to make a difference, even a small
one. Thank you.
I hope this presentation showed you that Iowa City/Coralville's youth are in touch with the
ecological situation of their city. I also hope it has moved the viewer to start a campaign of
deer control for the well being of the animals and the people who live in Iowa City and
Coralville. Please send me a letter with your response to the presentation, I need proof to
receive credit for the project. You can also e-mail me at: karrottolMO@hotmail .com.
Thank you very much for your time.
Sincerely,
AlenaMeade
Animal PopuLation Control
Iowa City/Johnson County
Deer Overpopulation
Animal PopuLation Control
Creating a Balance
The Pros and Cons
Deer and Humans in Iowa City and
Johnson County
2
Deer overpopU_ation
As the deer
population rose, the
number of
deedvehicle
accidents has also.
This is a deffinite
cause for concern,
states the Kent Park
Deer Control Plan.
Both animals and
humans are at risk.
3
Pros & Cons
With animal control,
specifically deer,
there will be fewer
vehicle/animal
accidents, and less
chance of injury to
either humans or
deer.
Animals will have
more food, space,
and less disease.
Some animal rights
activists will be against
animal control. But
are they really thinking
of the animals?
(Second point first list)
Animal control could
be costly if, for
instance, a sollution
like deportment of the
animals is chosen.
4
The PLan
A combination of elements is going to be
needed in making an effective plan.
Sharpshooting, deportation, and a
spaying and neutering program will
probably be the best choices.
Another thing is that hunting regulations
may be altered to accomodate the plan.
5
the Pro' 2em, the P2an, the End
In this presentation I hope to have
presented information to show the
viewer how local animal control is not
only necessary, but is also good for the
health of the animals.
The plan for animal control needs to
satisfy as many parties as possible, but
is also needs to be started somewere
and sometime, and that time has come.
6
May 25, 1999
Ms. Alena Meade
2331 340th Street SW
Tiffin, IA 52340
Dear Alena:
Today we received your letter and PowerPoint presentation regarding deer
management. As you requested, Council will receive the information in their
June 2 Formal Meeting packet to be accepted on the Consent Calendar as
official correspondence.
I have also taken the liberty to distribute your letter and presentation to the
citizens Deer Management Committee.
Thank you for taking the time to research deer options. It is always
important to hear what folks think about an issue and it is particularly
encouraging to hear from young citizens.
Please feel free to call me if you have any questions about Iowa City's Deer
Management Plan.
Administrative Assistant
to the City Manager
c: City Council
City Manager
410 EAST XVASIIINGTON STREET * IOWA ('1'I~, IOWA 52240-1826 · (319) 356-5000 * FAX {319} 356-5009
Marian Karr
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
D. Norton [denorton@blue.weeg.uiowa.edu]
Friday, May 21, 1999 8:12 AM
Madan, City Clerk Karr
Bus Route Schedule Change (fwd)
FYI/A Ciao, Dee
.......... Forwarded message ..........
Date: Thu, 20 May 1999 11:09:50 -0500
From: Barb McFarland <barbara-mcfarland@uiowa.edu>
To: denorton@blue.weeg.uiowa.edu
Subject: Bus Route Schedule Change
Since you are the only Council member with an e-mail address, I am sending
this plea to you and hope you will share it with the other council members.
Please do not change the North Dodge Route away from Kimball Ave. I live on
Whiting Ave. and one of the reasons for buying our house was because of the
close proximity of the bus route. I use the bus to get to and from work.
The Shimek B.A.S.P. utilizes it to take the children on field trips to the
downtown area. Also, there are many children in the neighborhood who will
eventually be in need of this part of the routes services to get to City
High. I feel it would be a disservice to many people to move the bus route
farther away.
Perhaps a compromise could be reached in which the service was continued
during the hours needed so people can get to and from work and school.
Please give this some thought and consideration.
Thank you,
Barb McFarland
626 Whiting Ave.
Iowa City, IA 52245
Dear City Council Members of Iowa City:
May 13, 1999
CITY MANAGER'S OFFIGE
I understand that the council is presently considering action that would change the
Iowa City bus routes, especially during off-peak times. There are several reasons why I
think that such a change would be a serious mistake for Iowa City.
To cut back bus services while supporting the building of new parking facilities in
downtown Iowa City sends a strong message to residents that the city's leadership does
not wish to encourage public transportation. I believe that this is a time when public
transportation ought to be vigorously encouraged. Bus travel reduces downtown traffic
and the stress associated with it; it reduces the need for new expenditures for parking
facilities; it reduces energy consumption and pollution; especially when the weather is
bad, it enables more effective street clearing and increases motor travel safety; on a
more ethereal, yet nevertheless important, level it strengthens the bonds of community
at a time when so many residents feel isolated and alone.
To cut back on bus route coverage during non-peak hours will cause several
hardships for persons in outlying areas. First, persons who do not have cars and are
completely dependent upon public transportation for getting to and from work or other
engagements need dependable, frequent transportation with ready access. A vote for
cutting back on bus services is a vote against the interests of the city's poor,
handicapped, and dependent. Second, if the proposed changes were enacted, women
like myself who need frequently to travel to and from campus during non-peak hours
would have to walk several extra blocks to get home, commonly in the dark. This poses
a significant danger for us. At a time when the U of I administration is promoting safety
for women on campus, it would be a shame if the city were to move in the opposite
direction. Third, I am frequently called to come get one of my children at school, during
the middle of the day, due to illness. At that point, I have to take my bus home, get my
car, and drive to their school. As it is, I sometimes have to wait a full hour to get the bus,
but if I had to also walk several extra blocks to get home, this would further undermine
my ability to fulfill my parenting responsibilities. In short, my children would suffer.
The risk that public transportation will shrink is likely a big factor in enticing people to
give up on it. The hope of many is that by avoiding public transportation they will have
more "control" over their !ives. !tonically, what we will all have is more crowding, more
pollution, less safety, less opportunity, less fairness, less community, and more stress.
Please vote NOT to change current bus schedules.
Sincerely,
Dr. Diana Fritz Cates
3532 Vista Park Drive
Iowa City, IA 52245
To the Mayor and Council
City of Iowa City
Civic Center
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
Re: Transit Proposals--Manville Route
Gentles:
On the agenda for your meeting of May 18 will be pro-
posals from the Transit staff in response to your request
for a "reallocation of resources" study. You asked them to
study bus routes and schedules to see if changes could be
made that would increase ridership.
Transit staff conducted an informational public hearing
on possible route and schedule changes on May 6. I artended
that meeting and my comments are Dased on what I learned
there.
One of the proposals is to eliminate all service on the
Manville Heights route during off-peak hours and to allocate
those resources to the Towncrest route with the hope that
ridership on that route would be increased.
"Average ridership" figures were calculated for all
routes. A colorful pie chart shows that the Manville route
had the lowest average and Towncrest had the highest.
Because Manville has the fewest riders and Towncrest the
most, we should take busses off the Manville route and
increase schedules on the Towncrest route to attract more
riders.
Does this silly playing with numbers tell us anything
--Page 2
about the number of potential riders in the neighborhoods
served by the various bus routes? Do we have even rough pop-
ulation counts? How far from a bus route does a person need
to live to be regarded as a potential rider? What is the
budget for the informational and advertising campaigns that
will be needed to attract new riders?
All we know for sure is that when busses no longer run,
ridership will decline. In fact, disappear.
But not really. Riders are people, and the really impor-
tant matter we must consider is how will they cope without
the busses they have depended on for their primary mode of
transportation. Their choices are to ask friends and neigh-
bors for rides, walk, or rely on SEATS.
For the most part, people who ride busses cannot drive
autos, or cannot afford to. People who are able to drive, and
who can afford to, prefer to. It's that simple; folks like
to drive cars. Mass transit is a losing business; if it is
to serve the aged, the disabled, the poor, it must be sub-
sidized.
Working people and students make up the bulk of riders
during peak periods; during off-peak periods, the aged and
the disadvantaged comprise the great majority.
Iowa City has had an excellent transit system, much
better than most other cities its size and better than many
larger places. The drivers and other staff are competent and
friendly; the equipment is clean and well maintained.
Let's work together to keep this system and plan to
improve its service to all members of the community. The
--Page 3
city is growing; it is sprawling. We need to make plans now
to enlarge the route structure and add equipment. The tax
rolls are expanding; assessed valuations are rising.
We have the resources, and they will increase. Let's do
what we must to ensure that we have a transit system to
serve all the people of this great area.
And by all means, let's put an end to statistical chi-
canery!
Sincerely,
jeg~w~BeB. Mather
606 Holt Avenue
TO: Iowa City Council Members
FROM: Mrs. F. X. Cretzmeyer, Jr.
RE: Library addition: A senior citizen's view
May 16,1999
i do not support enlarging the Iowa City Public Library for the following reasons:
1. The down town library is inaccessible to seniors with limited mobility and others with
disabilities. My husband has never been in the library because of poor parking availability -
one handicapped with 15 minute time limit. We use Coralville.
2. Downtown Iowa City is a student environment. Many citizens do not use the downtown
because of this. The students are very important to our community. We are better financially
and esthetically because of them. They keep us young - but out of downtown.
3. The senior population will be increasing each year. This fine city draws retirees who like a
quiet and less congested environment for a library. Seniors are a large percentage of library
users. Those living in the downtown will always come, but not those from further away.
4. There are rnany vacant buildings in Iowa City that could be used - Randalls and the Sears
store on the east side for example; both with great parking.
If the vote comes to enlarge the present library, many of us will again vote against it as we don't
use the downtown for many of the above stated reasons.
Mrs. F. X. Cretzmeyer, Jr.
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
Date:
To:
From:
Re:
May 25, 1999
City Clerk
Doug Ripley, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner
Installation of Stop Signs at Court Street intersections east of Scott Boulevard
As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3B of the City Code, this is to advise the City Council of
the following action. Unless directed otherwise by the City Council, this action will occur on or
shortly after June 9, 1999.
Action
Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A(5) of the City Code, stop signs will be installed requiring vehicles to
stop and yield the right-of-way to Court Street at the following intersecting streets:
Scott Park Drive (north of Court Street)
Scott Park Drive (south of Court Street)
Scott Park Drive (east intersection)
Comment
This action is being taken consistent with arterial street policies to control side street traffic in order
to maintain the traffic flow on the arterial street.
Im\mem\dr5-24-2 .doc
Date:
To:
From:
Re:
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
May 25, 1999
CityClerk
Doug Ripley, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner
Installation of Stop Signs at Scott Boulevard intersections with Scott Six Industrial Park
As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3B of the City Code, this is to advise the City Council of
the following action. Unless directed otherwise by the City Council, this action will occur on or
shortly after June 9, 1999.
Action
Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A(5) of the City Code, stop signs will be installed requiring vehicles to
stop and yield the right-of-way to Scott Boulevard at the following intersecting streets: Liberty Drive
Freedom Court (south intersection)
Freedom Court (north intersection)
Comment
This action is being taken consistent with arterial street policies to control side street in order traffic
to maintain traffic flow on the arterial street.
Im\mem\dr5-24.doc
May 12, 1999
RECEIVED I IAY I
TO: The Honorable Mayor and the City Council
RE: Civil Service Entrance Examination-
DISPATCHER
EMERGENCY
COMMUNICATIONS
We, the undersigned members of the Civil Service Commission of Iowa City, Iowa, do hereby certify
the following named person(s) as eligible for the position of Emergency Communications Dispatcher.
Lola Scmitt
SERVICE
ATTEST:
410 EAST XYASHINGTON STREET · IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240-1826 · 1319) 356-5000 * FAX (319} 356-5009