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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-05-15 Correspondencer ^� CITY OF IOWA CITY 3f(1) MEMORANDU M Date: May 1St, 2012 To: City Clerk From: Darian Nagle -Gamm, Traffic Engineering Planner Re: Item for the May 15th, 2012 City Council meeting; Change of parking meter terms from 30 minutes to 2 hours for spaces numbered G205N and G207N on the 300 block of East Market Street. As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3B of the City Code, this is to advise the City Council of the following action. Action: Pursuant to Section 9 -1 -3A (17), Change parking meter terms from 30 minutes to 2 hours for spaces numbered G205N and G207N on the 300 block of East Market Street. Comment: This action is being taken to provide additional time for the two metered parking spaces in front of 330 East Market Street (Blue Bird Diner). This action is being taken at the request of the Transportation Services department. Date: May 1St, 2012 CITY OF IOWA CITY 3' MEMORANDUM -- To: City Clerk From: Darian Nagle -Gamm, Traffic Engineering Planne Re: Item for May 15th, 2012 City Council meeting; Installation of (1) NO PARKING CORNER TO HERE sign on the southwest corner of the intersection of Waterfront Drive and Southgate Avenue. As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3B of the City Code, this is to advise the City Council of the following action. Action: Pursuant to Section 9 -1 -3A (10); Install (1) NO PARKING CORNER TO HERE sign on the southwest corner of the intersection of Waterfront Drive and Southgate Avenue. Comment: This action was requested by Durham School Services to allow for the turning movement of school buses. 3f(3) Marian Karr From: Steve Long Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2012 3:37 PM To: Marian Karr Cc: John Yapp Subject: Fwd: Safety Concern FYI Begin forwarded message: From: Jesse Burns <jessekburnshousing.com> Date: May 2, 2012 3:28:38 PM CDT To: 'Steve Long' <Steve- Long_giowa- cit�org> Subject: Safety Concern Hello Steve, I am not one to complain and I was not sure who I should send this to at the City. Would you please forward it to the appropriate person /department and the Council? Thank you. Jesse Burns ISSUE: Safety concern with pedestrian and vehicle intersections on Market & Linn Streets, and Jefferson and Linn Streets: In recent months signs were placed in the center of the streets that have only added to the confusion at these intersections. At certain times of the day it is very bad due to rush hour traffic as well as times between classes. Vehicle drivers as well as pedestrians are still confused as to who has the right of way, at what point they have the right of way, whether to start or stop moving. Confusion will lead to accidents. I drive this route multiple times daily and experience this first hand as well as witness others. Also adding to the problem is that cars are parked along these intersections which make it more difficult to see children or persons in wheel- chairs. Additionally, due to the east/west facing directions of these streets, the problem is compounded by sun glare at certain times of the day /year. Can some other form of signage or signaling be done to make these intersections safer? Ideas: Remove current signage in streets and install clear instructions such as 1. Install a four -way stop for vehicles and pedestrians. or 2. Install pedestrian push- button activated lighted signals similar the pedestrian crosswalk on Clinton Street in front of the Old Capital Mall. It seems like Market and Jefferson are as busy as or even busier than the Clinton Street example. 3. Other? Marian Karr 3f(4) From: sherry Amber <boobooberr @hotmail.com> Sent: Friday, May 04, 2012 10:46 AM To: Chris O'Brien; Council; Matt Hayek; Tom Markus Subject: FW: Request for Transit Policy Change Mr. Obrien, Thank you for your response regarding my request for policy modification. I feel that we are approaching a consensus with the city transit policies and an understanding of some of the special needs. I would like to further bridge the gap in our common desire to afford the safest and most reliable transit system in Iowa. The policies that you cite, address members of the general public, however, I a person with a disability that uses a service dog among others with special needs, would like to have a transit system that is more accessible. This would require the Iowa City transit to modify its existing policies along with continuing education and enforcement. The City of Iowa City could encourage bus drivers to provide better customer service. In nearly every case, if the bus driver demonstrated more consideration to passengers needs and service, many issues could be avoided. I would be willing to get signatures and letters campaigning for change if we can't come to an agreement to correct policies in compliance with the ADA, 49 CFR, and other laws that protect the rights of persons with disabilities and others with special needs. Shery and Amber Christoffer From: Chris- OBrien @iowa- city.org To: boobooberr @hotmail.com; Tom - Markus @iowa- city.org; Council - @iowa - city.org; Matt- Hayek @iowa- city.org Subject: RE: Request for Transit Policy Change Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:33:27 +0000 1 1.) 2.) 3.) Ms. Christoffer, I have reviewed your e-mail and have identified three concerns /policies that you have outlined: Waiting for passengers to be seated prior to departing a bus stop — This is a stated policy of Iowa City Transit located in our operating manual for new hires. This document is given to every employee upon hire and any amendments distributed as they occur. In addition, we post memos at different times during the year to remind drivers of this policy. Asking boarding passengers to wait until those departing through the front doors have exited the bus - We try to encourage passengers on the bus to de -board through the rear doors to minimize the conflicts in the entrance doors of the bus. In circumstances where that is not possible we will ask those boarding the bus to please wait until all have exited. We have posted a memo for our drivers outlining this procedure and will repost as a reminder. We will also add this language to our operating manual. Providing a safe & convenient alternative bus stop location when a regular stop is not accessible - Our current policy for allowing passengers to de -board the bus is to allow this at designated bus stops during peak hours and to additionally drop off at safe intersections during off peak hours. In the event that a bus stop is not able to be serviced we will designate a safe alternative location to stop. In these situations, signs are placed on the affected bus stop announcing its closure and listing alternative locations. In addition, we will post the closure on our www.ebongo.org website and send out alerts to those who subscribe. We also have temporary bus stop signs that can be placed in the event that a safe location can be found near the bus stop that is out of service. I hope that this addresses your concerns regarding the transit service that we provide. Please feel free to contact me directly if you have any additional questions or concerns or need further clarification. Chris O'Brien Director of Transportation Services City of Iowa City (319)356 -5156 Chris- obrien @iowa- city.org From: sherry Amber [mailto:boobooberr @hotmail.com] Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2012 12:57 PM To: Tom Markus; Council; Matt Hayek; Chris O'Brien Subject: FW: Request for Transit Policy Change Dear City Officials, My name is Sherry Christoffer and a person with a disability. I have epilepsy and use a service dog. I use city transit services several times each day to get me around the city. In the course of riding on City Transit, I have encountered some difficulties that interfere with access and safety. Some of these difficulties could be remedied by enforcement of your existing policies. The best example of this is the policy that drivers will wait until all passengers are seated before starting to move. When the bus moves before persons with disabilities - -or in my case my service animal -- are seated, it puts us in greater jeopardy of harm than someone without a disability. My most urgent concern however, involves polices that need to be modified to make it safe for a person with disability to ride the bus. This request stems from two recent experiences that illustrate the need for these modifications. On 7/19/111 was riding the 2pm Cross Park bus home and we encountered some construction at my regular stop. There was also an extreme heat advisory in effect that day as well. Drivers generally had dropped me off and picked me up immediately before the designated stop which was safe for me and my service dog. On this day I pulled the cord prior to this stop, however the driver did not stop and continued driving the bus even though I had asked the driver to stop the bus several times. He continued to drive to the next stop which was several blocks away. I asked the driver why he would not stop where other drivers would. He told me that he was not the other drivers. I then had to walk several blocks with my service dog in the oppressive heat, which put my dog in danger of heat stroke and put me in danger of having a seizure. I contacted Chris O'Brien and Susan Bethal at the Iowa City Transit about this incident. Chris replied that he would look into it. Another incident had occurred on 10/3/11 on the Broadway bus at the Sycamore Mall stop. Jeff was the driver that day. As I was exiting the bus people were rushing on. When I was at the top step of the bus near the driver when I heard a woman yelling, "Stop hitting that dog!" She yelled this several times. When I turned to look at my sevice dog I saw a kid repeatedly hitting her. I intervened and managed to separate my dog from the kid and told him to stop hitting her. I immediately turned around to Jeff the driver and asked if he could get people to wait until I could exit the bus safely with my service dog. He told me that I would have to go to management. On 10/5/111 immediately went to discuss this with Stephanie Bowers, Iowa City Human Rights Coordinator. She stated that she would address this with Iowa City Transit authorities and, per my request, give me copies of all communication regarding this matter. Fifteen minutes after this meeting I emailed Susan and Chris at Iowa City Transit to inform them that I had talked with Stephanie to address establishing policies which would address these issues. A number of other persons have expressed having similar issues. 3 The aforementioned issues are exigent circumstances which are addressed under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). I, as a person with a disability protected under Title II of the ADA and 49 CFR parts 27, 37 and 38, am requesting a modification of your policies so that I may use city transit safely with my service dog. Following are the policies that I am requesting to be modified: These policy changes will allow all persons who use the city transit to ride more safely to and from their destination with minimal changes in expectations from transit drivers. Following is the email I had sent to Susan and Chris, including their responses. From: sherry Amber [mailto:boobooberr @hotmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, October 05, 201112:17 PM Subject: Exigent Circumstances Susan and Chris, I spoke with Stephanie Bowers at the IC Human Rights Commission on Oct. 5, 2011 at 11:30am. My concerns were about how the Iowa City transit needs to modify transit policy in exigent circumstances. (1) driver needs to tell people to wait until dog and owner are off the bus before boarding, for the safety of passengers and service dog team. We try to encourage passengers on the bus to de -board through the rear doors to minimize the conflicts in the entrance doors of the bus. In circumstances where that is not possible we try to suggest to those boarding the bus to please wait until all have exited. We will make sure that we put out a reminder, however, we can only suggest the behavior as we have no mechanism to force those waiting to board to wait. (2) to pick up and drop off when it is safe to do so when asked by passengers, especially in inclement weather. Our current policy for dropping off passengers is to drop off only at designated bus stops during our peak hours and to additionally drop off at intersections during off peak hours. Should a stop be out of service due to construction or for other reasons, we will stop at an alternative location that is safe for all parties involved. In those situations, we will send out a press release, post a notice on the closed stop and establish the alternative location. From: Susan- BetheMiowa- city.org To: boobooberr hotmail.com CC: Chris- OBrien@iowa- city.orq Subject: RE: Transit reminder Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2011 18:01:17 +0000 9/22/11 Sherry, I am writing in response to complaints you have lodged regarding various trips on Iowa City buses. Several of your complaints address the issue of drivers not waiting for you and your service animal to be seated before the bus starts moving. Our investigation into these incidents did confirm some of those assertions. To address the matter fully, we have spoken to the individual drivers as needed, and also issued a memo to all drivers reminding them of the importance of waiting for passengers to be seated. If this continues to be a problem, please let us know. Another of your complaints was in reference to a Crosspark trip on July 19, 2011. On that day and throughout the prior week there was construction going on at the location of your regular bus stop. Iowa City Transit had issued press releases via e-mail, text alerts and newspaper, letting people know that stop #7024 was closed. Both drivers and passengers were instructed to utilize the bus stop at Hills Bank and the bus stop at Gilbert and Southgate Ave as alternative stops. Our investigation into the matter supports the action of our driver that day. The fact that other drivers did not follow that procedure is unfortunate because it creates a negative situation for drivers that do follow policy. I am truly sorry that this was an inconvenience for you. Please understand that detours and closed stops are done so as a safety requirement, and usually at the request of other city departments who are doing the work. Video footage from buses is available for a charge. To acquire video it is necessary to submit a request in writing, which includes an explanation as to why the video is needed. Requests may be submitted to either the Transportation Services Department Director, or to the city Attorney's Office. Keep in mind that video footage is kept on file for a limited time period so it is necessary to make those requests as soon after an incident as possible. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Thanks, Susan Bethel Iowa City Transportation Services 356 -5094 The following is the email sent out to Stefanie Bowers: From: sherry Amber [maiito:boobooberr @hotmail.com] Sent: Thursday, December 01, 201111:51 AM To: Stefanie Bowers Subject: FW: Exigent Circumstances Stefanie, Just a reminder that I have not heard back from you on this exigent circumstance of my service dog being assaulted on the bus. I came to talk to you on Oct 5th about my concerns on getting immediate action for the transit to modify their policy as to make people wait until I can disembark the bus safely with my service dog. Why have I not heard anything from you? Sherry To 'sherry Amber', Chris O'Brien From: � Stefanie Bowers (Stefanie- Bowers @iowa- city.org) Sent: Thu 12/01/11 1:06 PM To: 'sherry Amber' (boobooberr @hotmail.com) Cc: Chris O'Brien (Chris- OBrien @iowa - city.org) Sherry- It is my understanding that Chris O'Brien has responded to you concerning the matters you discussed with me on October 5, 2011. In the future, if you feel there is an unresolved issue I would encourage you to bring the matter to my attention without delay. Thank you, Stefanie I will be expecting an urgent response, Sherry Christoffer I would appreciate a formal and expedient response to my concerns within the next thirty days via certified letter. My address: Sherry Christoffer 1550 South Gilbert St. #2 Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Phone: 319- 330 -0077 Sincerely, Sherry Christoffer 6 3f(5) Marian Karr From: Jeff Davidson Sent: Friday, May 04, 2012 10:44 AM To: 'kaleb.hays @gmail.com' Cc: Tom Markus; Geoff Fruin; Eleanor M. Dilkes; Marian Karr; `'City Council Subject: Your questions about the neighborhood stabilization zoning code changes Hello Kaleb Hays. Your correspondence below was forwarded to me for response. In terms of residences that currently house more than 3 unrelated people, if any such residence has a valid rental permit for more than 3 unrelated occupants, the number of unrelated renters is legally grandfathered in and allowed to continue as long as the rental permit is maintained. This would seem to allay some of your concerns. The ordinance you refer to was adopted into law by the City Council last Tuesday. It was not a referendum that was decided by vote; it was an ordinance adopted into law by the City Council after they received public comment on the matter. You, and all students, are able to vote in City Council elections and help select the City Councilors who vote on the ordinances. I hope this answers your questions. Jeff Davidson, Director Department of Planning and Community Development The City of Iowa City, Iowa From: Kaleb Hays [mailto:kaleb.hays @gmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2012 9:51 PM To: Council Subject: housing ordinance This correspondence will become a public record. Hello, I have a few questions regarding this new housing ordinance that will be voted on soon. I would like the questions to be answered before the meeting tomorrow night. 1.) What will happen to houses that house more than 3 unrelated students? 2.) Is there laws that allow students to vote on this issue? My main concern is this: If this ordinance exists on houses in Iowa City and is enforced, no three students will be able to afford to live in a house close to campus. Therefore, all of those students in those houses will be forced to spend more money and relocate to apartments further away from time since more students would be relocating. Also all those houses would be empty and probably not refilled very easily. All of those house owners would hurt because of that as well as all services provided by the city and other companies that give services to those houses. Plus, thousands of students would be forced to relocate and spend much, much more money. Does that make sense? If I am completely wrong in my interpretation of this ordinance I would like to know. Otherwise, I would like to attend a meeting tomorrow night if I can and voice my opinion. Thanks Kaleb Hays Marian Karr From: mschut @aol.com Sent: Monday, May 07, 2012 12:30 PM To: Council Subject: Bus system 3f(6) This correspondence will become a public record. Dear council members, It came to our attention in viewing the play Mayberry that our city may be in need of a more effective bus system. Running most buses through downtown is not flexible and results in many folks having wait times at Old Capitol. Please consider revising the bus system to provide more direct travel. Thanks for your consideration. Martha Schut and Doug Peters Sent from my U.S. Cellular® Android - powered device 3f(7) 7 May 2012 City of Iowa City City Council 410 East Washington Steet Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear Council Members, On 13 April 2012 my Home Health Aide had a conversation with Darian in the Traffic Engineer Department. My Aide had called the office to request an adjustment be made at the intersection of Muscatine and First Avenue. I am legally blind and am unable to discern the lights for crossing the streets and need audio indication to safely cross. This is the only street that I utilize. Darian kindly informed me that the evaluation process for these types of accommodations will be started sometime late spring 2012, as the first step in this process. I know things take time and I understand funding will likely be part of the discussion, also a time laden process. I am requesting expediency in this process, and I urge the Council to quickly make these decisions of accommodation. I thank you for your time and considerations. Sincerely, Paula Kinyon 3042 Muscatine Avenue #2 Iowa City, IA 52240 F -f r—'> s ;7 r r, ' t 1 ik 111 CITY OF IOWA CITY 410 East Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240 -1826 Paula Kinyon (319) 356 -5000 2042 Muscatine Ave #2 (319) 356 -5009 FAX www.icgov.org Iowa City, IA 52240 Re: Audible pedestrian signals at First Ave / Muscatine Ave Dear Ms. Kinyon, Thank you for your letter regarding the need for an accessible (audible or vibration - tactile) pedestrian signal at the First Ave / Muscatine Ave intersection. We have a project in our Fiscal Year 13 (starting July 1) Work Program to evaluate traffic signals around Iowa City for accessible pedestrian signal potential. We are using Department of Transportation criteria. The criteria include factors such as intersection geometry, distance to transit stops, distance to pedestrian destinations particularly medical - related destinations and services for visually- impaired persons, traffic speed and volume, and several similar criteria. In general, the criteria are in place to ensure an audible pedestrian signal is not installed at an inappropriate location. As Darian Nagle -Gamm, our Traffic Engineering Planner has indicated we have moved up the intersection at First Ave / Muscatine Ave, and have collected much of the data we need to make a determination. Our next step is to determine an appropriate technology. Technology for accessible pedestrian signals has evolved in recent years due to complaints regarding excessive noise levels, difficulty in determining the direction of the sound, inconsistent use by pedestrians, etc. We are researching appropriate technologies which are compatible with our current traffic signals, and our climate. Thanks again for your letter — we will be contacting you with the results of our evaluation. Feel free to share this letter with your Aide. `7 --4 y 7r--° John Yapp Transportation Planner Marian Karr From: Al and Bobbie Paxton <al loverrovers@g mail. com> Sent: Thursday, May 10, 2012 9:08 AM To: Council Subject: Payday loans This correspondence will become a public record. Payday loans are predatory in nature. Impossible interest rates which prey on the less informed users, or those who really don't know what they're getting into. They do not meet the needs, at all, for the most vulnerable. "Just say NO to passage. Please follow the example set by Ames, Iowa. Bobbie and Al Paxton 3f(8) Marian Karr From: Jill Foco <jumbleblue @yahoo.com> Sent: Thursday, May 10, 2012 9:02 AM To: Council Subject: Re: Predatory Payday Lenders Tuesday night, May 8, the city of Ames joined Des Moines, West Des Moines, and Clive in passing a tough new local zoning ordinance restricting payday lenders inside city limits. The Ames ordinance is perhaps the most restrictive in the entire state of Iowa. I support the same initiative in Iowa City. Jill Foco Marian Karr From: Bonnie Orgren <starlight7 @Lcom.net> Sent: Thursday, May 10, 2012 8:51 AM To: Council Subject: pay day "businesses" Council Members, I just receive notice that Ames has passed a restrictive ordinance for payday lending businessess. Iowa City could join them in leading the way to exemplfy sound business practices. Personally I don't see how they are allowed to exist as "legitimate predators ". Thank you, Bonnie Orgren Marian Karr From: SHenryson @aol.com Sent: Thursday, May 10, 2012 11:05 AM To: Council Subject: Payday Loans Yikes! Ames did something really good here. WE need to catch up. Thanks, Sara Henryson 1023 Kirkwood Ave. Iowa City, IA This correspondence will become a public record. %6?, 1 r 1 'AVZ. — 7� CITY OF IOWA CITY Planning & Community Development 410 East Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240-1826 (3 19) 356 -5230 (319) 356 -5217 FAX www.icgov.org May 15, 2012 Donna Grgurich Project Manager Iowa Economic Development Authority 200 East Grand Avenue Des Moines, IA 50309 Subject: Multi- Family (Rental) Unit Production – New Construction Program Dear Ms. Grgurich: am writing to show the City Council's support for an application from the City of Iowa City for the Multi - Family Unit Production – New Construction Program. Iowa City received three proposals to develop multi - family rental housing. A committee of staff and private citizens reviewed the proposals and selected the proposal by the Votroubek Real Estate Group. The proposed project will develop seven three - bedroom units in northeast Iowa City, an area that is compatible with the City's affordable housing location model. In addition, the Votroubek Real Estate Group has experience in developing affordable multi - family housing in eastern Iowa. We encourage you to strongly consider Iowa City's application for multi - family housing. The Single Family New Homes Program for rounds 1 -3 for Iowa City have been very successful. Developers have been eager to provide affordable single family homes. The Multi- Family application being submitted will complement the Single Family New Homes Program and adds another option for affordable housing in Iowa City. Sincerely, Matthew J. Hayek Mayor I r j —t6a -4 A X al., ., Date: May 10, 2012 To: Tom Markus CITY OF IOWA CITY MEMORANDUM From: Jeff Davidson, Director, Planning and Community Development Re: Multi - Family Housing Application- May 15, 2012 Council Meeting Introduction The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) is soliciting proposals for affordable rental multi - family development. The source of funding for this program is the CDBG Disaster Recovery Housing Fund. These funds complement the Single Family New Construction program and are meant to replace the housing stock destroyed or acquired from the flood buyout. The City of Iowa City solicited proposals from multi - family developers to apply to this program. Three proposals were submitted by area developers and a committee of staff and private citizens reviewed the proposals and selected one to submit to IEDA. History /Background The City Council approved a housing location model on February 15, 2011 (Resolution #11 -51) that identified where new affordable workforce housing sites could be located in order to receive city financial assistance. New rental housing for the elderly or persons with disabilities were exempt from this location model. The site proposed by the Votroubeck Real Estate Group (Skogman Realty) is in an area allowed for new affordable housing opportunities. The housing proposed will be limited to those households earning 80% of median income or less. In Iowa City, a household of one can make up to $45,000; a household of three can make up to $57,850 to be eligible for this housing. Rent is limited to the area's fair market rent which is currently $1,087 for a three bedroom apartment. The Votroubek Real Estate Group's proposal will develop seven three - bedroom units at the corner of Hickory Trail and First Avenue. The state requires a 10 -year compliance period. After this period, the units can be rented at market rate and there are no income restrictions. Discussion of Solutions The Votroubek Group proposal will provide seven units of affordable multi - family housing in an area compatible with the City's Affordable Housing Location Model. Financial Impact: There is no local match required for the Multi - Family Housing Program. Within the application is a 2% administrative fee to cover costs for community development staff to monitor the project. This project will pay full property taxes. Recommendation: Staff recommends submitting the Votroubek Real Estate Group's multi - family housing application to the Iowa Economic Development Authority for their consideration and authorizing the Mayor to sign a letter of City Council support for this application. A letter of City Council support (acceptance by local government) is a requirement to apply for these funds.