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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-03-17 Info Packet~;~^ ~`~~ . ~- wr,oa~~~ -•~.as~ CITY OF IOWA CITY www.icgov.org CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION PACKET March 17, 2011 MARCH 21 SPECIAL WORK SESSION IP1 Council Meetings and Work Session Agenda IP2 Memorandum from the Police Chief and the Transportation Planner: Automated Red Light/Speed Cameras [additional correspondence included] IP3 Memorandum from the City Attorney: Exceptions to "Legal Age" Bar Entry Requirements Alcohol as Gaming Device Prizes IP4 Summary of Pending Work Session Issues MISCELLANEOUS IP5 Letter from Mayor Hayek, Mayor Fausett, and Pat Harney to Nancy Richardson, Iowa Department of Transportation: Commitment for Amtrak operating funds IP6 Memorandum from John, Yapp, Executive Director, to Dave Ricketts, UI Parking and Transportation, and Ron Knoche, City Engineer: Emerald St./Melrose Ave./Finkbine Road Intersection Study IP7 Memorandum from the Director of Public Works and the Director of Planning and Community Development: Update: Flood-related activities IP8 Statehouse News: Representative Jacoby -March 15, 2011 IP9 Dave Loebsack: Long Term Surface Transportation Reauthorization IP10 Newsletter: ECICOG Express March-April 2011 IP11 Newsletter: Grant Wood Neighborhood Association -March 2011 IP12 Invitation: Grant Wood Market Place Events -March 26, April 9, April 23 IP13 Invitation: Iowa City Johnson County Senior Center Annual Spring Forum-April 14, 2011 DRAFT MINUTES IP14 Planning and Zoning Commission: March 3, 2011 =~ ~-~~~ ""'®'~~ City Council Meeting Schedule and -.....~ CITY OF IOWA CITY Work Session Agendas March 17, 20„ www.icgov.org • MONDAY, MARCH 21 Emma J. Harvat Hall 6:30p Special Work Session ^ Council Appointments • Agenda Items • Traffic Enforcement Cameras (IP#2] (Agenda 3f(6)] • Facilities Master Plan (Agenda #10] ^ Amusement Machines -Alcoholic as Gaming Device Prizes (IP#3] • Information Packet Discussion (March 3, 10, 17] ^ Council Time • Budget Priorities ^ Summary of Pending Work Session Issues (IP4] • Upcoming Community Events/Council Invitations • Discussion of Meeting Schedules • TUESDAY, MARCH 22 Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:OOp Special Formal Council Meeting TENTATIVE MEETING SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE • MONDAY, APRIL 4 Emma J. Harvat Hall 6:30p Regular Work Session • TUESDAY, APRIL 5 Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:OOp Regular Formal Council Meeting • MONDAY, APRIL 18 Emma J. Harvat Hall 6:30p Regular Work Session • TUESDAY, APRIL 19 Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:OOp Regular Formal Council Meeting • MONDAY, MAY 2 Emma J. Harvat Hall 6:30p Regular Work Session • TUESDAY, MAY 3 Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:OOp Regular Formal Council Meeting • MONDAY, MAY 16 Emma J. Harvat Hall 6:30p Regular Work Session • TUESDAY, MAY 17 Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:OOp Regular Formal Council Meeting • WEDNESDAY, MAY 18 Coralville 4:OOp Joint Meeting ~ i :,:.®~r~ ~_„_ City Council Meeting Schedule and CITY OF IOWA CITY Work Session Agendas March 17, 2011 www.icgov.org • MONDAY, MAY 30 Emma J. Harvat Hall Memorial Day -City Offices Closed • MONDAY, JUNE 6 Emma J. Harvat Hall 6:30p Regular Work Session • TUESDAY, JUNE 7 Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:OOp Regular Formal Council Meeting • MONDAY, JUNE 20 Emma J. Harvat Hall 6:30p Regular Work Session • TUESDAY, JUNE 21 Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:OOp Regular Formal Council Meeting • TUESDAY, JULY 5 Emma J. Harvat Hall 6:30p Special Work Session 7:OOp Regular Formal Council Meeting • MONDAY, JULY 18 Emma J. Harvat Hall 6:30p Regular Work Session • TUESDAY, JULY 19 Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:OOp Regular Formal Council Meeting • MONDAY, AUGUST 1 Emma J. Harvat Hall 6:30p Regular Work Session • TUESDAY, AUGUST 2 Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:OOp Regular Formal Council Meeting • MONDAY, AUGUST 15 Emma J. Harvat Hall 6:30p Regular Work Session • TUESDAY, AUGUST 16 Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:OOp Regular Formal Council Meeting ~ r i CITY OF IOWA CITY IP2 ~~.®~ N ~ ~ ~~~~~.:~~ ~ D U ~,_ EMt~R ~~ Date: March 10, 2011 To: City Council From: Police Chief Sam Hargadine ~~ John Yapp, Transportation Planner 7 ~•~ Re: Automated Red Light/Speed Cameras As communities across the United States seek to improve public safety by reducing traffic violations, many have implemented automated photo enforcement programs. The following memorandum is meant to summarize the growing use of photo enforcement in Iowa, and describe the potential local benefits for this technology. Types of photo enforcement Red Light Running Enforcement - Running a red light is one of the most frequent causes of collisions at intersections, but enforcement with traditional officer-based techniques is difficult. In response, cities are implementing automated cameras at traffic signals. The camera takes pictures of vehicles that run red lights, records the time elapsed since the light turned red and the vehicle's license plate; then a civil fine is issued (not a moving violation). Speed Limit Enforcement -Photo radar is an automated camera system used to enforce speed limits. It includes the camera, an attached radar and a display that shows the speed of each passing vehicle. Photo radar is frequently used via an unmarked vehicle that can be relocated periodically for targeted enforcement. When a speeding vehicle is detected, the photo radar system takes a picture of the driver and the license plate, and the recorded vehicle speed. The registered owner of the vehicle then receives a civil fine in the mail. Reducing collisions in Iowa A study by the Center for Transportation Research & Education at Iowa State University found red light running (RLR) crashes decreased 20% in Davenport and 90% in Council Bluffs where RLR camera enforcement was used. Total crashes were also reduced at these intersections (20% and 44% in Davenport and Council Bluffs). Fewer collisions equates to fewer injuries and less property damage. Since 2004, at least five communities in Iowa implemented this technology to improve roadway safety: • Clive • Cedar Rapids • Council Bluffs • Des Moines -implementation underway • Davenport • Burlington, Marshalltown, Mason City - researching vendors • Sioux City Each community that installed an automated enforcement system in Iowa enacted a local, municipal ordinance and civil fine schedule. The State Legislature is considering legislation requiring that camera controlled intersections be signed so that motorists are warned in advance, as well as capping maximum fines. If this technology is considered in Iowa City we recommend that Iowa City follow the guidelines outlined in House Study Bill 93. Jurisdictions that utilize traffic enforcement cameras typically implement a period of time where only warnings are issued. A warning period allows residents to get used to the cameras, the department to get used to the process of viewing the violations, and allows time for testing of the cameras and equipment. Potential intersections for photo enforcement Based on collision history and traffic volumes, the following ten locations are potential candidates for RLR camera enforcement in Iowa City: Ran Traffic Total Property Minor Major Total Intersection Signal Crashes Percent Damage Injuries Injuries Injuries Market and Dubuque 29 96 30% $151,150 2 0 2 Highway 6 and Sycamore 27 119 23%° $215,000 7 2~ 9 Jefferson and Gilbert 19 71 27% $171,373 1 0 ~ 1 Highway 6 and Boyrum 16 100 16% $133,300 10 2~ 12 Burlington and Riverside 15 131 11% $75,260 1 0~ 1 Highway 1 and Orchard 14 67 21% $84,300 1 0~ 1 Burlington and Gilbert 14 114 12% $66,200 2 0 ~ 2 Jefferson and Dubuque 11 62 18% $57,700 0 0 0 Burlington and Madison 9 91 10% $41,400 0 2 ~ 2 Burlington and Clinton 9 117 8% $41,400 2 0 ~ 2 Sub-Total 163 968 17% $1,037,083 26 6 32 Citywide Total 599 12,063 5% $3,472,952 114 15 129 Data source: Iowa Department of Transportation, 2001-2010 Kris Ackerson, MPO of Johnson County Benefits of photo enforcement Reduce injuries and property damage -According to the Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County, red light running collisions in Iowa City caused injuries to 129 people and caused reported property (vehicle) damage totaling $3,472,952 in the last decade. Increase community policing -The average officer spends 45 minutes to work a (non-OWI) vehicle collision. In 2010, Iowa City police officers logged 1,396 hours working 1,861 motor vehicle collisions citywide. By reducing collisions, officers will be available to conduct more community policing and have more time to respond to non-traffic collision issues. Revenue -One of the criticisms of automated traffic enforcement cameras is that they are perceived solely as a means of generating revenue. The fine associated with these automated enforcement devices does generate revenue, and is also meant to be a deterrent from red light running and/or speeding. We propose that revenues generated from automated traffic control devices, if they are implemented, be earmarked for public safety staff salaries, and for a public safety contingency fund. The contingency fund would be used for periodic but unpredictable events like meth lab clean-ups, event-related overtime (Presidential visits, natural disasters), chemical/tanker spills, etc. Cedar Rapids Police Chief, Greg Graham, has agreed to attend your work session on March 21 to answer questions regarding the camera enforcement program underway in Cedar Rapids. Cedar Rapids installed cameras two years ago and they have noticed a dramatic reduction in speeds and collisions along the Highway 380 corridor. Locals know the cameras are there and are voluntarily slowing down. Conclusion At your March 21 work session, please be prepared to discuss if there is interest in directing staff to prepare draft code amendments to implement red light running and/or speed enforcement cameras. We would also be happy to meet with a Council sub-committee to explore the topic further. CC: Kris Ackerson, Metropolitan Planning Organization Tom Markus, City Manager Chief Andy Rocca, Fire Sources: Evaluating Red Light Running Programs in Iowa Center for Transportation Research and Education Iowa State University, 2711 S. Loop Dr., Suite 4700 Ames, IA 50010 Iowa City Crashes ICPD Records Unit Iowa City Intersection Crash Analysis Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County 410 E. Washington St. Iowa City. IA 52240 ~~~ Center for Franspcsrtation R~st3arch pod Eduealian Oe+:ernber 2447 RESEARCH PROJECTTITLE i hf Tftr:.c.ttvc:ncss t;,f Inw:l's rttrtt~rrrated laec Ligltt Itunnitt~; i'rt)gr'amS SPOI+IS4R ItSU'a L)epartnlent ttI Tr:lnsportaticrn c: rlar Prc~le~~t ti°t-z?ct PRIMCIPA[, IN'4"ESTIGAT(]R Shkurra 1 lalltrrrrrk r1s5t,cituc 1'rofessar, Civil., Canstrur°tiiin and I-.nvircrnriterital Fn~„ine.Errin~ 1o~4•a ~t:t~c t_'niversily CCk-PRINCIPAL INVESTGATgII Zt,m h7tllttrtald safety Circtrtt Rider t_cstlce CUr Trrnt,lx?rt:tlum Rc::sc.rclt and Ldtrcaltjn Ittu;t tit:ttr' l rtivCr~iry' 7l j.?!7 1 i; ;;s'i n.lxt'titxrest tt~+'i:rr,t:M[r.rrdrt MARE tNFC}fiMATtt1N 14'G4'44.c't t't'.t:1.5tiit .4:'CI U. CTRE IOatra Sta#e Universi#y 2777 S. L®mp []titre, quite 4700 Armes, IA 50070-8664 575294-$703 Thr tx,issit~rr of rho i:a=nt~cr frxr Trtt~xatatrt'Ga• riot[ [i:cseareh anct E€lucatinn (C:TRE} at irrta•'a tirare Univrrsitt is [e develop and ituplentent inue~m~tti've tnrthc~ds, t-narerinl5, €tnd rec'knacYltx- ~tCs ft7r itralyi4ivlte,~'te;u~~p[,T~4ation ef~I"ieietacy, safer', anc# rrliahilily u'hilc inxlxrnvin~; the lcarninq c.n+~irnnnrtnt of stutJcnts, Iaaalry. atxd stall in transprxrtatic3ex-srlaLCd dnclds. &'ht ±pcnnsr,ra oC this research arc nut respon- siiale for tlxe acrnract~ of the intnnnatiiin 17resrntc•d Itrrein. The c~nclusinns exprrssed in thiti puhlica[itryn pare not necrssarilg those ref the spcmf.~xrs. IC7WA S~CATC UNIVERSITY Evaluating Rad Light Running Programs in Iowa CeCh I:f~t1S~EI" Stifl7t11c~P"~" i]bjective its conutttlnities across the Unitctl states atterttpt to acldress reel light r~nnnhtg (RLP.}, a nuttther of rh~m hate im}tlentr•ntccl I~L.R eamcrd_t~n_ ftrrtetnent prn~~aur5. since ~t7{14, three Ioet~a rommttnit[cs-Dat~Enperrt, CotlnciC f3ltrffs, and {-aivc-Cray=e" intplenrented RL-R ramera-etlhtrrrntenl izrt,gr:tnt5. 'I }re ohjrctivc e3f this; resc,arclr was to c> aluate the ellcrtiveness n8 RLR cameras m tflese tht°cc icn~%a camnltmitics..'1 reduction in crstshes w.l~; e~alttalc°d ftrr C:ottncil Bluffs and Da~~~nport, and a reduction in the. nutnlrcr r,f RLI4 violations was cealuatccl for Clive. Rroblem ~tatemer~t The: Fe:ticral Elighw°ay :~dtninistration (I~IlV~%A} eslirrtales that reel hgh[ running cau5c,y more than l Ot],OL]L7 crashes and 1 ,OOC] fatalities annually, anci results in an estirnat.ed ccononric loss of over °:l4 billion per year in the Unitr~ci Slal4~s [FI-i'+,V1 20f)6}. Relnn~ er ai- (tir)t}~) incli~ated that c,ccu- pant injuries crccurrcd in 4'z`~ib of RI.R crashes as comlrared ut other urban c ra5lttrs and etc canted for l fi°r,-?D`iii crl total trashes at ttr'b~l^ siKnalized interscaiotts. Real light runnitr~n can C>e partictalarly cCangerou:~ hecrau5e nlanti~ RLR crashes are right a,r,~lc e crlliinns. Research Qescriptiara The numl?cr nP R[_R crashes in Iowa[ vvati de~tennirrecl by selrcting crashes [brit accurrcd at signalized intersectiams from 7{7{71 to 2[7{7F~. RLR cr•ashs wet-e clef irrecl xs crashes tivhere an of-liter inciicateel "tart traffic signal" as the major catas>`~. An average of ii,l fi? total crasht°s and 147 fatal- :end tttajor-injtny crashes occur at signalizerl intersections in Icteaa cv~ery Fear [ZOC]l-?UL]t~), and :an average cif l ;6t~2 RI_lt crashes acrur Cter year- This in- cludes an average of 51' C~ataC- and major-injury crashes per year at sif;nnl- i_ed intersections in low•a due to rc•cl light running. {7f si~;nealizcd iruerscc- lion crashes, Rt.R crasl~cs acxe,unt for 21 ~%, of total and 35°~~ of fatal- and major-injui-w rra~he~s. a n st lYX s uw, x^=c ao°~ sa RLR rrershr~s ns ra lte~rc~nlrt~r• of sigrtcllited iuferu~rtiun c:rrtshes EfFectiveness of RLR camera systems i n Iowa RkLI ll~hl rLl tlnin,~ 1J115f5 :1 Sl~tllllt'Etnl 4afE'ly' iSSlll'. tale t'lltTl- muniti€s. CommLlniti€s ear€1ti ha~€ the re5ciurtr:~5 to l]lacrt atltlitio[lal lay+~ enl~t~rcem~eni in th€ fit=ltl to tttr],'hat th€ ~rol7- leln and they are increasin±~ly usink aii[omalfd RLR €an,erli- frllnt-€f nlfSlt sl'tiif1115 itI Slnn.all~ccl InU'rtif l'I ii,n 5- 117 [' Stall L' of Itrwa, as of °Jo~enrbfr 2l)l-ti, has nn 5tatt~-nrauclated law'ti re~ardin~ the use of auto]natecl enforcfinent anal rTU rcfan]- rnfnclftl s€hfdulsxl tt'aJfit fine It,r ainlaticrns calyttu'td lav l7hntt,~raphy. Each conunur]ity that installed an atltom~ltftl- enforcement sy°ste.tr~ in low°a €nacled local, municipal o]~di- nanc€s,which were aElt,~vecl by the C:otJe of Ic,ty°a I,ut cnulrl nut supersc'dc• €stal~li5hrtl traffic law`s. I he effet•th•fnc•s~: of thf RLR. €an7era systems vas evaluated [car eat•h cnrtTrnuuit~`. Davct]part The city of Dav'enpc,rt iarstalla~J t~1-12 ctrnlEtrati 1~cliufen August anal C)ctoher 2L)C3°} al thf flrllowinf; intersection ap~ proaches. • l3ratly street, ntn-thbtlund apprtaach, at Kin]herl}' Road • [3rady 5t[•eet, ezt5tl]i,uati! apprc~.]~I], at Kin]I~crl} I2aad • t3rtlc]y 5lreet, ws-1t1)txuul aLpprtraah, at 1<irnherly 12uatl • Flnulrf .4v'enue, easthowLd r{gtgtroach, at I~itnbcrly T~aad • I.lrnorf ,Av'€mle, wcsll?ound al-rpn.rtch, ~tl Kim},crh Rcrrtl • 1,~'elcome ~'~"a y, soLtthhound apltrt7wtc~lr, at himhi~rly° f2t-~ad • hnrth llarrisnrr Street, snutJti7runtl approach, ;It 4i'r:~i 3~th 5trcft • `l[1r 5tifft alltl L)[~'isit,rr 5Ci-eel 40.Cu; '~ - - --_-- ^ktR. t.amera y ~a.u^u r ~'Cantral 20.Ui _ - 1G.7";, --- :,~,. tai ~;~ • 10 ;l 4'. ' r -ao.~,~- -~o.o .au.a •5il.d°'o let June Z{10fi, nne set of catalcras vas mtrvetl frnm Oil] Stmct and [?iv [siatn Sn-eft to Linrnln Avenue anti I.ocusl `ilr€°e~l, sa neither itltersectiot] was included if] the ana1y5t5. dive cttrttrt~l lc,catinrls were selected in i]ati°enl,~t,rt for tIS2 in the statistical analysis. Thf belt?re analysis llfritttl included l2 ti-luart€rs c7f Brash data at~d th€ after analysis Ixriod ctrnsiStfcL of f•I quarters of crash data. A Bayesi~ln statistical an~tly4is Lt'as used tc~ ev:ahtatf the reduction in crdshey aiarr ins+all.]- I'it,[] t,f the I2'LR canacras. Thf erpetted nutnhs:r of tntai crashes decreaseel by 20`ro flt,m tl]e b€forf tt, after pfritx.l for intersectiatrs with cam€ta enfort'en]fnt, while total. c:rashfs increased by aln]nst Ttii, at t'onua9 intfrscctic?ns. Rt R-rclatt~cl crstihfs wr^:re alyc, c•valu- atcd. RLR erashc_c were tlfEirutl its any c°rt5h, e'xcxpt rear- cntl c•rasheti, r,~ he'r-e fi[l]er are ofhcfr or w~itnfss to the crash ir]tlicatftl th,u 'at Jfast nnc driver had run a reel light. `l~he expected numha~:r crf f21_R cr~asltcs decreased by '~C1`,o alter instatll;alion r,f cameras at intersccuons Gvith camera-€nlt,rced ;rl~ptcrrehes, while the' expected Irunnc~r of RLR-rclaietl l'ra:Sl1L'.S IRCra`a5[.d Jky' alr[IilSt ~l7`~ let LOlttri~tl ItltfTSCCtt COWS. l }[f c}sangr in Harr-entl c ra5ht~w shat ~ea5 r~lattt~ tt] red hsyh[ CLld]ntl]~ was ~Iltit) e1•'ill Lltllt'[l I }tt (\1,L L"led flat nll7e r" t11 rear-card crasl]fs ehatt~;cd Lery little from thf hefrlre to :after period for intrrsfctitil]s with eat]]era-enCtlrt~ftl apllroache.w, trhile [he expec:tcd nurul,er t7f rear creel crashes incr€as€cl by arnurtcl 33°i, lire tl]e enntrnl intcrsfctinlls. -- --- - - - - - 1 ~- R Rear End Type elf Crash Chnnge in crashes for Dnvenhorf clJter insrrelleuiun n~RLR corner-ns Frtrr+t t~ie]v r>Jnn RLR c:•nnletrn system {:ottncil Bluffs The city nc (.-;cauncil Bltrff~s installed f?Llt ramera5 at the lollow'in~; seven apl~ruache5 at five itttersectinns in AugusE {l{)'~- • '~1i'illnw 4'~'ay, southhc3ttatd ap}>roach, at 7th Street Kanesville t31vd., westZ~otrnd ap}roach, at 8th Street ~anesvillc Rlvcl., easibourad 4+ppruEicla, at ~3th Street • Broadway, wcwthound alal~rc~a~h, at loth Street • Elroadw ati~, eastl~crund airpraaeh, al 1 tit h 4treet • l~roadwva~'. ~w•esthnuntl ap>~r'n=ach, at ~lst Street • Broadway. c:tsthound etiaiarnaci7, at 3Sth Scrcet C)nly one year of crash data vas aavailahle to evacuate the effcctivene~s of tlae (-:ottnGil Bluffs RLR g7rrrgrarn ira rerluc•itt crashes. C.nnsequeratly, (?nly~ a simple hclc?re .tnd alter crash cotrlparisort wEas conducted. tour control irttersec•tions w°cre used u7 rcfcect crash trcrtds that were incJt°hcndrnr of th(r carrreras. C:ltanges in ~t.aslaes frrarn the before t(sal~tea lxe•rirad were evaaluated by c(ansl~arita~; changes in crashes per quarter. `I ltc: nunahcr of craslTCS 1>cr quarter w•as ealculatccl for a he{ore Iteriod ccsnsistitt of 1 Z quarters atncl an :titer }?eriod ccsnsisting of 4 quarters. -Fotal crashes at interscctittns ~t~ith canters enfortemrnl decreased ari average of 4~i"~~ alter the ft3:R cameras were installed. 'l'ocal cratihrti alsca dec reatir°al al c ont real i[alrrtit°c cleans but Only' by l~ ~ereertt. A more (Irunatic result. avaas fr~uttd w'hcn anl~~ RLR-related crashes w°crc cti~alttatcd. RLR era~hes at catttera-enforced intcrscctiuns decreased act aver- age of yil'?,, while no nx•t^rnll ehangt~ ~~~.as nirrc~d ,al the arntrral ittterscctiotts. Rear-rncl t•ras}te, w}rich were clelenr~iiterl to be a restilt of red lihht runninf;, t~~ere also ccamparcd. RLR- relatecc rear-encl crashes clecretttietl by 4{1`}+o al iratrrsec~inras with c.unera-enforced ap}~raacltcs but increased by Zy°i~ at C'C71ttrUl illle E-tC'i tl[7 n`.. 4G.~ ~RLF~ Cameral ~Cnrilisil ' 2 ~. i~ ~b G.I ".G cal rt t -2p.0 V u -ao.o^~ -1pp.[]% Type of L'rash a r•a "~ End Ch(irigc' rPt rr(lSllE'tiJor• C(ataneil Bl((ffs after- instnll(uron of RLR c[rrrrer(ts fZr^((r vicnv raf RLR crttrter-a systc nt Canic•rrt-rrt~arc•(~(! sytilcirt u! luesy nle~rsc:cfinrr (;live RLR cameras ww~erc installed at the fc?Mowing Six ap pruaelaes at four inteY-sectiuns in C:liw:e its July ?UllS. • lOCtth `street, nartl'lhound approach, at Hickutzirr 12oad • Hickman Rand, t:a.stkac:aund alal~roach, at l ~i3th titreet • I ~Rlh Street, northhottrld ap{roach, at 1-Iiclalaan Roatl • F[ickrrlan Road, casthotnad apprnac{l, tat l-F2nd Suet^^^t • llickman Road, east}sound all lartaarlt, at 156th Street • 1Sbth Street, nonhhaund tahhrr?ach at Hickman Roaci "fhe ideaG wuav to evaluate the effectiveness of RI .R t•am- crls iti to evaluate the. reduction in crashes. }lvwvcver, hccat.isc the: arnacras in C-live vwercta't installed url¢i1 lurae ~t?fit7, thrrc• was nut suflicicnt d~rta to colaciuct t} crash analysis..4s a result, the tartly rvay to evaluate the elfec:- iiveness of Clivc's autartlat.etl RLR enforcement Sarstem was to evaluate the reduction in RLR violations that iaecurrcd. A cross-sectieannl ~tanalvsis was crantluctetl that aarnparc~d violations al intcrst•ctions with ItLR c'ao~rcrati to violations at amnol intersections vvhcre nn r-anxras ww°ere present. Contra] intersccticans wvcre selected so that thr;.y wwc:re similar to the RLR caanera-enforced intersections- 1"icala- tiort data for the t arnera-enforced apllro;aclaes wvere nh- tained 1`rnm t}le city of Clive, and violations for controt itltcrsccticnl a}iprcaac•hes wrrr viali:eata~,°il in tht= Held anti manually' reduced A crow-se:rtional unul;~-si5 was e-nnducted uy~in~ a gencr- ali~ccl linear n~odx•I tta evaltrale tlac• di{le•renres hetwveen viodatiorts al appt-oac}ats with Rl.}t cameras and tit the control intersections. Thr naocicl intlit.rted that intersec- titan apjsroaches w•ithaut cameras hatttl Z5 tunes roorc RL.R violat€ictns 1}ran ntersectioal apfaroaches wm~ill'r RI_R Cantt'r;.r.`.. z~.u~ zn.o~ i5 u°~ U7.0% .Q% ti,~~ 17istri!}utian aj time iota red irtclicatar~ jot left-turning vcfliclrs T}lc amcntnt of timer after the reel indication had klt'e~al given to ir-adie•ate tl7<at vehicles wwere running the reel iight wvas arlsca t'valuated. It might he expectctl that a c:e•rtain number of dowers cnterccl the irltcrsection just at tl-re hc~,inrairlg of tkre reel phase. Ht?wwever, ??"~{, of left.- ttarnin~; vt:hicdCS, and tnt~sre titan 1C~1`lo oC vehiclt•s that ww=ere lravtling strai~,ht thrcaugh the intersections, rtn the real li;;lzl twvo tar me?r~ seconds into the refl. Key Fintiing~ Restalts of the research inciiratc that RLR. cameras were vcn successlul in reducing cr~rslles reltueci to reel ht;ht ratnning in the rwwn Iowa cunarmtnities suadiecl. In Dav- eniacarl, a -FC1'',,, rctcluctidan sta. RLR crashes ww'~ls found_ In 4_cttnuil }3luff~~, a r)l?',i, rccluetinn ww~rti Icarrrael. Total crushes also dcerrasccl at intcrscctitans with RI-R camera en{orceancrrt- I~cductions in total crusht~s of 2i)"rt, grad 44, were lutrtld in Davenport grad Council. k3lufls, retilacetively. additionally, while theee has heed soraae concern at the national level that use. of RI_Rc•arra- eras incrca5e rear-end. crashes, the preseru rest~arch did not find an increase in rear-entl crashes. I }ar rrduc tiara in I21-ft violations was evalttatcd for a third Iowa community. Howcvcr, a crash analysis could nut hc: crandu4 red ~Inct. tllcr-c was less tltzut one yrir of c r:atih alata- The number o[ RLR violations for inlersce - ticanti wvitlt no RI-R cameras was cotuparecl against Rl_R violations a~ ranaera-enforced intersections. l~ewul~t5 of a 5ttllistical analys%s indicate that on average_ RLR viola- tions where ?~ titres 1ri~;ltrr in }nt~atiom ~wirhout cattreras than wvith cameras. z5.u~ 'ru u~ tso~ i to.c~ 5.C3S i Q.Ir~ ~~~!~D~O_l111f- n~-~ t ~~y ~"h Qh. ~h CG ~1 ~~ ~'a , O ,'~ ^'L ,~ i ,M ~h 1se ~1 ,'6 ,, 9 .au tip„ S crortlx Disfributian of time stun r-cd iridic-crtar jot througkr vehicles n.a ~5-3 A.& p.7 0.9 9.3 1 $ t 7 19 2G« SetunAs Iowa law officers defend ruse of red light, speed cameras • Story : Discras5ion Iowa law officers defend use of red-light, speed cameras By ItDD BOSHART, Journal Des Moines bureau ;4ioux C`ity~ Journal ~ Posted: Tuesday, Fehr°uary 22, 2©11 12:13 pm ~ Na Comments Pasted A red li~,ht camera, sei;n lure T`uesclay, Iv1ay 2fi, 2U(1~), leas been installed at the intersection iaf Scr~c4tnt Rr.-ad ~rncl Sarrlh. Lakcp«rl. More red 1i~ht ~:arrieras are hein~, inst.alleil in other locationti in 5iour (.'ity (.lira [.eel;~roux C;rty .lourr~al) DL'.S M(f1NLS -Law' afficL:rs learn cilics that c~pcrrie speed ~rnd retl-light cameras made a shuw irff;tarcc: TLresday zrt thy: StatchoLrsc in suppiart caf tlri: autirrnateil traffc-ertfi~rcerttent s~ stems. Uavenpari Pcalici: Chief l'reink l~c~rrchez ,l r, told a l louse suhconunittee he didn't understand "whi~ there"s such a l~rubhub"' t~ver the cameras thal have. dramatically reduced crashes at inter-sectian, slo,ived vehicle speeds and caused instrranec rates to "tickle down" over his ci~mmunity's seven-yeax experience with traffic-control cameras. Likewise, Cedar R<Lpids Pcalicy Chiel`Greg Graham paid his to~via has seen similar double-digit drops in vehicles cradles, injuries and traffic violations since: cameras went up last year. Reprinted with pern~ission- Mitch Pi=~h; E:ditor "1 can tell yore it's been ver1 successftr-," he t+ald ]awmalcrs. "It's changed driv"er behavior in Cedar Rapids." Law ofkicers frorrr at least five lovva communities were drawn to the Capitol far tl~e start ofvvork h}~ a 1-Iouse T'rzr-nspoetation subcommittee oia a measure {I louse Study Bill X13) that. proposes to brim uniformity in the operation of automated traiflc enf"orcernent systems and cap tines imposed for vic7lations detected by speed or red-light cameras at $1[l. The bill alsca wr5uld require signage denoiir-rg camera-enforced areas ar~d verifu:ation of violations h}' a certified police officer. "We aren't looking at a ban," said Rep. Ralph Vv'atts, It-Adel, chairman of` the five- member House. subcommittee. "Since thlvse have become quite common throughout the suite, there r~1ay be a need for them to be stanclarc~li~Gd. W'e'i.c ~;ot a variety of policies. Vv`e hope to brim some unifdnnity to t17at." Police officials testi[ied that the driving force behind tl~c cameras is public safety, not re~~enrrc, but. ~'zrtt.s requested numbers from. cor~~naur~itics with can~cra systems to verify that claim. 17trnchez said the city's share of re^~°ci~ue frart~ the new onfc~rcement tool has e;nabl~d police to purchase "speed boards" to be opa~rated near [davenport's schools to hs.lp hold dawn speeds in pones whore children are present. Ci<ral~arn said all the proceeds in CGdar Rapids have been pumped. hack into public sa#ety zu~d have reduced the potential far property kax increases. I-Ie noted tFrat about l perGertt ol'tht 1. ~ I~~illion cars that. travel Interstate ~BtJ daily in Cedar Rapids are going in excess of f;9 mpla and "those are flee people that wG'rc holding ac:countahle." "T'he point of the. system is to get people tc~ slow dawn, not to cite them,'" Crallam said. "Vve'rc nc~t sneaking around, jumping out from behind a billboard ar7d scaring people." Rep. Wait Rogers, R-Waterloo. said tl~e traffic cameras appear to have produced some "real f;aod success," but he noted there are concerns the use of`automated traft~c enforcement devices could ""go too far," Megan Pc:if`ier of-t1~G lowa League ofC~itiGa sEaicl she urrdcrsta.nds "the L3ig F3rother fear tllat'5 oLrt L11ere," hLlt 5}te I]l7ted that ~'Otet"S [atl llflld elcc$CC1 [)fflCralS aCGOII'lltal3lC rl llley [iLr not sa~pport the placement of`traffic-enforcement cameras. "'When eve went to stop watcl-res to radar there evas a big hullabaloo and outcry if ~~°e can. trust that technology and now it's standard operating, procedure.," said Clive City Manger Dennis Henderson, who noted that stop lights Dave replac;cd police pzrtrt~l zit marry intersections. Marty Ryan of l~aw°kcs-l,cc ~ Ryan public policy advocates said he was concexned about the potential t~~r abuse if the popularity of the cameras spreads to smaller cornenrrnities and the changes proposed in House Study Dill 9; tv~ould he hater than the current Reprinted with permission- Mitch Pugh; editor situation. [ ie said he supported the $SO litt~it an lines and. While ha, anticipated there would he atten3pt5 to raise that level, he added that "it shouldn't hccorne t17e cash eow that mEtny pe~3ple think ii is." 'J~~'atts said he: expected tc~ held ane mare subcarnmittee meeting an tl~e proposed legislation to allow time far it to he eansidered by the full l lause~ T'ransp~ortatiosi ~"amn~itter; hcfczre the 11~7arch ~ "funnel" deadline for palicy bills to chat-ane lc..gislative cc~mn~ittce ts~ remain eligible l~rr debate yet this session. ~'i~nrY~~hl Zall 1 Siau~ c_`itt_,Ir~urn_d :111 ro hts r~sGn~~~! Lhis m~icnal mss iiin h.;• hublr,h~d hru;tdta~.u, rcttriu~97 nr r4~9i}1n_totih~tl Pasted in Iowa att ~Tu~:~scr'cit~. ~i~hra~~rrv 22, 2011 12:33 hrrr ' Tags: Iles Maims, lawn. Leg~islz~ture. Red-light Cameras Reprinted with permission- Mitch Fugh; 1/ditar lo~va I-lausc Srudv 13111 93; 1'~rge: 1-Ic~use Study 13111 X33 - Intrcaduced HQUSI; I;IL1; I3Y (I'Rf)P(}SI;D C;[)MM1"1'"1'EE +fJN "6KANSP~~.TATIf,~N FILL I3Y C.1-IA[KF1?RSON 'l'.lE1'KF;S) A BILL [,OR An Act relating to the use of autornatcd traffic cnfarcemcnt I systems. 2 131':1 1 l',l'v'AC`."l•laL) 13 `A' '1'I 11::. Cil;i'J1•:[ZAI. A~51:141131.Y t)I~' 1'I I1? ~iTATI/ C)P 1[)1~''A: 1.1~. Section 1. Section 31.1, Codc ?Ill 1, is arr~cndcd by adding, l tl~c fallotivin~ nc~w= srrhscction: 2 Ni:ll~' SUf351?C7'I(~N . ~)5. "Autan~atcd traftic enf~rc.cmcnt systeT}z" .3 rneans a device with one or rnarc scnscars v4rcrrking in cnnaunctian 4 with ai least erne of the iollativing: 5 a. An aflicial traflic-caniral signal, to praducc recorded fi images of n~otar ~,~,„hiclcs entering an intersection against a 7 flashing red or steady circular real light. 13 E~. {ln crl'flcial traffic-cantrnl sig,r~al at a railroad grade ~) Grassing, as described in section 321.32, to produce rcetardcd l0 images of va.hiclcs ~~iolating a flaslrin~; red ar steady circular l l recd light. 12 c. A Speed measuring de~rice, t{r pradLice retarded images ai' l3 nlcrior vehicles travelling ai a prahilaited rate o[ speed. 14 SGC. ?. N1~W SECTI+QN . 321.~A Automated tral'tic enfarccment l5 systems. l(~ Tltc sl~dc; or a lacal authority shall not use an auiornatcd 17 traffic enfcrrccmcnt systcrn except as pravidcd in this sccticrn. 18 1. A local authority rn~ty by ardinar~ce auih©rirc the use of lc} autamated tral~Iic enf`arcement systems to detect vialatians ai` ?() posted speed limits err official traffic-control signals rn~l~icl~ 2.1 constitute municipal or county inf`ractions_ ?2 2. A local autlioriiy using one ar mare autamated traf`lic '~.3 enfora::nrent systems shall erect a sign providing n~oticc of the 24 use of automated tra.ftic enfarcernerrt at thaat. paint an every ?5 highriay tlrat intersects the •jurisdictional lirl]1t5 of tli~ Iocal ?6 authority. A sign shall also be posted by the local authority 27 an caclr raad [rn tl~e appraaclr to the next speed limit zone err 2~ aflicial traffic-cantrcrl signal on that raaci where an arrtomated `?~ tral`fic enforcement system is in use. 3t.1 3. Retarded images produced by trn 4autarnated trallic 31 cnfarccrncnt system evidencinc a violation crfa pasted speed 3? limit ar an of`ticial traffic-control signal shall be v~critrcd 3 by a peace officer of the latiti cnforcerncnt agency anti certified 3d by the chief o1`ficcr a1`tltc 1a4~~ cnfor•ccmcnt agency ar the 35 -1- L5f3 22~54YC. (1(1) 84 dGti,%rj ];' 3 ll.r. Iowa [ louse Stuciy~ Dill '~3; Page: 1 chief-officer's designee. A citation or simple notice oI' 2 a line n7ailed or dclivereci to ilte registered owner ol'the 3 ti•chiclc involved in the violation shall he accompanied byr strclt 4 ccrtitlcation. 5 4. ~ local Ezuthneity shall not establish a penalty in excess 6 of fifty dollars for a violation detected b}' an automatccl 7 traffic cnforccnrcrrt sti•stcrn. ~ Sec. ~. E7CIS'l INC; .^,,IJ"f'[~IW1A'f~)~!I~ `l'I~AF'I~`1C 1~;NI~OI~C.E1vlEitiiT SYSTI~MS 9 V1'~LIDITY Cr PF~I[7~R N[~TIC~S A1'~1D CITAT10N5. Nr~tic.es mailed or 1 Q cif-rations isued of s•iolatior~s comrniued prior to the effective 11 dale of`ihis Aci, pursuant io a lacE:rl ordinance authorizing the I? use of an automated traffic e.nf~orcement svsiem, shall not lie 13 invalidated h}~ the cnaetrncnt of this Act ant skrall he processed 14 according iv the provisions of the lLnv under ~vl~ich tlYey w~erc 15 atzthorircd. 1 U I~XF'L;"~NATIC)N 17 'I'bis hill authorires and rc;stricts the use of autornatcd l 13 traffic enlurcement (n°1'~) systems by state and local higlzwa}, 19 authorities. 2[} "l'hc bill defines "automated traft`ic cnforcemcnt svstcrr~" as 2l a device ~vitl~ one or rrzorc sensors 4~~orking in conjunctitrn tiviih ?~ at Icast one of tl~c follow°ing, an official tragic-control 23 signal at an ir~terscctiE~~n, an ai'lici~~l traffic-cautrr~l signal 24 at a railro4id grade crossing;, or a speed measur°ing dovice. An 2S ATL sy~sle]n records i-Wages of- vehicles violating an associated Z[i traffic-control signal or a sl~ecd limit. "1'he definition 27 includes within its scope devicz;s known as "red light cameras" 28 and `=speed c~uneras". 2~) `l~hc hill authoriacs tltc use of A"1~1; sy~stcrns in conjunction 30 ~;~iih of=ficial traffic-control signals car fc~r the cnforcernent 1 oi' speed linxits pursuant to z~7unicipal or county ordinance. A 3? local atiil7ority using one or more A"I'I; syst.en,s i~; required icr 33 provide notice oi'tlre use of A`1-JS by posiirrg signs on highvw~ays 3~ iniersccting llac_jurisdis4tional lin~it5 of the; local authority. y5 in addition, signs r7°rusi he pasted on eaeli read on the approach 3Es -2- LS13 2?54Y'C: (ll]) i34 dc;~~!rl 213 [o~~`a f lcnrsc Study 13111 X13; i'a~,e: 3 ] I.1~, tc~ t17c; next siaeed lirxrit zone or trarl'iic-cnntrol signal on drat 1 road u~herc arr ,v"I~F. s~~stern is in rrsc. 2 Before a notice of a fine or a citation is mailed or 3 delivered. to the c~~~ner of ~r niator vehicle, the recorded ~ image evidencing, the violat%on must ire verified by a peace 5 officer of the la~v~ enforcement agency arad certified by' the 6 chief lave cr7forccrizcnt offic;cr or tl~c offrccr's designee. "Cl~c 7 bill provides that a tine ir7~pased by a local autl~orit;y~ for a 8 ~-iolEUic~n dctecteci by' ~mn A"[ 1 system sh~il] not exceed $5f7. 9 `1'hc bill prow°idcs that notices rnailcd or citations issued of 10 vie}lations corn~mitte~:l prior to the cff"cctivc date cif the hill, 1 1 pursuant lcl a l~acal Ordinance, are nc~t invalidated by the bit] 12 and remain cnf'orceable. ] 3 -3~ L513 ?254YC` (1{}) ~4 dc~rlrj 31 3 Marian Karr From: Tom Markus Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2011 2:44 PM To: Marian Karr Subject: FW: recent traffic camera article For future distribution when this issue makes it to the council From: Robert Wolf [mailto:wingprayer75@yahoo.com] Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2011 1:29 PM To: Tom Markus Subject: recent traffic camera article Tom,I read your recent article on traffic cameras in Iowa City and would like to express my view against such a policy.I feel this is the slippery slope down orwell's big brother technocracy and a direct assault on my individual rights.I live in a rural community roughly 45 miles from iowa city,cedar rapids,waterloo. Prior to CR's camera policy I roughly made 2 shopping trips a month to CR,since they have installed cameras I have made none,to IC's and Waterloo's gain in revenue.I have read no comparative research on the out of town(rural) revenue brought into CR pre/post traffic cameras, but through my conversations with neighbors and friends suspect that a significant decline has occured.Please do not sell surrounding(rural) residence's short on intelligence and resolve,when faced with an assault on our resources and rights we have always responded with high degree of response with our revenue and vote, as demonstrated by recent state house explorations.Thank you for your time,Robert Wolf Marian Karr From: Tom Markus Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2011 8:44 AM To: Marian Karr Subject: FW: red light cameras anon-issue in Iowa City Future distribution From: kj4cress@aol.com [mailto:kj4cress@aol.com] Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2011 5:25 PM To: Tom Markus Subject: red light cameras anon-issue in Iowa City Dear Tom Markus, Welcome to Iowa City. wanted to weigh in on the issue of red light cameras in Iowa City. I think it is a non issue for Iowa City. To add them would be for greedy purposes, not safety. I have a job that requires that I drive all over town throughout every day. The only time that I see a red light issue is in the downtown area when a car is entering the intersection only to have to stop mid way because a pedestrian is crossing (with or against the light). We are a college town, a pedestrian friendly town, a bicycling town. If you can't handle the increased University, Community College or sporting event foot traffic when the classes change, or the events begin and end, then you learn other routes. On the east side, west side, north and south, traffic seems to flow pretty well. During the two peak times of day in the morning and late afternoon when workers are driving in masses, it appears to me to be again - no issue. We have gotten frequent news reports about the issues in Cedar Rapids with their red light and speeding cameras. They have much different traffic patterns there and a major highway with high speeds over their town. I hope that Iowa City does not add red light cameras, and stays the friendly and safe town that it is, and doesn't add the outrage that the cameras have caused in other towns. Thank you for listening. Kayla Cress 4506 Dryden Ct. Iowa City, IA 52245 Traffic camera fans, foes remain, a year after installation by Jeff Raasch -The Gazette 7 March 2011 - ~ ,~ ~,,, ~ y - ~~ ,~, A view of 380 from the 7th street bridge photographed, Sunday March 6, 2011, in Cedar Rapids. (Becky Malewitz/The Gazette) Ada Camp hears quite a bit when she cleans at the Interstate 380 rest stop south of Cedar Rapids, and one topic comes up regularly: Traffic cameras. Camp, 69, said most people she has talked to, including truck drivers and out-of-towners, don't mind them. And, like most, she has her own opinion. "I don't know why people are complaining, truthfully," said Camp, of Cedar Rapids. "If you drive decent, you don't have to worry about it. If you're not going to be driving decent, get off the road." On March 14, it will have been one year since camera-generated citations started going out from the monitored intersections. Eight intersections in Cedar Rapids are watched automatically now, as is I-380 at four points where the freeway twists through downtown. The city also has a mobile unit that monitors speeding. It's added up to big money and significantly fewer crashes, according to police statistics. Through February, the city has made $2.3 million from the camera system, according to data from camera vendor Gatso USA, which exceeded by threefold the $750,000 projected first-year revenue. Cedar Rapids Police Chief Greg Graham said crashes citywide dropped by 8 percent from 2009 to 2010, and injury crashes fell 16 percent. Instead of working crashes, officers went to neighborhoods. Graham said the extra officers in neighborhoods helped reduce violent crime by 2 percent and property crime by 12 percent last year. "Being able to redeploy those resources to actually combat crime, rather than working crashes, has helped reduce crime, along with all the other programs we do in the neighborhoods," Graham said. Camera critic Ron Richardson, 55, a truck driver from Burlington, said he doesn't believe the only motive for the cameras is public safety. If it was, he said, the drivers who are breaking the law repeatedly would be stripped of their driving privileges. "These people aren't being penalized, as long as they've got plenty of money to pay the fines," Richardson said. "He's not going to be off the roads. He's still going to be driving crazy, until he's broke." Graham admits that the civil penalty system is not ideal, but said it's the only real option, because the tickets are sent to the registered owner, not necessarily the driver. It's not realistic to implement an administrative process to determine who was actually driving, or to reconfigure the cameras so they photograph the driver, he said. "Can you imagine the outcry if we started taking pictures of people inside cars?" Graham said. According to statistics reviewed by The Gazette, 68 percent of the mailed camera- generated citations have been paid, and less than 1 percent have been overturned. Most of the rest that are past due were forwarded to a collections agency hired by the city. The cameras are nothing if not consistent, and they certainly don't take holidays off. On Christmas Day last year, 260 citations were issued. Ninety-five percent of the citations are from speeders on I-380. In six months, violations in the northbound lanes at Diagonal Drive have dropped 79 percent. Travis Bushaw, 26, of Oelwein, said the cameras have evened the pace of traffic on I- 380, and now most people are within five miles per hour of the speed limit. He commuted between North Liberty and Cedar Rapids for two years until a recent move. "I have to admit, I'm a big fan of them," said Bushaw, during a pit stop at an I-380 rest stop last week. "It's really slowed down traffic through there. Some days, it was pretty scary making that commute." But it's the money draws the attention of most people, Graham said. He said he hopes to spend about $250,000 of the additional money on new flashing signs for school zones, and another $80,000 to upgrade the video camera systems in the patrol cars. The current dashcam vendor went bankrupt, he said. The City Council will make the final call. Graham said the extra money is essentially property tax relief, because his $30 million police budget is reduced by the amount the city projects to make from the traffic cameras. He said it adds up to less money pulled from the city's general fund, which is funded by property taxes. There are no plans to add additional cameras in Cedar Rapids, although the camera at Second Avenue and 10th Street SE will eventually be moved when part of Second Avenue is closed for a new medical mall, Graham said. An analysis is under way to determine which new intersection will be monitored. Graham said a study will be done this summer to determine if a speed zone should be established for the "S-curve" on I-380. He's heard reports that drivers slow down for the cameras, but then speed up again, as soon they're past them. If a speed zone is established, a driver would get one ticket if they make it from the first set of the cameras to the second set of cameras too quickly. "If it shows that people are driving the right speed through there, we won't do anything, and we'll keep monitoring it," Graham said. "If we need to change it, we'll change it." Officers cite positives from use of traffic cameras by Rod Boshart 23 February 2011 ~ The Gazette Law officers from cities that operate speed and red-light cameras made a show of force Tuesday at the Statehouse in support of the automated traffic-enforcement systems. Davenport Police Chief Frank Donchez Jr. told a House subcommittee he didn't understand "why there's such a hubbub" over the cameras that have dramatically reduced crashes at intersection, slowed vehicle speeds and caused insurance rates to "tickle down" over his community's seven-year experience with traffic-control cameras. Likewise, Cedar Rapids Policy Chief Greg Graham said his town has seen similar double-digit drops in vehicles crashes, injuries and traffic violations since cameras went up last year. "I can tell you it's been very successful," he told lawmakers. "It's changed driver behavior in Cedar Rapids." Law officers from at least five Iowa communities were drawn to the Capitol for the start of work by a House Transportation subcommittee on a measure (House Study Bill 93) that proposes to bring uniformity in the operation of automated traffic enforcement systems and cap fines imposed for violations detected by speed or red-light cameras at $50. The bill also would require signage denoting camera-enforced areas and verification of violations by a certified police officer. "We aren't looking at a ban," said Rep. Ralph Watts, R-Adel, chairman of the five- member House subcommittee. "Since these have become quite common throughout the state, there may be a need for them to be standardized. We've got a variety of policies. We hope to bring some uniformity to that." Police officials testified that the driving force behind the cameras is public safety, not revenue, but Watts requested numbers from communities with camera systems to verify that claim. Donchez said the city's share of revenue from the new enforcement tool has enabled police to purchase "speed boards" to be operated near Davenport's schools to help hold down speeds in zones where children are present. Graham said all the proceeds in Cedar Rapids have been pumped back into public safety and have reduced the potential for property tax increases. He noted that about 1 percent of the 1.3 million cars that travel Interstate 380 daily in Cedar Rapids are going in excess of 69 mph and "those are the people that we're holding accountable." "The point of the system is to get people to slow down, not to cite them," Graham said. "We're not sneaking around, jumping out from behind a billboard and scaring people." Rep. Walt Rogers, R-Waterloo, said the traffic cameras appear to have produced some "real good success," but he noted there are concerns the use of automated traffic enforcement devices could "go too far." Megan Peiffer of the Iowa League of Cities said she understands "the Big Brother fear that's out there," but she noted that voters can hold elected officials accountable if they do not support the placement of traffic-enforcement cameras. "When we went to stop watches to radar there was a big hullabaloo and outcry if we can trust that technology and now it's standard operating procedure," said Clive City Manager Dennis Henderson, who noted that stop lights have replaced police patrol at many intersections. Marty Ryan of Fawkes-Lee & Ryan public policy advocates said he was concerned about the potential for abuse if the popularity of the cameras spreads to smaller communities and the changes proposed in House Study Bi1193 would be better than the current situation. He said he supported the $50 limit on fines and, while he anticipated there would be attempts to raise that level, he added that "it shouldn't become the cash cow that many people think it is." Watts said he expected to hold one more subcommittee meeting on the proposed legislation to allow time for it to be considered by the full House Transportation Committee before the March 4 "funnel" deadline for policy bills to clear one legislative committee to remain eligible for debate yet this session. City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: April 21, 2010 To: City Council ~ O ~~ From: Eleanor M. Dilkes, City Attorne Re: Exceptions to "Legal Age" Bar Entry Requirements Alcohol as Gaming Device Prizes At Council's direction, the work session agenda for April 26, 2010 includes the above two items. In both cases Council has expressed an interest in discussing possible exceptions to the general rules that have been enacted by ordinance. Staff is awaiting direction from Council on what exceptions, if any, Council would like staff to examine. Bar Entrv Reauirement. Effective June 1, 2010 the "bar entry" age in Iowa City will be the "legal age", which is currently 21 years of age. As you consider exceptions it is important to remember that there are already a number of situations in which the "bar entry" age does not apply, including the following: 1. Prior to 10:00 p.m. 2. In an establishment that has obtained an exception by demonstrating that its primary business purpose is not the sale of alcoholic beverages (more than 50% of gross sales are from goods and services other than alcohol but not including cover charges) 3. In an establishment during an alcohol free event pursuant to a plan approved by the Police Chief. I have attached a copy of the applicable section of the City Code. This is the same exception that has been in place since Council's adoption of the 19 bar entry age in 2003. No establishment has presented such a plan for approval. Some members of Council have indicated an interest in looking at a mechanism to split establishments into non-alcohol and alcohol areas. Both the City Clerk and I recall that Council discussed this. possibility during the deliberations in 2003. Legally, such an exception to the bar entry age could be crafted. The difficulties lie with enforcement and the fact that many establishments are not built in such a way to allow successful separation (e.g. placement of restrooms). If Council is interested in pursuing this type of exception we will need to consult with the police department and the Housing and Inspection Services Department about the hurdles involved. Gamina Devices and Alcohol Prizes: I am attaching my staffs letter of February 1, 2010 to liquor licensees regarding this matter. Ordinance changes can range from repeal of the entire prohibition, exception when a state approved gaming device is involved, or exception of certain establishments (assuming there is a rational basis for distinguishing between such entities). cc: Dale Helling, Interim City Manager Marian Karr, City Clerk Eric Goers, Assistant City Attorney eleanor/mem/absence6-02. doc iterlirig Codiiters, Inc. Page 1 of 2 This section has been affected by a recently passed ordinance, 4388 -UNDER "LEGAL AGE". Go to new ordinance. 4-5-8: PERSONS UNDER NINETEEN YEARS OF AGE IN LICENSED OR PERMITTED ESTABLISHMENTS: A. No person, individual, association, corporation, partnership or club holding a liquor control license, wine or beer permit, which authorizes on the premises consumption, nor his or her agents or employees shall allow a person who has not yet attained nineteen (19) years of age to enter or remain in the licensed or permitted establishment between the hours of ten o'clock (10:00) P.M. and closing. B. However, the provisions of subsection A of this section shall not apply when: 1. The person under nineteen (19) years of age is an employee of the license or permit holder, or performing a contracted service for the license or permit holder on the premises, and is on the premises during his or her scheduled work hours. 2. The person under nineteen (19) years of age is accompanied by a parent, guardian, spouse or domestic partner registered as such under section 2-tr3 of this code who is nineteen (19) years of age or older. 3. The licensee or permittee applies for and qualifies for an exception certificate from the chief of police, or his or her designee, as follows: a. A licensee or permittee whose primary business purpose is not the sale of alcoholic beverages, wine or beer may qualify for an exception by filing with the city clerk a verified statement from a certified public accountant or an accountant which establishes that on average over a calendar year more than fifty percent (50%) of the licensee's or permittee's gross sales on the premises are from the sale of goods or services other than alcoholic beverages, wine or beer, which sales shall not indude income from fees charged to gain entry to or remain on the premises, such as cover charges, drink mixes or any part of an alcoholic beverage as defined in chapter 123 of the state code. The statement shall state the actual percentage of such sales and be based on records made in the regular course of the licensee's or permittee's business. b. In addition to the aforementioned statement, proof of qualification for the exception may include the business records on which the statement is based, state and federal tax records, applications for dramshop insurance and audits performed to determine dramshop insurance premiums, and receipts from vendors for goods purchased, which records shall be made available to the chief of police or designee for review upon request. The chief of police or designee shall issue an exception certificate if the licensee has satisfied the above requirements. d. An exception certificate shall be effective for the duration of the alcoholic liquor control license, wine or beer permit. e. A new licensee or permittee as opposed to one applying for a renewal of an existing license or permit, whose primary business purpose is not the sale of alcoholic beverages, wine or beer may obtain a temporary six (6) months' exception certificate if the licensee's or permittee's business plan anticipates sales as required by subsection B3a of this section and the licensee or permittee submits an affidavit which details the nature of the new establishment and the antidpated percentage of sales of food and nonalcoholic beverages. At the end of the six (6) month period the licensee or permittee may obtain an exception certificate for the remainder of the duration of the license or permit in accordance with subsections B3a through Bic of this section ff sales during the six (ti) month period support an exception. f. To be effective in excepting the licensee or permittee from the prohibition in subsection A of this section, the exception certificate issued by the chief of police or designee must be posted at every entrance to the licensed or permitted establishment in view of patrons of the licensed or permitted establishments. 4. The person under nineteen (19) years of age is on the premises during a time that the licensee or permittee has, in accordance with a written notice and plan given in advance to and approved by the chief of police or designee, suspended dispensing alcoholic beverages on the licensed premises. Said plan must provide a method by which alcoholic beverages will be out of sight and reach of patrons. If the plan is approved, the chief of police or designee shall issue a certificate approving the event, which certificate shall be posted at every entrance to the licensed establishment in view of patrons of the licensed or permitted establishment. It shall be the strict duty of a licensee or permittee permitting such persons under nineteen (19) years of age onto the licensed premises pursuant to such a plan, and the agents and employees of the licensee or permittee, to prevent persons under the legal age from consuming or possessing alcoholic beverages on said premises. (Ord. 03-4073, 5-6-2003, eff. 8-1-2003) 5. The person under nineteen (19) years of age is a patron of an "authorized entity" which has entered into an agreement with the city for use of an "authorized site" in a city park, pursuant to subsection 4-5-3D of this chapter. (Ord. 04-4123, 4-20-2004) ;. Between ten o'clock (10:00) P.M. and closing, no person under nineteen (19) years of age shall enter into or remain on the premises of a I' red or permitted establishment which authorizes on the premises consumption unless: 1. The person is accompanied by a parent, guardian, spouse or domestic partner registered as such under section 2-6-3 of this code who is nineteen (19) years of age or older; tp://www.sterlingcodifiers.com/codebook/getBookData.php?id=&section_id=455065&keywords= 4/21/2010 COPY February 1, 20'10 Re: Gaming devices and alcohol prizes Dear Liquor Licensee: ~ r 1 ~~~~~~ ~! ;rul1ir. ,~ ~~,.~r CITY OF IOWA CITY City Attorney's Office 410 East Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240-1826 (319) 356-5030 (319) 356-5008 FAX www. icgov.org It has come to our attention that many licensees in Iowa City have gaming devices in their establishments that distribute tickets to winners with which they can purchase goods and services at the establishment. While the devices are regulated by the State, and may be legal under State law, licensees must be mindful of Iowa City Ordinance 4-5-7, as follows: 4-5-7: LIMITATIONS ON SALES: A. Unlawful: It shall be unlawful for a holder of a liquor control license, or wine permit or beer permit, or its employees or agents, to do any of the following: 5. Encourage or permit any game or contest or tournament of any kind which involves drinking any alcoholic liquor, wine, or beer or the awarding of alcoholic liquor, wine, or beer as a prize. (emphasis added.) Because of the limitations of this ordinance, no alcoholic beverage, bar tab, or bar credit can be awarded as winnings from these gaming devices. More specifically, no winning tickets or vouchers can be redeemed for alcohol. It bears reminding that no alcoholic beverage, bar tab, or bar credit can be awarded as a prize for any other contests, games or tournaments, such as Halloween or other costume contests. Should you have any questions regarding the legality of any drink special or contest, please do not hesitate to contact me. We prefer to help prevent violations rather than prosecute them. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Eric R. Goers Assistant City Attorney cc: Marian Karr, City Clerk Sergeant Denise Brotherton, ICPD Eleanor M. Dilkes, City Attorney IP4 SUMMARY OF PENDING WORK SESSION ISSUES 3/17/11 Downtown Planning (APRIL) Commercial Vending in Melrose Avenue Area (APRIL) New Animal Shelter (APRIL 18) 2012 Farmers' Market (MAY 2) Sanctuary City Review Function of Boards/Commissions: Explore Possible Consolidations Flood Response & Mitigation Update (PERIODIC) April 4 - 5 April 18 -19 May 2 - 3 May 16 - 17 IP5 ~..~ ~' CITY OF IOWA CITY (•ARALVII.LE ~o~.x3so~ March 11, 2011 Nancy Richardson, Director The Iowa Department of Transportation 800 Lincoln Way Ames, Iowa 50010 Re: Commitment for Amtrak operating funds Dear Ms. Richardson: C~O~~ On behalf of the City of Iowa City, the City of Coralville, and the Johnson County Board of Supervisors, please accept this letter as our commitment to the operating funding needed for the proposed Chicago to Iowa City Passenger Rail Project. We are aware the Iowa Department of Transportation, in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Transportation, has received $230 million from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to initiate intercity passenger rail service from Chicago to Iowa City via the Quad Cities. The local governments in Johnson County have provided many letters of support over the past year for this project as it will have a great impact on the Iowa City/Johnson County area and, we believe, the State. This project will allow Iowa to fulfill its vision for expanded passenger rail service as documented in the State's Rail Plan, the State Transportation Plan, and the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative. It is our understanding that Governor Branstad has requested there be a local financial commitment to the ongoing operation costs for the passenger rail service project in order for the project to proceed. This letter, signed by the representatives below, establishes our commitment to the financing proposal that was outlined by the Iowa Department of Transportation at our meeting on March 4, 2011. We are prepared to pursue this financial commitment through methods such as the use of a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district surrounding the depot location, parking fee surcharges, local option sales tax and possibly hotel/motel tax funds. This commitment is being made many years before the actual passenger rail service will be implemented but we are certain that the local support will continue. We government entities of Johnson County are prepared to invest in the development and operation of the passenger rail project and we also enthusiastically support the future expansion of the service to Des Moines and western Iowa. Expansion of the service will be crucial to the success of passenger rail service in our state. We appreciate the opportunity to voice our support for this project. Sincerely, Matthew J. Hayek Mayor, City of Iowa City Pat Harney G2 %~~~ Chairperson, Johnson County Board of Supervisors Ji Fausett yor, City of Coralville w/jccogtpAtrs/PassRail-Joint-3-2011 IP6 ~' ~, _~ >~,t... C ~, "=~ti' Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County l~ Date: March 8, 2011 -. /p To: Dave Ricketts, Director, UI Parking and Transportation ~~'~ Ron Knoche, City Engineer, City of Iowa City From: John Yapp, Director ~'y~"~ Re: Emerald St./Melrose Ave./Finkbine Road Intersection Study Attached is the traffic signal warrant study and eastbound left turn lane analysis for the Emerald St./Melrose Ave./Finkbine Road intersection. This study was completed at the request of the University of Iowa as part of the FY11 MPO Transportation Planning Work Program. A separate left turn lane is only warranted for one hour (am peak hour) during a 24 hour period. However, staff observed no more than two vehicles making the eastbound to northbound movement queued at any given time. The Melrose Ave./Sunset St. traffic signal to the east of Finkbine Road helps to create gaps in traffic in the westbound stream, which aids left turning vehicles at Melrose Ave./Finkbine Road. Melrose Ave. is four lanes wide at this location. Traffic signal Warrant 8, the roadway network warrant, is the only signalization Warrant which was met. Warrant 8 was met due to the total traffic volume using the intersection and the location of Melrose Ave. in the context of the larger arterial street network. Most of the traffic signal warrants, including the 8 hour volume, 4 hour volume, and peak hour volume warrants were not met. In addition, the analysis shows that adding a traffic signal to this intersection will increase intersection delay substantially for most vehicles. There is not a collision history to support signalization at this intersection. Although we are not recommending signalization at this time, our study found that with moderate increases in northbound and southbound traffic a traffic signal will be closer to meeting warrants for installation. We recommend signalization be revisited in conjunction with any redevelopment initiatives which would increase northbound and southbound traffic, using this study as baseline information. Cc: Tom Markus Dale Helling Rick Fosse Jeff Davidson John Soboski Guy Irvin mpojcad m/mem/fi nkbinestud y.doc Date: March 17, 2011 To: John Yapp; Executive Director From: Kent Ralston; Assistant Transportation Planner C 1 Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County Re: Emerald Street / Melrose Avenue /Finkbine Road Intersection Study INTRODUCTION This memorandum documents a traffic signal warrant study and dedicated left-turn analysis for the intersection of Emerald Street / Melrose Avenue /Finkbine Road in Iowa City. This study was done at the request of the University of Iowa to assess the need for a traffic signal and/or dedicated left-turn lane at this intersection. Me r ~-. ;~ .. Figure 1 -Study Area EXISTING CONDITIONS Figure 1 shows an aerial view of the intersection of Melrose Avenue (east-west) and Emerald Street /Finkbine Road (north-south). The study area is currently only stop controlled for north and southbound traffic. Melrose Avenue (east of the intersection) has a posted speed limit of 35 mph while the posted speed limit transitions from 25 to 35 mph for westbound traffic at the intersection. Both Emerald Street (south of the intersection) and Finkbine Road (north of the intersection) have a posted speed limit of 25 mph within the study area. The study area is located west of the City of University Heights on Melrose Avenue at the intersection of Emerald Street and Finkbine Road. Melrose Avenue connects both the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics campus and the downtown Iowa City business district to Highway 218 to the west. Emerald Street is a local street that has its northern terminus at Melrose Avenue and Finkbine Road is an institutional road used to access the University of Iowa Finkbine Commuter Parking Lot and Finkbine Golf Course -Finkbine Road is owned and maintained by the University of Iowa. ~4_lc: Emerald Street / Melrose Avenue /Finkbine Road Traffic Study 4.l Traffic Counts MPO staff collected 24-hour traffic counts at the intersection November 16-19, 2010. Melrose Avenue recorded 14,723 vehicles per day (vpd) west of Emerald Street and 14,049 vpd east of Emerald Street. Emerald Street recorded 523 vpd south of Melrose Avenue and Finkbine Road recorded 2,872 north of Melrose Avenue. Figure 2 depicts the recorded traffic counts at the intersection. Figure 3 depicts the observed AM and PM peak hour counts (by movement) collected on October 13t" and 20t", 2010. Figure 2: 24- Hour Average Daily Traffic (ADT) Counts r 0 X47 C°yf ~ ~ZO'1 ~~ 4 4,482 .-. - 7,4s9 - - 2,872 ~ 4,262 3,097 .- 5,885 14,723 - 7, 224 -i - 9,s3s ~--• Melrose Ave. 523 -- 7,x40 --- a4,o4s ~ ~-- 2,878 s,sos v~ m w Figure 3: Peak Hour Traffic Counts aM 7 2 3 PM 216 23 38 ~._~' 1 f s AM PM ~ N \ L AM PM 171 9 ""~•~~ - g 57 8 r~, 1005 641 ~~ ~,'` , ~'~~~~ ~` 535 1215 23 29 ~~~~'" ~"~_u 6 35 U aM 18 6 18 PM 24 1 17 2 ~~~!€: Emerald Street / Melrose Avenue /Finkbine Road Traffic Study DEDICATED LEFT-TURN LANE ANALYSIS Staff reviewed peak hour turning movements at the intersection (collected October 2010) and observed that a dedicated left-turn lane is currently only warranted for (1) hour during the AM peak period and is not warranted for any PM peak hour per American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) guidelines. Staff also visually observed the AM peak period in the field on January 20, 2011 and did not witness eastbound motorists on Melrose Avenue having difficulty making left-turns onto Finkbine Road. Staff did not observe more than two vehicles queued at any given time trying to make the eastbound to northbound movement or any left-turning vehicles experiencing unacceptable amounts of delay. Based on this analysis, staff does not recommend making any adjustments to the eastbound left-turn lane configuration at this time. TRAFFIC SIGNAL WARRANT ANALYSIS A traffic signal warrant analysis is performed to determine the need for a traffic signal. At a minimum, at least 1 of the 8 warrants must be met, but the satisfaction of a warrant does not in itself require the installation of a traffic signal. The 8 traffic signal warrants are as follows: 1) Eight-Hour Vehicular Volume 2) Four-Hour Vehicular Volume 3) Peak Hour 4) Pedestrian Volume (not evaluated) 5) School Crossing (not evaluated) 6) Coordinated Signal System (not evaluated) 7) Crash Experience 8) Roadway Network Please see the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) for further detail of each warrant. Traffic signal warrants 1-3, 7, and 8 of the MUTCD were evaluated with respect to the observed traffic volumes. Twenty-four hour traffic counts used in Warrants 2 and 3 were performed between November 16-19, 2010. Warrants 4, 5, and 6 are not applicable to this intersection due to the following: • Warrant 4 was not evaluated due to the low presence of pedestrians. • Warrant 5 was not evaluated due to lack of a school in the area. Warrant 6 was not evaluated because current traffic control functions independent of other signalized intersections. Warrant 1 Analysis -Eight-Hour Vehicular Volume Warrant 1 a -Minimum Vehicular Volume Warrant 1 a examines whether the intersection meets the minimum vehicular volume per hour to warrant a traffic signal. Eight 1-hour periods must meet appropriate traffic volumes. With an 85th percentile speed of less than 40 mph, Melrose Avenue must have a total of 600 vehicles entering the intersection and the higher volume minor leg must have 150 vehicles entering the intersection to meet Warrant 1a. Only One 1-hour period met these required volumes therefore Warrant 1 a is not met (Table 1). Emerald Street / Melrose Avenue /Finkbine Road Traffic Study ~~ Warrant 1 b -Interruption of Continuous Traffic Warrant 1 b examines whether the traffic on the major street is so heavy that traffic on a minor street suffers excessive delay or conflict in entering or crossing the major street. With an 85tH percentile speed of less than 40mph, Melrose Avenue must have a total of 900 entering vehicles and the higher volume minor leg must have 75 vehicles entering the intersection to meet Warrant 1 B. Only three 1-hour periods met the required volumes therefore Warrant 1 b is not met (Table 1). Table 1: Warrant 1 -Eight Hour Vehicular Volume Warrant 1 - Eight-Hour Vehicular Volume Condition A -Minimum Vehicular Volume Condition B -Interruption of Continuous Traffic Emerald Street / Melrose Avenue /Finkbine Road Intersection Iowa City, IA Data Gathered: November 16-19, 2010 JCMPO Entering Traff ic Total Ma or Highest W t d? Time Melrose Avenue Emerald St / Finkbine Rd Enterin j Street Volume arran e Westbound Eastbound Northbound Southbound g Traffic Total Minor Approach 1a 1b 0100 31 18 3 0 51 48 3 No No 0200 24 12 2 0 38 36 2 No No 0300 10 11 1 0 22 21 1 No No 0400 15 22 1 0 38 37 1 No No 0500 46 88 6 0 141 134 6 No No 0600 139 414 15 1 569 553 15 No No 0700 378 746 23 5 1152 1124 23 No No 0800 314 653 30 6 1002 967 30 No No 0900 305 468 17 7 796 773 17 No No 1000 356 407 18 7 788 764 18 No No 1100 421 373 15 13 822 794 15 No No 1200 437 457 15 15 923 894 15 No No 1300 422 407 16 17 863 829 17 No No 1400 501 480 18 30 1029 982 30 No No 1500 627 419 19 83 1149 1046 83 No Yes 1600 782 446 20 130 1379 1229 130 No Yes 1700 673 479 27 150 1329 1152 150 Yes Yes 1800 443 429 29 33 934 872 33 No No 1900 331 285 22 28 666 616 28 No No 2000 282 222 13 12 530 504 13 No No 2100 194 168 14 3 378 361 14 No No 2200 115 119 10 4 248 234 10 No No 2300 104 55 6 1 166 159 6 No No 2400 55 33 2 1 92 88 2 No No 4 ~~V€: Emerald Street / Melrose Avenue /Finkbine Road Traffic Study Warrant 2 Analysis -Four-Hour Vehicular Volume The four-hour vehicle volume signal warrant conditions are intended to be applied where the volume of intersecting traffic is a principal reason to consider installing a traffic control signal. To meet Warrant 2, traffic volumes on both streets must meet the required volume threshold for four 1-hour periods. Figure 4 graphically depicts the required vehicular volume threshold for the major and minor streets (red line) in comparison to the observed volumes. Both Figure 4 and Table 2 show that three 1-hr periods met the required vehicular volumes threshold; therefore Warrant 2 is not met. Table 2: Four-Hour Vehicular Volume* Warrant 2, Four-Hour Vehicular Volume Emerald St / Melrose Ave /Finkbine Rd Intersection Entering Traffic Hour threshold Melrose Avenue Emerald St / Finkbine Rd Meet's volume Legend met Major Street Minor Street threshold 1400 982 30 No 1500 1046 83 YES p 1600 1229 130 YES p 1700 1152 150 YES p 'This table contains the highest observed hours that met the required minimum vehicular volumes Figure 4: Four-Hour Vehicular 2 400 a 2 U ~a W O ww wa I- ~ ~Q ww O~ z~ - J ~ 0 o~ "60 w "60 2 ~_ 2 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 MAJOR STREET-TOTAL OF BOTH APPROACHES- VEHICLES PER HOUR (VPH) "Note: 80 vph applies as the lower threshold volume for aminor-street approach with two or more lanes and 60 vph applies as the lower threshold volume for aminor-street approach with one lane. ~2 OR MOR E LANES & 2 OR MO RE LANE S 300 2 OR MO RE LANES & 1 LAN E 200 1 LANE & 1 LA NE l00 (4) 1-hr periods must be at or above this threshold, th f W t 2 i t t ere ore arran s no me ~~1~. Emerald Street / Melrose Avenue /Finkbine Road Traffic Study Warrant 3 Analysis -Peak Hour The peak hour signal warrant is intended for use at a location where traffic conditions are such that for a minimum of one hour on an average day, the minor street traffic suffers undue delay when entering or crossing the major street. Peak hour traffic volumes on both streets must meet required thresholds under Warrant 3. Figure 5 graphically depicts the required vehicular volume threshold for the major and minor streets (red line) in comparison to the observed volumes. Neither the AM or PM peak hours meet the required thresholds; therefore Warrant 3 is not met. Table 3: Peak Hour Warrant Warrant 3, Peak Hour Emerald Street / Melrose Avenue /Finkbine Road Intersection Emerald /Finkbine Melrose Avenue Warranted? Legend Highest Vol. Approach Entering Traffic AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM 30 150 967 1152 No No Q ~ Figure 5: Peak Hour Warrant Threshold & Observed Volumes Figure 4C-3 Warrant 3, Peak Hour Bao x o_ 2 ~a w~ W ~ ~ o. ~ o_ a: oW z~ ~ ~ '150 O ~ '100 2 C7 2 400 500 B00 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 MAJOR STREET-TOTAL OF BOTH APPROACHES- VEHICLES PER HOUR (VPH) *Note:150 vph applies as the lower threshold volume for a minor~street approach with two or more lanes and 100 vph applies as the lower threshold volume for a minor~treet approach with one lane, 500 2 OR MORE LANES & 2 OR MORE LANES 440 2 OR MORE LANES & 1 LANE 300 1 LANE & 1 LANE Neither peak periods are above the threshold, therefore Warrant 3 is not met 6 ~~~!€: Emerald Street / Melrose Avenue /Finkbine Road Traffic Study Warrant 7 Analysis -Collision Experience Because the installation of traffic signals often results in a trade of one type of collision for another, Warrant 7 states that there must be 5 crashes of a type correctable by a signal in twelve months. From 2008 -2010, there were a total of 7 collisions at the Emerald / Melrose / Finkbine intersection. Table 4 shows that (43%) were sideswipe, same direction collisions. The collisions correctable by a signal are broadside collisions and angled oncoming left-turn collisions. There were three collisions during the reporting period that meet this criterion; however, the most broadside collisions occurring in one single year was 2. Warrant 7 is not met. Table 4: Collision Experience Warrant 7 -Crash Experience McCollister /Mormon Trek Boulevard & Old Highway 218: 2007 - 2009 Type of Crash Number of Collisions Warranted? ~~ 5 per year) Rear-End 1 No Broadside* 2 No Non-Collision 0 No Angle, oncoming left turn* 1 No Sideswipe, same direction 3 No Total Number of Collisions 7 No * Types of collisions considered correctable by signalization Warrant 8 Analysis -Roadway Network Warrant 8 is used when evaluating whether a traffic signal at an intersection might be justified to encourage concentration and organization of traffic flow on a roadway network. Warrant 8 is met when one or both of the following criteria are met: A. The intersection has a total existing, or immediately projected, entering volume of at least 1,000 vehicles per hour during the peak hour of a typical weekday and has 5-year projected traffic volumes, based on an engineering study, that meet one or more of Warrants 1, 2 and 3 during an average weekday, or B. The intersection has a total existing or immediately projected entering volume of at least 1, 000 vehicles per hour for each of any 5 hours of anon-normal business day (Saturday or Sunday). A major route as used in this signal warrant shall have one or more of the following characteristics: A. It is part of the street or highway system that serves as the principal roadway network for through traffic flow; or B. It includes rural or suburban highways outside, entering, or traversing a City; or C. It appears as a major route on an official plan, such as a major street plan in an urban traffic and transportation study. The Emerald Street / Melrose Avenue /Finkbine Road intersection has over 1,000 entering vehicles per hour during both the AM and PM peak hours; therefore the intersection meets Criteria A. Based on the adjacent land uses (there are no large scale commercial activities in 7 Emerald Street / Melrose Avenue /Finkbine Road Traffic Study ~~ the area), it is highly unlikely that the intersection has more than 1,000 vehicles per hour for any 5 hours on a Saturday or Sunday, therefore the intersection does not meet Criteria B. Under major route characteristics, the Melrose Avenue /Emerald Street intersection is part of the Iowa City arterial street system. Melrose Avenue is an east-west arterial street linking Highway 218 with the central business district of Iowa City. Melrose Avenue serves as part of the principal roadway network for through traffic flow in Iowa City, therefore major route Characteristic A is met. To the west of the intersection, Melrose Avenue enters rural Johnson County and provides access to Highway 218, therefore Characteristic B is met. Melrose Avenue appears in the adopted JCCOG Long Range Transportation Plan as part of the official arterial street network, therefore Characteristic C is met. As the Melrose Avenue /Emerald Street /Finkbine Road intersection meets Criteria A and Characteristics A, B, and C of Warrant 8, Warrant 8 is met. CAPACITY ANALYSIS -TWO-WAY STOP-CONTROLLED INTERSECTION Existing intersection capacity was analyzed using unsignalized intersection capacity analysis methods outlined in the latest edition of the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) and using Synchro software. By using HCM methods, control delay is calculated as seconds of delay per vehicle and a corresponding level of service (LOS) is also shown. Level of service describes operating conditions based on a number of factors including speed and travel time, freedom to maneuver, traffic interruptions, and comfort & convenience. Table 5 (Synchro Exhibit 17-2) exhibits the LOS with its control delay ranges at two-way stop-controlled intersections. A LOS A represents the best operating conditions (free-flow movement) and LOS F represents the worst conditions, i.e. extreme congestion and stop-and-go conditions. Table 5: Level of Service Criteria for Two-Way Stop-Controlled Intersections Level of Service Average Control Delay (s/veh) A 0-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > 10 - 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > 15-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D >25-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > 35 - 50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F > 50 The morning (AM) and evening (PM) peak periods were analyzed for all approaches of the intersection. The east and westbound approaches operate with negligible delay, whereas the north and southbound approaches operate with an average delay of 23.7 s/veh and 25.8 s/veh respectfully in the AM and PM peak periods. ~~V€: Emerald Street / Melrose Avenue /Finkbine Road Traffic Study Table 6: Existing Conditions- Synchro Software Existing Conditions: Two-Way Stop Control Summary Melrose Avenue /Emerald Street /Finkbine Road, Iowa City, IA Di i Control Delay (s/veh) LOS rect on AM PM AM PM Melrose Avenue Eastbound 1.8 0.2 A A Westbound 0.1 0.2 A A Emerald Street &Finkbine Road Northbound 27.2 32.9 D D Southbound 20.1 18.7 C C CAPACITY ANALYSIS -SIGNALIZED INTERSECTION Existing intersection capacity under signalized conditions was analyzed using Synchro and SimTraffic software. Delay and LOS are calculated using the same methodology as unsignalized intersections, but the delay parameters are a little longer. Longer delays are acceptable at signalized intersections because the driver has a longer delay expectancy than at unsignalized intersections. Table 7 (Synchro Exhibit 16-2) exhibits the LOS with its control delay ranges at signalized intersections. Table 7: Level of Service Criteria for Signalized Intersections Level of Service Average Control Delay (s/veh) A <10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > 10-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . >20-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > 35 -55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > 55 - 80 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F ~ 8 0 SIGNALIZED INTERSECTION WITH PERMITTED LEFT TURNS Under signalized conditions with permitted left turns, the Melrose Avenue /Emerald Street / Finkbine Road intersection would operate relatively efficiently in both the AM and PM peak periods, with an average per-vehicle delay of 15-20 seconds. The greatest delay would be experienced by PM westbound movements on Melrose Avenue; however this movement would still operate well at a LOS C. All other movements would operate at LOS B or better. Protected /permitted signalized conditions for eastbound and westbound motorists were also analyzed for the Melrose Avenue /Emerald Street /Finkbine Road intersection. Results show that vehicle delay for all approaches are nearly identical to those of the permitted left-only conditions. Similar to permitted left-turn conditions, the greatest delay would be experienced by PM westbound movements on Melrose Avenue; however this movement would still operate well at a LOS C. All other movements would operate at LOS B or better. Since there is not collision history that necessitates protected left turns at the intersection, no further analysis of protected/permitted signalization was performed. 9 ~~lc: Emerald Street / Melrose Avenue /Finkbine Road Traffic Study Table 8 exhibits average delays and queue lengths under signalized conditions with permitted left turns. Table 8: Proposed Conditions: Signalized with Permitted Left Turns Melrose Avenue /Emerald Street /Finkbine Road -Iowa City, IA Movement Delay (sec) LOS Average Queue Length (ft) Maximum Queue Length (ft) AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM Emerald Street -Northbound Thru/Right/Left 9.5 8.5 A A 3 4 20 21 Finkbine Road -Southbound Thru/Right/Left 11.0 4.3 B A 1 8 7 29 Melrose Avenue -Eastbound Thru/Right/Left 18.6 19.1 B B 94 82 176 136 Melrose Avenue -Westbound Thru/Right/left 11.1 25.2 B C 33 165 64 262 CAPACITY ANALYSIS -EXISTING TWO- WAY STOP & SIGNALIZED DELAY AND LOS COMPARISON Table 9 compares the existing LOS and delay at the intersection with the LOS and delay under signalized conditions with permitted left turns. If signalized, all movements on Melrose Avenue experience a significant increase in delay and significant decrease in LOS. Movements on Emerald Street and Finkbine Road show substantial decreases in delay under signalized conditions and improve from a LOS D to a LOS of B (or better). Table 9: Comparison between existing Two-Way Stop & Signalized Intersection with Permitted Left Turns Melrose Avenue /Emerald Street /Finkbine Road Existing Two-Way Stop Proposed Signalized Intersection with Permitted Control Left Turns Direction Control Delay Control Delay LOS LOS (s/veh) (s/veh) AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM Melrose Avenue Eastbound 1.8 0.2 A A 18.6 19.1 B B Westbound 0.1 0.2 A A 11.1 25.2 B C Emerald Street /Finkbine Road Northbound 27.2 32.9 D D 9.5 8.5 A A Southbound 20.1 18.7 C C 11.0 4.3 B A 10 ~~~!€: Emerald Street / Melrose Avenue /Finkbine Road Traffic Study CONCLUSIONS Based on analysis of the MUTCD traffic signal warrants, a traffic signal at the intersection of Emerald Street / Melrose Avenue /Finkbine Road is warranted; Warrant 8 is met at the intersection, while Warrants 1 a, 1 b, 2, 3, and 7 are not met (Table 11). Table 11: Summary of Examined Warrants Warrant Description Warrant Met? 1 a Minimum Vehicular Volume No . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1 b . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interruption of Continuous Traffic .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Four Hour Vehicular Volumes .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Peak Hour Volumes .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pedestrian Volume .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . n/a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . School Crossing .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . n/a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Coordinated Signal System .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . n/a ................7................. ................................Crash...Experience................................ ..........................No........................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Roadwa Network .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Yes If the intersection were signalized with permitted left-turns for all approaches, intersection delay would increase significantly for all Melrose Avenue traffic movements from an existing overall average delay of 0.6 s/veh (LOS A) to 18.5 s/veh (LOS B) for the AM and PM periods. Under the same signalized conditions, delay for northbound movements for Emerald Street is significantly reduced resulting a change from existing LOS D in both the AM and PM periods to an overall LOS of A. Southbound movements on Finkbine Road see similar reductions in delay from existing LOS C to LOS B (or better) under signalized conditions. Although the approach with the worst delay under existing conditions (Emerald Street (LOS D)), could be corrected to a LOS A under signalized conditions, the remaining movements currently operate at an acceptable LOS of C (or better) and do not necessitate signalization of the intersection at this time. It should be noted that although northbound (Emerald Street) vehicles experience the worst delay under existing conditions (average of 30 s/veh); Emerald Street only carries 3% of the total average daily traffic volume at this intersection. Conversely, Melrose Avenue carries more than 75% of the existing total average daily traffic volume at the intersection. Therefore, even slight increases to the delay for east and westbound traffic (as would be the case under the proposed signalized conditions) would result in a significant net total increase in overall intersection delay. Given that there is not a significant collision history that warrants correction, and the proposed signalization would result in a significant net total increase in overall intersection delay, it is not recommended that the intersection be considered for signalization at this time. Should there be a significant increase in north or southbound traffic in the future, it would be appropriate to revisit this signal warrant analysis at that time. 11 Emerald Street / Melrose Avenue / Finkbine Road Traffic Study ~~ Appendix Appendix information is on file and available upon request S:\JCCOG\TRANS\Traffic Studies\Traffic Signals\Signal Warrant Analysis\Melrose & Emerald 12 r -- ^_,_,p~,~ CITY QF IOWA CITY IP7 ~~..I~'~~ DAM ~~' RA N E 1VI ~ M ~~ Date: March 16, 2011 To: City Council From: Rick Fosse, Director of Public Works Jeff Davidson, Director of Planning and Community Development Re: Update: Flood-related activities Engineering Division • The demolition of buyout properties continues. This includes preparing, contracting and inspecting the asbestos abatement and structure removals. • Staff is preparing a contract with the University of Iowa to conduct a Phase 1 Intensive Archeological Study. This work will be done this Spring. Dubuque Street Elevation and Park Road Bridge Reconstruction Project • The design team and City staff held the first public meeting to present the project and the process that we will be following. The design team had good interaction with the public and received many well thought out comments and suggestions. • HNTB made DOT and City revisions Purpose and Need. Will transmit Purpose and Need to DOT for FHWA approval. They will prepare Concurrence Point 1 package to send to reviewing agencies the week of March 14cn • HNTB continued the traffic analysis in coordination with JCCOG, including future traffic analysis, for No-Build condition which will be finalized the week of March 14th. and location study. • The design team began the Park Road Bridge type, size, • HNTB investigated alternative flood-protection roadway elevation levels (500+1 versus 100+1) and ramifications of 100+1 roadway in combination with 500+1 bridge. TAC attended a site analysis workshop to analyze existing site and aesthetic conditions and problems in the corridor, discussed priority issues. • HNTB presented preliminary range of initial alternatives to City for feedback, many which are not feasible but need to be studied for the NEPA process. • HNTB presented rough typical sections for on-alignment alternatives to City. • City staff attended Rancher and Mayflower coordination meetings. • Reviewed and commented on the Iowa River Hydraulic study prepared by HR Green. • City staff to review the initial screening criteria matrix the week of March 14tH • Continued coordination and response by City staff with residents. Wastewater Treatment Plant Consolidation Project • Received approval of Anti-Degradation report from IDNR on March 11 • Preparing for project design workshop at South Plant on March 18 • BioWin process modeling based on final WLA from IDNR • Developing Grit removal preliminary sizing and site arraignment March 16, 2011 Page 2 • Developing schemes for RAS/classifying selector design • Developing options for equalization of high strength waste from sludge processing • Evaluating options for mixing digester contents • Developing sizing and arraignment for primary sludge thickeners • Planning site visit to South Plant for evaluation and sampling • Working on preliminary engineering design report • SCI/BC face to face coordination meeting • Developing drawings and specification for Blower replacement Rocky Shore Drive Pump Station and Floodgates Project • Meeting with CRANDIC RR on Wednesday, March 16th • Scheduling meetings with neighboring property owners • Progressing on the hydraulics and hydrology • Progressing on field survey work • Progressing on a draft of memo regarding the pros, cons and opinions of cost on the types of removable flood walls and gates • Scheduling a design progress meeting -proposed 2 PM Monday, April 4 to discuss H&H study, alternatives and pump recommendations Iowa River Flood Modeling • Revisions based on the City's review comments are being made to the report. West Side Levee • City Attorney has sent out Request for Proposals for appraisal services. • MMS is reviewing wetland impacts. Water Division River Crossings A response to FEMA's status update request was sent on March 10th FEMA responded on March 15th that additional information and clarification would be needed. PW will respond. Peninsula Source Protection • The project is complete except a punch list items that should be complete by the end of March. Water Works Prairie Park Source Protection • The scope revisions are being processed for submittal to Iowa Homeland Security and FEMA. PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT A total of 69 residential properties have been acquired through disaster recovery buyout grants. Of the 69 properties, 32 of the properties have been acquired through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), 31 with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, and six with Community Disaster Grant (CDG) funds. A total of 52 properties have been demolished in the Parkview Terrace and Taft Speedway neighborhoods. March 16, 2011 Page 3 • An amendment to the CDBG buyout program was submitted to and approved by the Iowa Department of Economic Development in order to add four properties on Normandy Drive. The amendment will increase the number of properties eligible for a buyout with CDBG funds from 58 to 62. • The Iowa Department of Economic Development has given approval to proceed on the construction of 21 Single Family New Construction homes (16 for Round 3 and 5 for Round 2). Staff is finishing environmental reviews for the remaining 15 Single Family New Construction Program homes in Round 3. Staff has begun accepting homeowner applications and will hold a lottery drawing on April 8th • Applications for Federal Jumpstart funds for repair, rental rehabilitation, down payment assistance and interim mortgage assistance are still being accepted and funds are available. To date, $869,500 in Federal Jumpstart funding has been used to assist 18 households. • Staff has completed the scope of work for the Taft Speedway Levee impact evaluation and will be publishing a notice to let potential study contractors know the RFP process has begun. • Staff is continuing to provide information to our Congressional offices in Washington on our active federal flood recovery and mitigation grants so that they can deal with issues regarding the possible rescission of funds. IP8 Marian Karr From: Representative Dave Jacoby <david.jacoby@legis.state.ia.us> Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2011 6:05 PM To: Council Subject: Representative Jacoby Statehouse News 3-15-11 Conta Statehouse News Email aavia Mid Legislative Report on CoralVision Phony 319-3: I recorded the mid session legislative report with CoralVision on March 4th. Senator Bolcom, 515_Zf Representative Mascher, and I each have twenty minute segments in the episode. You can tune Agar, in to watch on Iowa City channel 4, Coralville channel 5, and North Liberty public access channel, 2sos r or you can click on the following link. c°ra`' Conm http://blip.ty/file/4874208 htt WWW Vote on HF 525 Last week we extensively debated collective bargaining rights for workers in our state. There _ _ were over one hundred proposed amendments, but Republicans halted debate around noon on Friday. Most of the amendments would have strengthened the bill, but were voted down on party Qnic4 lines. I voted no on HF 525, but the bill did pass out of the house. This week the bill moved over to the Senate but did not pass out of subcommittee. I will continue to fight for the middle Lister House CIaSS I House Schell Conference Committee curre This week I have been participating in the conference committee for SF 209/HF 45 (De- appropriation bill). The committee consists of ten members from the House and the Senate. We are working hard to compromise on program funding and tax issues. I especially will continue to focus on the middle class and our University. Please review SF 209 below and send me your thoughts and concerns! http~//coolice.legis.state.ia.us/Cool- i ICE/default asp~Category=billinfo&Service=Billbook&menu=false&hbill=SF209 HSB 219 Last week I served on a hotly contested subcommittee meeting for HSB 219. The study bill is an extreme act that allows individuals to carry concealed weapons without a permit or any training. Law enforcement and the NRA have declared that they are opposed to the passing of this bill. I feel the bill is irresponsible and will result in many unneeded issues for our police officers and sheriffs, so I plan to block the bill in the Ways and Means Committee. The Republican leadership cannot even agree on this issue, as witnessed by their conversation in "the well" of the House. Follow the discussion on the following link: http://www. youtube. com/watch?v=g 5kNySOp-d M Read More from the Iowa House To read the rest of the Statehouse News go to: http://iowahouse.orq/StatehouseNews/3-10- 11. html Unsubscribe me from this list Having trouble viewing this? Click here: http~//interspire iowahdc info/display php~M=117055&C=Odf101088f3d59ff882f4380c020a5a2&S=634&L=36&N=392 Pcmeeed by ~nt~rspire IP9 Marian Karr From: Congressman Dave Loebsack <Rep.Loebsack@mail.house.gov> Sent: Monday, March 14, 2011 10:29 AM To; Council Subject: Loebsack Urges Long Term Surface Transportation Reauthorization ~~~~ o~ je 'r~i~~b ta~t~e~ ~ft~e of c~ertt~ die ~aeb~ac~ ~j[ttrrt- ~~ 20a1~-1542 March 14, 2011 Dear Iowa, On March 2, 2011 the House of Representatives passed the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2011. I wanted to take this opportunity to reaffirm my commitment to reauthorizing our nation's surface transportation laws. I have continually urged passage of a multiyear, long-term, surface transportation bill. As you may know, the most recent transportation bill (SAFETEA-LU) authorization expired back in September 2009. These programs have been extended seven times through temporary extensions since then. This most recent extension passed the House of Representatives on March 2, 2011 and was signed into law on March 4, 2011 (P.L. 112-5). I supported this legislation, as it ensures that the U.S. Department of Transportation can continue working with states and local governments to make improvements and perform maintenance on our transportation infrastructure and keep thousands of hardworking crews on the job through September 30, 2011. This short-term extension will provide important certainty for the rest of the fiscal year, but we must not•lose sight of creating alonger-term vision and 21St century goals for our transportation system by passing a multiyear surface transportation bill. While there will certainly be difficult choices that need to be made in regard to financing the Highway Trust Fund, we must start these debates sooner rather than later to understand how to provide for a transportation system that ensures our continued economic growth and global leadership. Improved transportation policies will not only help provide employment in many sectors of our economy but will also help ensure the efficient functioning of commerce and improved safety for travelers, as well as increased livability and transportation options for our communities. I commend Congressman John Mica (R-FL), Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for holding field hearings around the country to gain insight and recommendations from individuals like you on the need to pass alonger-term surface transportation reauthorization. These hearings will build off of the blueprint for reauthorization that was created during the 111"' Congress. Please know that I will continue to advocate for along-term extension before September 30, 2011 and will collaborate with all Members of Congress on these important issues. I also hope to hear from you on your thoughts on reauthorization. Should you have any questions or comments that you would like to raise on this issue or any issue of importance to you, please do not hesitate to contact my office by phone at (202) 225-6576 or through my website here. Sincerely, Dave Loebsack Iowa's Second District Cedar Rapids District Office Iowa City District Office Washington D.C. Office 150 1st Avenue, NE 125 South Dubuque Street 1221 Longworth HOB Suite 375 Iowa City, IA 52240 Washington, D.C. 20515 Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 Phone: 319.351.0789 Phone: 202.225.6576 Phone: 319.364.2288 Fax: 319.351.5789 Fax: 202.226.0757 Fax: 319.364.2994 In the 2nd district contact Dave toll free at 866-914-IOWA IP10 ~ •~v EC I C: G~~~~'~"~' Your input sought at economic development summit ECICOG and the Corridor Business Alliance warrt to know what }'ou think the future holds for the region: Where should we be headed, and what do we need to get there'? The Regional Economic Development Summit will be held on Thursday, April 7, at The Hotel at Kirkwood Center. Kirkwood Communit}- College in Cedar Rapids. Attendees will have plent}' of opportunit,- to share their thoughts on issues such as transportation and workforce development and their relationship to our growth as a region. Input gathered at the summit will be used in the formation of a regional comprehensive development plan. The half-da}- event will begin ~yith a ke~mote address by Dr. Robert D. Atkinson, founder and president of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, a Washington, DC-based technology policy think tank. Atkinson has an extensive background in technology police, he has conducted ground-breaking research projects on technology and innovation. is a valued adviser to state and national policy makers, and has appeared in various media outlets including CNN, Fox News. MSNBC, NPR and NBC Nighth• Nuys. There is no cost to attend, but pre-registration is appreciated, and can be completed at: ~~~~~w.ecicog.org/attend. The formal program begins at 8:(x1 a.m., and a full summit agenda is available at ~~~~w.ecicog.org/agenda. T/te Regiottnl Economic Ih>velopment Stuuntit is s~xmsorecl h), I:ir~irood Conunanih~ College end receives stt~~rt frotu the Econa~ric Ue-~elopnrc>nt.-ldntinistrntion rntd the Imrn Deyarhuent c~J'Trrnrs/x>rtnlion. r.======--==-====-===--======-=====-sc~ ;; Regional clerks workshop G ~:1~~~~~'fa~~~-~~:1~1~\~". ;; Thursday, March 17, Za11 I~ „ E v „ Hiawatha Community Center/City Hall ECITransit an invaluable resource for families of ;; Hiawatha, Iowa re-school children " p ~~ .See pale hrc~ for details. For the past ten years, ECITransit has been offering rides to Iowa ~___________________________~__________ County pre-school children in the Marengo and Williamsburg area. This - serviee has been extremely well received by parents. daycare providers and grandparents who would otherwise need to alter time in their schedules to transport these kids to and from five different preschools. Rides are scheduled between the children's guardians and Iowa Counfi- Transportation, and the service is available five days per week during normal operating hours. In the 2009-2010 school year pearl}- 9,000 rides were given to these children. The majority of trips were in-town (75%), awhile the service also offers rides up to 20 miles out of town and has arranged for field trips. There are Heady 75 children who regularly use this ser<°ice, while numerous others schedule rides infrequently. The convenient aspect ofpre-school families utilizing this public transit service is the flexibilitw in arranging and onh~ paying for rides that are needed. Iowa Count}' Transportation is one of the six entities .~s these youngsters shu-+: riding ECITransit ca+ be a jnn part ojtke pre-scboot experience. ECI~~ tegional clerks workshop 'its- clerks in and near the ECICOG region are encouraged to attend a Workshop on Thursday, March 17, at the Colmnunity Center in Hiawatha. .genda topics include ne~y gun laws, grant ~yriting, commercial real estate ~i roll-back legislation, TIF, and more. Attendees at the day-long event will ~ceiye seven hours toward their Clerk or Fniance certification. Registration egiiis at 8:30 a.m. The cost to attend is $12, and lunch is provided. Pre-registration is ppreciated, and can be accomplished on line at: w~~~y.ecico~.orQ/clerks. This ~~°orlcshop is an IMFOA prefel7ed provider. Bart Knox began his duties in Februai-~- as the Io~ya Waste Eichange (IWE) resource specialist for the ECICOG region. Iinoz is a graduate of the Urb~ui and Regional Planning Program at the University- of Iowa. The IWE is a free, confidential program that actively promotes the reuse and recycling of Io~ya business and industl-~r March 17 Regional Clerks Workshop, Hiawatha Commuluty Center/City Hall, 101 Emmons Street, Hiawatha, 8:30 a.m. ECICOG Business Assistance RLF Loan Review Colmnittee, ECICOG offices, 700 16ri' Street NE, Cedar Rapids, 2:00 p.m. March 2.4 Housing Fund for Llllll Counts- Board of Directors Meeting, ECICOG offices, 700 16ri' Street NE, Cedar Rapids, 5:15 p.m. March 31 ECICOG Board of Directors Meeting, ECICOG offices, 700 16ri' Street NE, Cedar Rapids, 1:00 p.m. April 7 Regioll~~l Economic Development Smnlnit, The Hotel at Kirli~vood Center, 7725 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids, 7:30 am. (registration) April 13 Region 10 RPA Transpoltation TAC, Joluison County Secondalti• Roads, 4810 Melrose Avenue, Iowa City, 1:00 p.m. April 1.4 ECICOG Solid Waste TAC, location TBA, 1:00 p.m. April 20 ECICOG Business Assistance RLF Loan Review Conmuttee, ECICOG offices, 700 16ti' Street NE, Cedar Rapids, 2:00 p.m. April 28 ECICOG Board of Directors Meeting, ECICOG offices, 700 16ti' Street NE, Cedar Rapids, 1:00 p.m. Region 10 RPA Policy° Board Meeting, ECICOG offices. 700 16ri' Street NE, Cedar Rapids, 2:00 p.m. ECICOG was established m 1973 to promote regional cooper pion and provide piotessronal planning services to local govermnents m Benton. Iota-a, Jolnison. Tones, Lnln and Washington Counties. ECICOG also provides solid waste plammig services to Tama County and transportation plazuung services to Cedes Count<~. llerrrhers of the ECICOG Board orDireetors: bent Ackerson Lilida L~uigston Lu Barron Ad~mi Mangold Leo Cook (Chair) Vicli Pope Sandra Cronbaugh David Plvman Bill Daily Ed Raber Darrel Uage Ben Rogers Tom Uill Sally Shrtsman Don Uraa Kathleen VanSteei~liuvse Kevin Heitshusen David Vermedalil Rick Jedlicka Jones Count- vactmcv . Alan Johnson ECICOG .Staff El Doug Elliott, Execzztire Director 122 Gina Peters,3dzzzinish~atzve assistant 120 Robyn JaeoUson, Contracts_~clnzinista°ator 134 Marv Rump, Trans~ortatioaz Director 128 Hilary Copeland, AICP, GIS Seavices 125 Brock Grenis, Tzrznszt_4dministrator%Planner 137 Chad Sands. AICP, Comm. Development Directo r 127 Gar~s~ Hughes, Corona. Developrzzeaat 129 Adatn Ralston, Coanan. Dc ve7opment 133 Rob Arnold, Hozzsing Sez~>ices 124 Tracy Dehoter, Eeorzoanie Development 130 Jemiifer Rvan Fencl. Environmental Ser~~ices Dir- 131 Krlstm Sll11or1. SOIiLT TYaste P~am?In~ 126 Bart Iulos Ioir~a TT~"rite Exchange 121 Diana Stmmer.DisasterRecrn~erv 123 Melanie Riley, Disaster Recrn~eza_ ~ 138 JJ Breen. Disaster Recovery 139 East Cenhal Iowa Council of Govenmlents 700 16th Sheet NE. Suite 301 Cedar Kapids. Iowa 52402 (319)365-9941 Fay: (319) 363-9981 e-mail: ecicog~h?ecicog.org \l113.eC1COg.Org ECIC: G EAST CENTRAL IOWA COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS YOUR REGIONAL PLANNING AGENCY Empress i5 a bimonthly- electronic publication of the East Central Iowa Council of Governments. IP11 Grant Wood Ne/i~ghb}oryh~ood A~sl/C~~`~I I Newsletter•March 2011 nei hbors R1Sa Dotson EiCke g Neighbors are first-person introductions to people involved in the Grant Wood Neigh- borhood. Would you like to introduce yourself ?Contact newsletter editor Nick Bergus at nbergusC~gmail.com. My husband, Chant, and I moved into our Gleason Avenue home in zoos. Over the winter of zoo8 and zoo9, we decided that we had the perfect spot in our back yard for a rain garden. Our nextdoor neighbor, Sue Campney, also liked the idea, and we decided to tear part of the fence down between our yards and create a rain garden on both properties. After spending a lot of tithe planning and calculating, we figured that if we diverted rain from three-quarters of each of our roofs, it would supply enough water for azoo-square-foot garden. Part of the project's cost was reimbursed by the City of Iowa City's stormwater quality best management practice pro- gram. After removing overgrown lilac bushes and conifer trees, we dug out the rain garden area with a rented skid loader, and we rented a trencher to cut a 4-inch trench diagonally through each of our backyards and between the two houses (to go between the downspouts and the garden). The water flows off of our roofs, through buried pipe, into the garden. Many of the kids in the neighborhood were curious about what we were do- ing, and they came over to help us with the digging and removing of old roots and even hauling bricks and rocks for us. That's when we realized how much of a community project it really was! In order to maximize water-holding capacity, we built a retaining wall along the back of the rain garden. We planted native seeds and plant plugs in the garden and in the spring of zoio we were blessed with a lot of rain, which es- tablished the plants faster than we expected. There wasn't even much weeding to do. We, along with birds, butterflies, dragonflies and bees, have enjoyed the colorful flowers throughout zoio. In zoo9 and zoio, more than ioo,ooo gallons of water have been diverted from polluting our creeks and river by going straight to the plants in our rain garden! To view photos, the construction, and more information, please visit our website at www.laughsing.tom/raingarden/zoro.htm. Between Newsletters For information and announcement between issues of the almost-monthly newsletter, visit our website at grantwoodneighborhood.org. If you want to be added to the GWNA news e-mail list, send your name and e-mail address to Cindy Roberts, cindy- roberts@uiowa.edu. Grant Wood Neighborhood Association GruntWoodNeighbarhood.org Co-Chairs Cindy Roberts cindy-robertsC~uiowa.edu open position Secretary open position '1Yeasurer open position Event Coordinators open positions Newsletter Editor Nick Bergus nbergus@gmail.com Website Editor Diana Lei-Butters chi-lei@uiowa.edu Community Garden Coordinator Alicia Trimble alit iamtrimbleC~yahoo.com Communication Coordinator Cindy Roberts cirtdy-roberts@ui owa.edu Iowa City Neighborhood Services Coordinator Marcia Bollinger marcia-bollingerC~iowa-city.org Thanks to Shelly Jaspers and Li-Hsieh Lin for helping us label and mail the newsletter. Care to fill an opening? Contact Cindy Roberts at cindy-roberts@uiowa.edu. Mission The GWNA exists to improve the overall quality of life in the Grant Wood neighborhood. The association achieves its mission by building relationships by bring its families together through social events as well as educational opportunities, enhancing safety and security, making improvements, and using our public parks and facilities to promote volunteer activism. No March Meeting There is no Grant Wood Neighborhood Associa- tion meeting scheduled for March. 3rd Annual Safety Day Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 30, for the 3rd Annual Grant Wood Safety Day. More details will be provided in upcoming newsletters. Open Gym at Wood Grant Wood Elementary gym is now open and free on Monday and Wednesday nights from 6 to 9 p.m. for open gym. Anyone younger than 6th grade must be accompanied by an adult. Everyone is welcome! Grant Wood Market Place Pilot SeginS The popularity and success of the Iowa City's Farmers' Market has city offi- cials exploring ayear-round program. To gauge interest, three special off-season markets, called the Grant Wood Market Place, are scheduled in March and April. On Saturdays March a6, April g and z3, the markets will be from z to 5 p.m. at the Grant Wood Elementary Gym. If vendors and market-goers show enough interest, the market maybe expanded to a year-round or winter market. Vendors from Iowa City's regular farmers' markets have been invited to par- ticipate in the Grant Wood Market Place and many have registered. There's still time for more vendors, including local craftsmen, artists, and bakers, to sign up. Vendors do not have to be a regular participant of the Iowa City Farmers' Mar- ket to register for the Grant Wood Marketplace. All products offered for sale must be home-grown, homemade, or home- crafted. Some of the items that will be available include homemade pies and baked goods, jams and jellies, eggs, apple cider and Amish-made glazed donuts, Acoustic Farms artisan cheese, granola, nuts and trail mixes, Rehberg's pork, soup mixes, chocolate truffles, plants, ZaZa's pastas, jewelry, artwork, herbs, pot- tery, yarn, and knitted hats. And the list is expected to grow. For information, or to register as a vendor, contact Marcia at 356.Sa37 or marcia-bollingerC Iowa-city.org. •sraac ,~aaayaa~ Luc ~~oo~ ~uc.irJ aya ui s~ua~~isa_i ~jc oa ~uas uaac~ sc~~ _iaaaa~s.~~au si~~1 •saui~apinrJ aaaaa~sn~aN poo~~_ioc~y~laN ~~anoadde ay, aaauiasmu saaaaa~sn~au y~'no~a~c `~uaauo~ aya an ~(ai~cnb a~~a ao{ a~gisuo~lsa_i aou si anq aaaaa~s:~~au a~~a sjleuz pue s~ulzd ~~1~ emo13o ~~1~ au~3o sa~l~za5 poouzoqu~la~3o a~tg0 aus •uouel~osse poouzoqu~lau zno~i ~q pa~npozd s1 za~~ajsmau poouzoqu~lau zno~ ccr ~o~ ~~tu ia~ ernol `~~i~ ernol QId'd ape~so~ Sf1 p.itipue~5 pa~.~osa.i~ Friday Night Roller Skating Looking for some free, fun, family entertainment? Try roller skating at Grant Wood Elementary Gym! The first hour of skating, from ~ to 8 p.m. is for families and slower skating, with the second hour from 8 to 9 p.m. reserved for more experienced, speedy skaters. Skating is free, but a dollar or an ID is required as deposit to borrow a pair of the new skates. We have skates available in sizes for young children through adults, but no one under io years old will be admitted without a parent or responsible ad a 1t. O~ZZS ~Jl t~~i~ ~MOI anua~y ~tuao~tle~ I~zz uo1~el~ossy poo~aogtlpta~ pooh ~uea~ IP12 Marian Karr From: Roberts, Cindy <cindy-roberts@uiowa.edu> Sent: Sunday, March 13, 2011 10:35 AM To: Council Cc: Marcia Bollinger Subject: Upcoming Grant Wood Market events -FYI Dear Mayor Hayek and City Council members, I wanted to extend an invitation to all of you to stop by one of the upcoming Grant Wood Market events scheduled for March and April-see specifics below. This is exciting news for the Grant Wood and Wetherby Neighborhoods-as well as the larger community. These events are happening thanks to the efforts of Marcia Bollinger and City staff. We're hoping the Grant Wood ~~test" Market will develop into another regular event at the Grant Wood Elementary & Community gym. Cindy Roberts Grant Wood Neighborhood Association Upcoming Grant Wood Market Place Events Will Gauge Community Interest in Year-round Farmers' Markets The overwhelming popularity and success of the Iowa City's Farmers' Market has City officials exploring the idea of a year-round program -and as a sort of "test market" to gauge the level of interest that exists, three special off-season markets called "Grant Wood Market Place" have been scheduled in March and April. The three events will be held on Saturdays, on March 26, Apri19, and Apri123 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Grant Wood Elementary School gym at 1930 Lakeside Drive in Iowa City. If enough interest is shown by vendors and market-goers, the Grant Wood Market Place may be expanded to a year-round or winter market. Vendors from Iowa City's spring and summer Farmers' Markets have been invited to participate in each of the Grant Wood Market Place events. Many have already registered, but there is still time for additional vendors, including local craftsmen, artists, bakers, and others, to sign up. Vendors do not have to be a regular participant of the Iowa City Farmers' Market to register for the Grant Wood Market Place. All products offered for sale must be home-grown, homemade, and/or home-crafted. Some of the items that will be available include homemade pies and other baked goods, jams and jellies, fresh eggs, apple cider donuts, fresh Amish made glazed donuts, Acoustic Farms artisan cheese, granola, nuts and trail mixes, Rehberg's pork, soup mixes, chocolate truffles, plants, ZaZa's pastas, jewelry and accessories, artwork, herbal products and herb plants, stoneware pottery, homespun yarn, and knitted hats. The list of products is expected to grow as more vendors register. For more information, or to register as a vendor, contact Neighborhood Services Coordinator Marcia Bollinger at 319.356.5237 or e-mail marcia-bollin er ,iowa-city.orQ. The special markets are being coordinated by the City of Iowa City Neighborhood Services Division and the Grant Wood Neighborhood Association. IP13 Marian Karr From: Dianne DAY <daywear@msn.com> Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 10:21 AM To: Council Subject: Sr. Center Save the Date Attachments: SAVE THE DATE.doc Could the above document be placed in the councilors packet? Thank you. questions? Please let me know. Dianne Day SAVE THE DATE The Iowa City Johnson County Senior Center Annual Spring Forum GETTING CONNECTED, GETTING INVOLVED Thursday April 14, 2011 Afternoon session 2:00 Evening session 6:30 In the Assembly Room Annual Forum Agenda Accomplishments since the self assessment Working Committee goals Election of Steering Council executive officers Questions and Answers session The Senior Center Steering Council would like to extend to you a special invitation to attend one of the sessions of the annual Public Forum. The goal of this forum is to see how the Senior Center is progressing in its effort to become accredited by The National Institute of Senior Centers. We will be discussing the 5 year goals established in 2010. The staff, member leadership, and senior center commission have worked diligently to address the needs and concerns of seniors. We hope that you can find time to attend this event and become more informed about the Senior Center and how it serves our community. If you have any questions, please contact me, Dianne Day, at 337-2831 or email at daywear~a msn.com. Hope to see you there. Dianne Day, acting chair of the Senior Center Steering Council IP14 PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION PRELIMINARY MARCH 3, 2011 - 7:00 PM -FORMAL CITY HALL, EMMA HARVAT HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Ann Freerks, Josh Busard, Charlie Eastham, Elizabeth Koppes, Michelle Payne, Wally Plahutnik, Tim Weitzel MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Bob Miklo, Karen Howard, Tabatha Ries-Miller, Sara Greenwood Hektoen OTHERS PRESENT: Tom Gelman RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY COUNCIL: The Commission voted 7-0 to recommend approval of an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan to adopt the Southeast District Plan for property generally located south of Court Street, east of Sycamore Street and First Avenue, north of Highway 6 and west of the city's eastern growth boundary. The Commission voted 7-0 to recommend approval of SU611-00001/SUB11-00002, an application submitted by Eye Physicians and Surgeons for a preliminary and final plat of EPS First Addition, a 1-lot, .78 acre commercial subdivision located at 2615 Northgate Drive. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA: None. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ITEM: Public hearing to amend the Comprehensive Plan to the Southeast District Plan for property generally located south of Court Street, east of Sycamore Street & First Avenue, north of Highway 6, and west of the city's eastern growth boundary. Howard distributed a memo detailing proposed changes to the plan based on comments made by the public and the Commission. Howard noted that the language in the plan that deals with Planning and Zoning Commission March 3, 2011 -Formal Page 2 of 5 open spaces in Village Green had been clarified. Howard pointed out proposed alternative language outlined in the memo which she hopes will make it more clear that the open spaces are privately owned. Howard said that staff would also like to replace the term "pocket parks" with "small neighborhood parks" in order to broaden the perception of that particular kind of open space. Staff also tried to incorporate some of the principles and language of the code requirements for open space in new developments into this district plan, such as the idea that neighborhoods should be walking distance from some kind of public gathering space. Eastham asked if staff had intended to remove the term "pocket parks" from the document entirely, and Howard replied that they did not. They simply wanted to change the title of that section to "Small Neighborhood Parks." Howard said that there had been a slight error on the open space map in the Scott Park area which has since been corrected. Eastham asked that the term "mobile home" be replaced with "manufactured housing" throughout, and Howard said that had been done. Freerks opened the public hearing. No one wished to comment, and the public hearing was closed. Payne moved to amend the Comprehensive Plan to adopt the Southeast District Plan for property generally located south of Court Street, east of Sycamore Street & First Avenue, north of Highway 6, and west of the city's eastern growth boundary. Plahutnik seconded. Freerks invited discussion. Eastham noted that there had been awide-ranging discussion about this plan. He said that in his view the plan is both comprehensive and well thought out. The inclusion of areas for industrial development has been clearly identified as a community need, as has the buffering of those industrial areas with green space from potential residential areas. He said that there is also a lot of attention paid to commercial areas along First Avenue and Kirkwood. Eastham said that the eastern growth boundary for this plan has turned out to be satisfying both to the extensive manufactured housing area east of Scott and to the redevelopment of the area east of that as future residential uses. Eastham said that he feels the plan both preserves manufactured housing as a modestly priced housing option and plans for the future. Plahutnik thanked staff for going through the very thorough process involved in creating such a well-thought out document. Freerks said that there had been a great deal of community involvement in creating this plan and she intends to support it. A vote was taken and the motion carried 7-0. Freerks asked if anyone who has come and signed into a meeting would be notified that this issue is moving forward to the City Council. Miklo said that typically that is not the case; however, we will seek press coverage for the public hearing. Planning and Zoning Commission March 3, 2011 -Formal Page 3 of 5 DEVELOPMENT ITEMS: SUB10-00014/SUB10-00015: Discussion of an application submitted by Craig Haesemeyer for a preliminary and final plat of Mackinaw Village Part 3, a 13-lot, 7.89 acre residential subdivision located north of Foster Road on Mission Point Road and Algonquin Road. Eastham stated that he would not be participating in the discussions for this application because he is a board member of anon-profit that has apurchase-agreement to purchase nearby or adjacent property. Miklo said that the applicant is considering some minor changes to the plan and would like to defer to the March 17th meeting. Weitzel moved to defer the item until the March 17th meeting. Payne seconded. A vote was taken and the motion carried 6-0 (Eastham abstaining). SUB11-00001/SUB11-00002: Discussion of an application submitted by Eye Physicians and Surgeons for a preliminary plat of EPS First Addition, a 1-lot, .78 acre commercial subdivision located at 2615 Northgate Drive. Miklo introduced Tabatha Ries-Miller, a graduate student in Urban Planning who is interning in the Planning Department. Ries-Miller explained that the property was subdivided in 1984. Sometime after that, a portion of Lot 19 was added to Lot 20 to serve as parking for the existing medical office on Lot 20. The applicant is now proposing to subdivide the area to create new lot that will be referred to as Lot 1. The subdivision does not include any proposed streets. The lot has two access points, one on Lot 19, and one on Lot 20, and no new access points will be created. There would, however, be across-access easement established for access to Lot 1. Because Lot 1 currently serves as parking for the medical facility consideration will have to be made as to whether or not there is adequate parking on-site to serve both Lots 19 and 20 if Lot 1 is developed in the future. Ries-Miller noted that all of the discrepancies and insufficiencies indicated in the staff report have been remedied and staff is recommending approval of the application. Miklo noted that the recommendation for approval is subject to the City Attorney's Office approving the legal papers. Payne asked if the applicant intended to correct the directional arrow on the plat for the power- line easement and Miklo said that they had done so. Freerks opened the public hearing. Tom Gelman, 714 McLean Street, appeared on behalf of the owners and offered to answer any questions the Commission might have. Weitzel moved to approve SUB11-00001/SUB11-00002, an application submitted by Eye Physicians and Surgeons for a preliminary plat of EPS First Addition, a 1-lot, .78 acre commercial subdivision located at 2615 Northgate Drive subject to approval of the legal papers. Planning and Zoning Commission March 3, 2011 -Formal Page 4 of 5 Payne seconded. A vote was taken and the motion carried 7-0. CONSIDERATION OF MEETING MINUTES: February 17, 2011: Busard noted an error in the vote counts. Plahutnik moved to approve the minutes as amended. Payne seconded. The motion carried 7-0. OTHER: Greenwood Hektoen noted that the Commission by-laws require the election of officers at the first meeting in February or soon after. Payne noted that both she and Koppes would be gone the week of spring break. Weitzel moved to elect Freerks as Chair, Koppes as Vice-Chair, and Plahutnik as Secretary. Payne seconded. A vote was taken and the motion carried 7-0. Miklo noted that now that the Southeast District Plan was complete, staff will be focusing on updating the general Comprehensive Plan with a focus on downtown. He said that they will likely be bringing the Riverfront Crossings district before the Commission to be considered as an element of the Comprehensive Plan. Plahutnik stated that some zoning had been rushed into for the Heironymous Project, and he did not feel like it had been very carefully considered. He asked that staff carefully consider that area as they looked at the Riverfront Crossings district. Freerks asked for an update to be given at some point about what is going on in that section of Burlington Street, since the University had acquired some property there. Miklo said that Heironymous Square may come back before the Commission since it is likely that changes will be made to the plan that had been approved under a conditional zoning agreement. 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