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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-06-11 Correspondence Greater Iowa City Housing Fellowship opening the doors of Iowa City 1700 South First Avenue Suite 25B Iowa City, IA 52240 (319) 358-9212 May 31, 2002 Mayor Ernie Lehman Civic Center Civic Center 410 East Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear Mayor Lehman: I have enclosed a check in the amount of $2,916. Greater Iowa City Housing Fellowship voluntarily makes a payment in lieu of property taxes. This check is for the year 2001 and represents 25% of our property tax liability. Greater Iowa City Housing Fellowship very much appreciates the support that we receive from the City. Sincerely, Maryann Dennis Executive Director Marian Karr From: Jeff Davidson Sent: Friday, May 31, 2002 10:46 AM To: 'stewart/actinc@act. org' Cc: *City Council; Steve Atkins; *City Clerk's Office; Rick Fosse; Karin Franklin; Beth Pfohl Subject: FW: Scott and Hwy. 6 Hello Jane. Your email to the City Council was forwarded to me for response. I agree with you that it would be helpful to have some geometric improvements to the Scott Blvd / US 6 intersection. Separate turn lanes as well as modified roadway geometry to better accomodate the large trucks would make this intersection work better. Unfortunately, the typical source of funding for the state highway system, the Iowa Dept of Transportation, is having well-documented financial difficulties. The City would be the next soume of funding, and so far this intersection has not been a high priority for the City Council when they have discussed the limited amount of funding available for capital improvement projects. By sending your correspondence to them you will at least apprise them of your concerns. We have conducted a traffic signal warrant study at this intersection, and at the present time installation of a traffic signal is not warranted. Since this is a developing area, I would not be surprised if a signal warrant was met within 5 years; we will continue to monitor the intersection. The signal warrant analysis includes examination of the collision history at the intersection. Fortunately this intersection has a lower than average collision rate. The most common type of collision at this intersection is rear end collisions, and this type of collision is not "correctable" by installing a traffic signal. In fact, roar end collisions typically increase when a traffic signal is installed. A traffic signal will also not help the situation with large truck turning movements; this will requiro reconstructing the pavement at the intersection. Thank you for your correspondence. .... Original Message ..... From: Steve Atkins Sent: Thursday, May 30, 2002 1:41 PM To: Jeff Davidson Subject: FW: Scott and Hwy. 6 ---Original Message ..... From: StewartJACTInc@act.org [mailto:Stewart/ACTInc@act.org] Sent: Thursday, May 30, 2002 1:27 PM To: ernie_lehman@iowa-city.org; irvin_pfab@iowa-city.org; mike_odonnelI@iowa-city.org; connie_champion@iowa-city.org; ross_wilburn@iowa-city.org; dee_vanderfoef@iowa-city.crg; stephen_atkins@iowa-city.org Subject: Scott and Hwy. 6 Iowa City Council Members: I live in Iowa City (on Friendship St.) and I work at the ACT McCarrel building at the corner of Scott Blvd. and Hwy. 6. I just witnessed yet another injury accident at this poorly constructed intersection. It is the second I've seen in three weeks atthough I suspect that there have been more. How many accidents/injuries/deaths will it take before we can at least get a traffic light at this dangerous intersection? Semi's have to swing into the oncoming traffic lane in order to turn right onto Hwy. 6 from Scott. Turning left often takes several minutes because they have to wait for traffic to clear sufficiently. Meanwhile, the cars behind the semis can't go anywhere. Vehicles on Scott waiting to turn onto Hwy 6 often need to back up in order to allow semis to turn off of Hwy 6 onto Scott. We need, at a minimum, a traffic light and a right turn lane on the west side of Scott. When Scott Blvd. is extended to Hwy 1 and as Scott Six Industrial Park expands and a grocery store is added, the need will be even more extreme. Ptease consider widening Scott and/or HWY6 at this intersection to reduce the number of accidents. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Jane Stewart Marian Karr From: Lisa Mollenhauer. Sent: Monday, May 20, 2002 10:41 AM To: '*HaaJar *' Cc: *City Council Subject: RE: Land in Iowa? HaaJar: The City of Iowa City is not giving away free land. Best of luck with your search. Lisa Lisa Mollenhauer Administrative Assistant to the City Manager (319) 356-5010 ..... Original Message ..... From: *HaaJar * [mailto:haajar24@hotmail.com] Sent: Monday, May 20, 2002 9:20 AM To: cou ncil@iowa-city.org Subject: Land in Iowa? To whom it may concern, I recently watched a news report which stated that the mayor of Iowa was giving away free land. The precise city was not stated, nor the Mayors name. I am writing to you in the hopes that you have some knowledge on this claim. I am interested in owning some of this land (located near a flood area) so that I may build a home of my own. Thanks in advance for your time and consideration. HaaJar Johnson Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com Marian Karr From: Mamus D [mystiktempest~hotmail.com] Sent: Sunday, May 19, 2002 1~1:31 PM To: cou ncil@iowa-cJty.org Subject: Clubs or Drugs? Take your pick!! ! !WARNING!! You're city is slowly becoming Cedar Rapids!! My youth unfriendly city is spreading. There is nothing to do in CR so I often journey to Iowa City. I used to love going to IC, but now I'm not sure. The problem is this: the only club accessible to teens is Gabe's. I really don't like it there and there's nowhere else for that a teenager can really go. I was so happy when I saw in a paper that The Alley Cat had lowered the age restriction to 18 because I was soon to turn 18. I commuted to lC last night, (5/18) and suprise suprise, I found out that all the clubs except Gabe's are back to 19. I know that IC has had and is still having problems with under age and binge drinking, but come on. What are young adults supposed to do? I remember that since I couldn't go dancing anywhere, but Gabe's (where I hate going because it's so clich~d6d), I used to do drugs; lots ef them, but now I'm sober. I full heartedly believe that by not allowing young adults, that are mature enough, into clubs we are being encouraged to abuse drugs. By the way, is an 18 year old actually considered an adult because it sure doesn't feel like it? I can be charged as an adult and I can be drafted, but I can't go enjoy a night on the town. It seems to me that there's a BIG wee bit of a contradiction there. I could also complain about the drinking age too, but my issue here has nothing to do with the drinking age. I could care less. I would love to see most clubs allow 16+ year olds into their establishments and parents could then judge if THEIR teen(s) is mentally old enough to go to a club. Notice I say club and not bar. Bars are for drinking at and clubs are for dancing at. Also clubs need to be more meticulous about checking a person's age when they order a drink and they should only be allowed to purchase one drink at a time. Some teens are hell-bent on drinking at a club and that ruins it for everyone, but if clubs are more careful and watched more closely teens will not be able to get alcohol and the teens that can't have fun dancing without drinking would be weeded out. If we were more like Europe the problem wouldn't be so big. I'm not a socialist, but they've been around longer and from my experiences there the problem is not so pronounced. (I could write a 10+ page theme comparing and contrasting Europe and us so if you desire more information on European ways email me back or study it on your own.) Most teenage behavieur is all about violating a more or a law and doing something taboo. If you don't know what I'm talking about then you missed being a teenager. It really, really frustrates me when I have nowhere to go to have fun. believe that as an adult I should be treated with more respect than what I receive. I get all the responsibilities of an adult and not all the privileges. I'm being totally marginalized, and it feels like fingers are being pointed at me, eyes glued to my every move, and bound from enjoying what adulthood has to offer because young adults, like myself, are way too young and dumb to know how to behave and what's best for them. *Yes, that is me being sarcastic.* It has often felt like society has been conspiring against my generation because every time we're about to achieve a certain status the rules have changed. For example: I was about to finally get my full license and then I could only get an intermediate license or now that I'm an adult I'm not treated as such. Yet another example: When I was younger and into drugs and heavy drinking (because there was and still is virtually nothing for youth to do ever) I made a mistake and lost my license (It was an OWI and I was both drunk and strung-out, but I was not at a club at any time that night.) and every time I was supposed to get it back there 1 was always some reason that I had to wait a week or another day. Everybody makes mistakes and we learn from them {and I definitely have). It's inevitable that some people are going to do things their not supposed to, but that's their own problem because when they get caught they pay the price and that's income for society--especially if they have to go through rehab because that's really expensive. I have often heard that when I was to become an adult the world would open up to me, but it hasn't. *And everyone wonders why I'm so negative.* It pretty much goes without saying that when you've been promised something all your life and then it's not given you're not happy. I feel like the rug has been pulled out from underneath my feet and I~m back to playing in the sand box. I'm not sure what all the legal regulations are for clubs in IC, but I'd like to see them allow at least 18+ in. It's just not right to make us take baby steps when we're ready to grow in leaps and bounds. This is a cause worth fighting for because it affects so many young adults even though I am moving far far away this summer, and the city I'm moving to, Seattle, WA, has a TDO (Teen Dance Ordinance). That means no one under 21 allowed in, and look at the drug and alcohol problems there. Also, all the teenagers that are lost with no meaning in their lives. When IC gets bigger do you want those problems? I'm really going to be in Hell there, but first on my agenda, after moving in, is fighting the TDO. I know that allowing young adults and adults like myself into clubs will curb problems like underage drinking, drug abuse, and suicide. It would make us feel like we belong and stop making us feel like we're unimportant. It's very depressing to be treated like you have NO place in society. Being gay and not being "old" enough to get into clubs I know all about what that feels like. It's like a big sign that says, "SOCIETY HAS NO USE FOR YOU. YOU MIGHT AS WELL NOT EXIST." I have felt that ostracism since about sixth grade. So for about half of my life I've felt like a second-class citizen. In recent years I've had to deal with severe depression, most likely due to that feeling and that lead me to drugs also. Now, I've come out of that quite a bit and although I'm super-intelligent and placed fifth in the state French test, I still feel suppressed from attaining my full potential. Another thing is that since teenagers are not one group, but many sub-groups one club will NOT suffice. I despise house music and that's all the DJs at Gabe's play. I like the dark and spiritual music of techno industrial. People at industrial clubs are generally nicer, more accepting, more intelligent/wise, and less likely to be using drugs than the "raver" types at a house club. No one has ever asked me if I could get him or her drugs at an industrial club, but it's a rare night at any house club if I'm not asked if I know where to get LSD or MDMA. The lesson to be learned here is that loose societies have fewer problems and the more strict a society gets the more hard-core the line is between the main culture and the anti or sub culture. That's why our drag queens are so much better than any other cultures and why juvenile delinquency is so high. Clubs are very beneficial to a person's physical, emotional, and mental health. Dancing is incredibly great exercise and exercise is essential in mental health because it causes chemicals that make a person feel good to release into the synapse, namely serotonin. Of course an alternate way to make that happen is to take MDMA. Which would you rather have your child do? Dance or ecstasy? Being at a club builds social ties because being around people that a person can relate to causes him/her (or vice versa) to familiarize and create friendships and find possible companions. This makes them use emotions and be human. Would you want your child to become and emotional void because some silly regulation forced him/her to be anti-social? People can be whatever they want at a club. I've gone to clubs with friends or met new people and had a blast, but I've also gone alone and stayed alone. When I choose to not directly interact with people I can let myself go and exorcize any pent-up frustration or tristness and rid myself of it. It's kind of a cathartic effect. Self-expression is key to mental health, and dancing is major self-expression for me. Once I get going I don't care what other people think. It feels like the dance floor is the universe and the people are the different masses in space playing out a celestial dance. Every body moves their own way just like bodies in space, and because it's the universe anything goes. Dancing is one of three 2 major spiritual rites for me. The other two are piercing and extreme sports. I go into my own world and nothing matters anymore. I can forget my flaws and stress and afterwards feel recharged and purged just like the children of Israel did after the Day of Atonement when their sins were transferred to a [scape]goat that they later killed. For this rite to be taken from me presents the same problem that running out of goats did for them. In closing I must say that the benefits of a variety of clubs being open to people 16+ or at least 18+ are substantially greater than the risks of underage drinking. Age is not a good indicator of a person's mental age. It should be left up to parents to decide when their teen is to be allowed to go to a club and the police to make sure that clubs don't serve to people under 21. If A club is concerned that by lowering the age restriction they'll get too many people under 21 and they won't make enough money off alcohol sales they should charge a higher cover for people under 21. I hope that by sharing some of my world and my views with you helps you get a better grasp on the torment that I and many of my peers are going through and the torment that I know others will go through after us if something does not give. I am not out to cause any malevolence, or push an agenda that teenage drinking is okay, or cause a teenage wasteland, but to help us avoid exactly all of that, and to open everyone's eyes a little bit (ok, a "lot-bit") and create a better happier tomorrow for everyone. I waited a day to send this so I could think over it more thoroughly and I've thought of a good system that would allow young adults into clubs. It would be kind of like a permit to get to leave a high school campus for lunch. First requirement: Be enrolled in high school and be 16+. Not applicable to graduates, but when school starts again they must show proof of full-time employment, or of attendance at a post-secondary school. Second: Parental permission. This would be some sort of form to sign. Not applicable to people 18+. Third: Acquire and maintain a C+ term GPA or higher. (No summer permit if grades aren't up to par.) Reasons for revocation: 1) caught drinking or smoking underage 2) caught driving after curfew 3) any use of narcotics 4) club files a complaint with merit and evidence 5) bad grades 6) parent requests revocation etc Obtaining the permit: I think the DOT would be the best spot to acquire this. It could be marked or scanned into an ID. A student would apply at a Johnson County DOT with the appropriate paper work. (Unless this could be made into a state wide permit. People from any county can obtain the permit. This part obviously has a little tweaking that needs to be done to it. Enforcement of Good Grade Policy: Whichever department was to run the program would send a list of students to every school having students participating and ask for feedback about students and whether or not their grades are up to par. The schools would then respond back via mail, phone, or email. I would like some feedback from at least one person on the council about my ideas on keeping young adults off the streets and allowing us into the 3 aforementioned types of social establishments. If need be I am willing to make an appearance at a meeting or more to present my ideas to the council. I could also bring some of my peers that feel much the same way I do. I know that we can make this work because there's always a way, and it's just been formulated. You are holding the key to a safer, more enjoyable city. Don't let this slip through the cracks. Respectfully, Marcus Denniston 4307 Roxbury Dr Nw Cedar Rapids, IA 52405 Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp. 4 806 West Side Dr. Iowa City, IA 52246 Monday, May 19, 2002 Mr. Ernie Lehman, Mayor Iowa City, City Council Civic Center Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear Mayor Lehman: The members of the Public Power Initiative for Iowa City congratulate you on your recent decision to work with the Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities. Cooperating with other interested cities in Iowa to draft a Request for Proposals (RFP) for an initial feasibility study to determine if municipal ownership of the electric utility will prove to be beneficial for lowa Citians. We are convinced that this direction will give you and all of us the information we need to make a wise decision on this issue. People who have been involved in Iowa City government for years have expressed to us that this may be the single most important and far-reaching decision facing the Council at this time. We are also confident that you will receive knowledgeable, impartial assistance from the Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities, a non-profit association of all the cities in Iowa operating one or more municipal utilities. We remain available to assist you in any way that you feel would be helpful as you proceed to work on this issue. Sincerely, Carol Spaziani and Saul Mekies Co-Chairs, Public Power Initiative of Iowa City Marian Karr From: Karen Kubby [kubby@pobox.com] Sent: Friday, May 24, 2002 2:03 PM To: council@iowa-city.org Subject: ADA Celebration May 24, 2002, Dear City Council, Thank you for the City's contribution of $1,130 towards the ADA Celebration this year. As one of the people who presented the specifics of the ADA Celebration for 2003, I thought it would be good to update you on our plans. Instead of doing a meeting at the Iowa City Public Library and a rally and art fair on the Ped Mall, we are shifting our location to Hickory Hill Park. With the collaboration between the Johnson County Coalition of People with Disabilities and the Friends of Hickory Hill on the new accessible trails, it seems like a "natural" place to celebrate. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns about this change in program. And thank you again for your financial support of this event. Karen Kubby Marian Karr ~ From: ANTHONY BRUNT [acbrunt@msn.com] Sent: Sunday, May 26, 2002 2:26 AM To: cou ncil@iowa-city.org ! don't know what is worse. Watching nineteen year ords, with underage markings, being served all night long. Or, watching you all chatter about it for the six and a half years [ have been in town. Love Iowa City. Wrote this because ! care. Regards, Anthony Brunt 5/28/02 Marian Karr From: Stephanie Schallau [steph-schallau@mchsi,com] Sent: Thursday, May 23, 2002 11:13 PM To: cou ncil@iowa-city.org I am a student at City High. I have been working on a civics project for my state and local class. My project was about underage drinking, specifically the problem in downtown Iowa City and the bars. After doing my research and finishing my project I have come to the conclusion that the bars should not allow 18 to 20 year olds in them. I am asking you to please consider passing this ordinance. Thank you for serving on city council and for all you have done for Iowa City. I understand that it is impossible to please everyone. I just wanted my voice to be heard. Thank you, Stephanie Schallau Page 1 ofl Marian Karr From: Laura Struve [laura584@hotmail.com] Sent: Thursday, May 30, 2002 7:10 PM To: council@iowa-city.or9 Subject: opinion about underage drinkin§ Dear City Council, I'm a jtmior at City High School and I'm doing a civics project for my State and Local Class. I chose to research underage drinking. I think that underage drinking is a very big problem in Iowa City and something needs to be done about it. I read an article online that said the City Council wants to pass an ordinance that only allows customers who are 21 and older into the bars. I think this is a very good idea. It is way too easy for people under 21 to get alcohol in the bars. Just about anyone in the bar will buy alcohol for them. There was also the incident where the 6 people got injured from the bar stunt and 5 out of the 6 were underage. If they weren't in there this wouldn't have happened to them, and they wouldn't have to live with this for the rest of their life. If you only let 21 year olds and people older into the bars then you wouldn't have to worry about underage drinking in the bars. Yes they will probably just throw house parties but those can always be broken up and you are never going to stop everyone form drinking in the first place. Let's just take it away from the bars. It may discourage some of the younger freshman for starting to go to the bars, and then when they become old enough they won't want to drink anyway. I hope this ordinance will get passed and that underage drinking can be reduced. I would also like to say that the only way you are going to stop this problem is if you educate at a younger age and we change societgratefuls on what is right and wrong. Thank you for your time. It would be very greatful if you could fight back in the next day or two to let me know your thoughts. Thanks again! Sincerely, Laura Strove Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer,msn,com. 5/31/02 Marian Karr From: Geoff Johnson [geoff@arthur.avalon.net] Sent: Friday, May 24, 2002 9:51 PM To: cou ncil@iowa-city.org Subject: Flawed code I just thought that I would point out a mistake in the city code which makes all lizards andsnakes prohibitted technically. In 8-4-1 under prohibitted animals it states: R. Crotalidae, Viperidae, Elapidae, Opisthoglyphous Colubridae, and all other orders which include poisonous or venomous reptiles (e.g., rattlesnakes, vipers, corals, copperheads, cottonmouths, moccasins, sea snakes, puff adders, malagasy hognoses). Instead of orders, I believe that it should say genuses (genera). Ail snakes and lizards belong to the order squamata, and thus all lizards and snakes are in an order which contains venomous reptiles. Also, colubridae should not be listed in this section at all to the best of my knowledge. Colubridae is the family which includes most non-venomous snakes, and although boomslangs are in this family (and boomslangs should be illegal) so are corn snakes, milk snakes, garter snakes, rat snakes, king snakes, grass snakes, water snakes, and about every other snake I would recommend as a pet. I would also point out that O and Q in this part also have flaws. For 0 Crocodilians do not belong to the order Squamata, they belong to the order Crocodylia. As for Q, it needs to be specified that they are of the family varanidae or of the genus varanus (all of them fit into both categories). Just listing the species without a genus or some other sort of classification is ambiguous. Sphenomorphus indicus, the copper skink, would be illegal under the current code, although I believe the intent was merely to prohibit varanus indicus, the mangrove monitor, which has sharp teeth, strong jaws, and dangerous infectious bacteria in its mouth. Geoff Johnson 2687 Concord Circle Iowa City, IA 52245 Marian Karr ~ From: David Kelly [ccbd@acninc. net] Sent: Saturday, May 25, 2002 5:35 AM To: cou ncil@iowa-city.org Subject: Health and Education The Center for Community and Business Development A comprehensive educational group 2051 Saint Raymonds Avenue Bronx, New York 10462 1 -(886) -458-3924/(718) 823-3757 May 25, 2002 Dear Mayor: It was great speaking to a representative from your office. The Center for Community and Business Development would like to establish a Preventive Health and Education Curriculum for your City. The curriculum would be dispensed from your local offices, as a tool to assist various educational, community base and human service institutions throughout the district. The Prevention Health and Education Curriculums are designed specifically for each community, to address the endemic concerns as it relates to education, health and human services. Each topic, within the curriculum, has an evaluation and assessment component, which is designed to address and support weak areas and challenge the sturdy area to become better. The Center for Community and Business Development has developed several curriculums for public and private organizations throughout the country, with positive outcomes. This is a great opportunity for your city to take a revolution stance to address the health and well being of your citizens. Please review the enclosed brochure, which briefly describe the Center for Community and Business Development. Call my direct line: 1(917) 776-5292 or (718) 823-3767 5/28/02 Page 2 of 3 Again, thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, David Kelly Education Coordinator List of Services Health and Education * Male / Female Health * Substance Use and Abuse * Male / Female Parenting * HIV/AIDS/STD's * Young Parents (Parenting) * Holistic Health * Self Esteem and Individuality * Male and Female Relations * Peer Pressure * High School & College Prep * Educating Your Child * Dating Crimes, Domestic Violence * Environmental / Social Health * Making Good Decision 5/28/02 Page 3 of 3 Medical and Public Health * Mental Health * HIV/AIDS Clinical Trails * Diet and Nutrition * STD Treatment and Services * Clinical and Medical Assessment * Maternal Child Health * Cancers, High blood pressure, Diabetes * Epidemiological * Clinical Depression * Current Public Health Concerns * Lead Poisoning (children) * Allied Health Careers Business and Economics * Research and Evaluation Methodology * Comm. Mobilization * Fundraising * Comm. Planning and Development * Business Plans and Marketing * Financial Planning * Career Planning * Creative Collaboration Human Services * Communication Skills * Self Advocacy * Work Place Ethic * Organizational Management * Cultural Diversity * Job Readiness * Women Support Services * Team Building * Consumer etiquette * Conflict Resolution (workplace/school) 5/28/02 CASEY D. MAHON May 28, 2002 Iowa City Council Civic Center 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear Council Members: The attached two petitions, signed by virtually every homeowner in the relevant area, are self-explanatory. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. ~Cc: original signed petitions to Steven J. Atkin,s City Manager 226 McLean Street · Iowa City. IA 52246. i319) 356-6166 · FAX: t319) 356-0165 · cdmahon@aol.com Iowa City Council Dear Council Members: We, the undersigned, hereby respectfully request that the City of Iowa City undertake traffic calming efforts in eastern Manville Heights. As of June 2002, there will be at least six children under 8 years of age residing in the four owner-occupied dwellings in the 200 block of McLean Street (the other structure is a duplex not currently occupied by children). Along Beldon and Ferson Avenues between Grove and River Street there are many more children. The children in our neighborhood walk to elementary school. We make this urgent request at a time when construction is being completed on two properties at North Riverside Drive (with sole vehicular access at Ridgeland and McLean) and at 220 River Street (with sole vehicular access on Ellis Avenue). These structures will have a'total of 34 units with a total potential occupancy of 102. Moreover, a few of us learned on May 15, 2002, that the Iowa City Planning & Zoning Commission is currently considering staff-recommended approval of a new 10-unit apartment building (with 24 bedrooms, at least as currently proposed) at an address characterized as 34l North Riverside Drive (with sole vehicular access onto Ridgeland Avenue). The additional traffic created by these projects will make an already untenable situation unbearable to neighbors and poses an extreme safety risk to children and adults. In recent years, we have witnessed near misses, speeding traffic leaving the roadway~, flagrant and daily violations of existing speeding and parking restrictions, dozens of cars heading east on one-way westerly Grove Street, and most recently, streets clogged with construction vehicles. We are realistic that a decision to close McLean at Ellis would take much time and study and the input of many parties. But over this summer, before the academic year resumes, we respectfully, but urgently, ask that the City: 1) Ban parking on the entire 200 block of McLean Street (it is now blocked from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday) and enforce such a ban through ticketing and towing so motorists and children will have clear sight lines. ~ A car actually struck Dr. John Maxwell's house at River Street, as it sped south on Beldon. An out-of-control speeding full-size chartered bus destroyed the fire hydrant at the northeast corner of McLean and Beldon four years ago. The tree at the south ~w~'corner of Beldon and McLean was the only thing keeping a car from slamming into the duplex at 225 McLean a few years back. 2) Install stop signs at Ellis and McLean (three-way), Beldon and McLean (four-way), Beldon and Grove (three-way), and McLean and Ferson I 3) Install speed bumps on the 200 and 300 block of McLean Street and on Beldon between Grove and River. 4) Consider installing cameras to identify "wrong-way" drivers on Grove Street. Your prompt response will be appreciated. Sincerely, The Undersigned Residents of Manville Heights 2) Install stop signs at Ellis and McLean (three-way), Beldon and McLean (four-way), Beldon and Grove (three-way), and McLean and Ferson (~3'rre,~way). 3) Install speed bumps on the 200 and 300 block of McLean S~'cet and on Beldon between Grove and River. 4) Consider installin§ cameras to identify ~wron§-wa~ d~ivers on Grove Street. Your prompt response will be appreciated. Sincerely, The Undersigned Residents of Manville Heights Signature Address 2) Install stop signs at Ellis and McLean (three-way), Beldon and McLean (four-way), Beldon and Grove (three-way), and McLean and Ferson (~hrc, e-way). ~o~ 3) Install speed bumps on the 200 and 300 block of McLean Street and on Beldon between Grove snd River. 4) Consider installing cameras to identify 'wrong-way" drivers on Grove Street, Your prompt response will be appreciated. Sincerely, The Undersigned Residents of Manville Heights 2) Install stop signs at Ellis and McLean (three-way), Beldon and McLean (four-way), Beldon and Grove (three-way), and McLean and Ferson (~re~way). 3) Install speed bumps on the 200 and 300 block of McLean Street and on Beldon between Grove and River. 4) Consider installing cameras to identify 'wrong-way" drivers on Grove Street. Your prompt response will be appreciated. Sincerely, The Undersigned Residents of Manville Heights Signature Address PETITION TO INSTALL SPEED HUMPS AND STOP SIGNS ON GROVE STREET Grove Street is often used as a short cut by drivers who do not respect the speed limit, thereby endangering pedestrians and bicyclists. This street is barely wide enough for one car, and there are often situations where one car pulls into the grass to let another pass safely. We request that speed humps be placed on Grove Street and stop signs be placed at the intersections of both Ferson Avenue & Grove Street and Beldon Avenue & Grove Street. These measures will help ensure the safety of the many children and adults who walk and bike in our neighborhood. Name Phone Number PETITION TO INSTALL SPEED HUMPS AND STOP SIGNS ON GROVE STREET Grove Street is often used as a short cut by drivers who do not respect the speed limit, thereby endangering pedestrians and bicyclist. This street is barely wide enough for one car, and there are often situations where one car pulls into the grass to let another pass safely. We request that speed humps be placed on Grove Street and stop signs be placed at the interseetions of both Ferson Avenue & Grove Street and Beldon Avenue & Grove Street. These measures will help ensure the safety of the many children and adults who walk and bike in our neighborhood. Name,, Phone Number 30. 35. 37. Ok ~ '~'~W 38. 737-77z? , 40. PETITION TO INSTALL SPEED HUMPS AND STOP SIGNS ON GROVE STREET Grove Street is often used as a short cut by driver~ who do not respect the speed limit, thereby endangering pedestrians and bicyclists. This street is barely wide enough for one ear, and there are often situations where one car pulls into the grass to let another pass safely. We request that speed humps be placed on Grove Street and stop signs be plaeed at the interseetions of both Fer~on Avenue & Grove Street and Beidon Avenue & Grove Street. These measures will help ensure the safety of the many children and adults who walk and bike in our neighborhood. Name Phone Number 46. C ' 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: May 31, 2002 To: City Council From: Jeff Davidson, Assistant Director of Planning and Community Development ~'~/ Re: Request for traffic calming in Manville Heights You received correspondence from Casey D. Mahon dated May 28, 2002, containing a petition for traffic calming efforts in eastern Manville Heights. The specific actions requested include: 1. Eliminating on-street parking on the 200 block of McLean Street 2. Installing all-way stop control at the intersections of Ellis Avenue/McLean Street, Beldon Avenue/McLean Street, Beldon Avenue/Grove Street, and Ferson Avenue/McLean Street. 3. Installing "speed bumps" on the 200 and 300 blocks of McLean Street and on Beldon Avenue between Grove Street and River Street. 4. Consider installing cameras to identify motorists going the wrong way on Grove Street. It would be my intention to have JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planning investigate these issues according to our normal procedures. For on-street parking this entails a traffic study to determine if a safety issue exists. If a safety issue is present, then staff will make a recommendation to the City Council on the appropriate on-street parking control. If we do not perceive a safety issue, then we typically leave the provision of on-street parking up to a neighborhood survey of affected residences. The 200 block of McLean Street is currently an area of intensive on-street parking. The installation of stop signs is investigated according to the warrants for stop sign control that are published in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. You are aware that our current policy is not to install stop signs for speed control in neighborhoods; this is an inappropriate use of stop signs. Past installations of unwarranted stop signs in neighborhoods have traded one type of traffic safety issue for another. If speed control is an issue for neighborhood residents, we may wish to step up spot speed enforcement with the Police Department. It would be our intention to conduct the investigation of speed humps on the 200 and 300 blocks of McLean Street, and on Beldon Avenue between Grove Street and River Street according to the guidance you have developed for the installation of traffic calming features. I will provide a copy of the City Council's guidance to Casey D. Mahon so that she is aware of the procedure to be followed. We will also apprise the Manville Heights Neighborhood Association of this request; it is my understanding that they are not aware of it at this time. As I have stated to you before, it is my understanding that State law does not allow video cameras to be used to issue a traffic citation to a motorist. It is my recommendation that the installation of video cameras for traffic enforcement, in Manville Heights or elsewhere, not be pursued at this time. Request for Traffic Calming in Manville Heights May 31, 2002 Page 2 Please let me know at your June 10 City Council work session if there is a majority of the City Council that would like us to proceed differently than is indicated above. Otherwise, we will commence our investigation into these issues and attempt to have our analysis completed so that any approved traffic calming measures could be installed prior to the beginning of the fall University semester, as has been requested by the neighborhood. cc: City Manager Director of Public Works Director of Planning and Community Development City Engineer JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner Neighborhood Services Coordinator Casey D. Mahon, 226 McLean Street Ann Conners, Manville Heights Neighborhood Assoc., 301 Richards Street ppdad m/mem/jd-mvillehts.doc Bethel A.M.E. 411 South Governor Street Iowa City, IA 52240 ~i ' : ~ Ill( Rev. Orlando Dial, Pasto~,',?~ !. ~ ~i l(?~v',~ Phone # 319-338-7876 May 16, 2002 City of Iowa City/CiW Council Iowa CiW Hall lowa City, ~ ~: CDBG Fundin~Allocations Dear Council Members: It has come to the aRention of Bethel A.M.E. Church that several items which are very important to the l~s fo~unate in our community have b~n discussed and decisions made, which may not be in the best interest of those persons desiring and desexing the greater benefit of the block grant process. I speak to you sp~ifically of the homeless and low-income families that are living in Iowa CiW or who have attempted to relocate to Iowa City but have historically found the environment here I~s responsive and in some cases "insensitive to their immediate needs. Every person and family should expect to be able to find decent, safe and warm shelter. In most instances of those persons arriving from places outside of Iowa CiW, they are attempting to ~cape conditions which are intolerable or exist of deplorable and iif~threatening situations which contribute to the current conditions prevalent in this country, a general sense of uncaring. While it is true, that church,, civic organizations, local, state and federal governments have limited resources, it is time we look to the One who has unlimited resources to resolve the simple problems before us. In order to do so, we must join hands in an effo~, first to understand the plight of person's homeless, unemployed, underemployed and those who lack employable s~lls. We must understand as it is scriptually written (Matthew 8:20), "foxes have hol~ and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no where to lay his head." When you reflect on this, it is apparent that being sensitive to the needs of others ~ a most impo~ant virtue, and desirous for living in harmony with one another adhering to ~dly principles. I have attached a short sto~ which sums up our total resolve on where we as a caring people should be on the paths of doing good and doing God. Our suggestion is each of you; Council, Commission, and programs unders~nd the greater impo~nce in doing good and doing God. Y~, r~ources from your sight may be limited, but in keeping with the tenets of Mathew 25 which talks about the journeys each life takes, but in particular Mathew 25:21 which sees the Master rewarding the ones who were full of faith and multiply the talents given, by reckoning, because you have been faithful with a few things, I will place you in charge of many things. This was true then as it is today. If things are done for good, then greater gifts result. Find a way to make the affordable housing development feasible, the emergency housing survey a reality and work in harmony, you may be surprise as to the outcome of your joint efforts. In Christ's Holy name I wish each of you peace and abundant wisdom. Yours in Christ, Orlando Dial, Pastor Bethel A.M.E. Church Enclosure: A Story of A Homeless Man Dear Friends, There are many people in this world who are only interested in themselves and meeting their own needs, but that's not the way God wishes for us to act. The Lord declares in Mark 12:31, "You are to love your neighbor as yourself" and Luke 6:35 says to be willing to give to a//who ask of you, not looking for anything in return and God Himself will reward you openly for acting as He has called each of us to act. I know it is easier said then done, but I challenge you to try to be more giving of yourself and in doing so you will see Acts 20:35 come alive, which declares, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." We never know what a kind word, gesture or deed will do to someone on the inside, but doing nothing and expecting the next person to lend a helping hand is in essence canceling out the blessing that could have affected at least two lives; yours and that person in need. This is a good story that shows how we never know who that person is that needs a simple helping hand. I hope this message speaks to your heart as it did to mine. THE HOMELESS MAN It was a cold winter's day that Sunday. The parking lot to the church was filling up quickly. I noticed as I got out of my car that fellow church members were whispering among themselves as they walked to the church. As I got closer I saw a man leaned up against the wall outside the church. He was almost lying down as if he was asleep. He had on a long trench coat that was almost in shreds and a hat topped his head, pulled down so you could not see his face. He wore shoes that looked 30 years old, too small for his feet with holes all over them as well as his toes sticking out of one shoe. I assumed this man was homeless, and asleep, so I walked on by through the doors of the church. We all gathered for fellowship for a few minutes, and someone mentioned the man lying outside. People snickered and gossiped but no one bothered to ask him to come in, including me. A few moments later church began. We all waited for the Preacher to take his place and give us the Word, when the doors to the church opened. In came the homeless man walking down the aisle with his head down. People gasped and whispered and made faces. He made his way down the aisle and up onto the pulpit and took off his coat and hat. My heart sank. There stood our preacher...he was the "homeless man". No one said a word. The preacher took his Bible and laid it on the stand and said, "Folks, I don't think I have to tell you what I am preaching about today." Author Unknown It is so important that we love one another and show Jesus through our acts and deeds. The best way to win a person to Christ is by showing we care and not be judgmental of their past mistakes. None of us are perfect and we have all fallen short plenty of times, for the Bible declares in Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." I encourage you to be forgiving and caring, just as God cares for and has forgiven each of us. The Bible declares that by our acts of kindness, we have without our knowing, in fact reached out and entertained angels as it is written in Hebrews 13:1-3 "Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for bF so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering." God is a loving God and wishes for each of us to have that same love and compassion for one another. I can continue to tell you how blessed it is to give to others, but ! think it's better if the Master explains giving, as He is the example that we all need to follow. Read and meditate on these words from the Lord: Matthew 5:16 Jesus says, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 25:34-40 Jesus says, "Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 'for I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 'I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.' "Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 'When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 'Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' "And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'" All scriptures can be found in the New King James Version. Remember this: Giving, is not your chance to bless someone else, but God's chance to bless you. (Luke 6:38) CITY OF IOWA CITY 410 East Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240-1826 (319) 356-5000 (3[9) 356-5009 FAX www,lcgov,org May 30, 2002 Pastor Orlando Dial Bethel A.M.E. Church 411 S. Governor Street Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear Pastor Dial: This note is in response to your May 16 correspondence directed to me and to the City Council. You stated a concern that "homeless and Iow-income families that are living in Iowa City or who have attempted to relocate to Iowa City but have historically found the environment here less responsive and in some cases 'insensitive to their immediate needs.'" In order to follow-up on your concern, it would be helpful if you could cite specific examples or individuals who have had such experiences. I can have each matter investigated and very likely provide you with the City's specific response to an individual seeking housing or human service assistance. As I am sure you are aware, the City of Iowa City as well as Johnson County, the State of Iowa, and numerous agencies in this area, work hard to provide assistance to those who need it. Sincerely yours, City Manager cc: City Council City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: May 15, 2002 To: City Clerk From: Beth Pfohl, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner ~It Re: Item for June 1'1, 2002 City Council meeting: Installation of two speed limit signs on Rupped Road As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3B of the City Code, this is to advise the City Council of the following action. Action: Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A(1), two speed limit signs indicating 25 miles per hour will be installed near the intersections of Ruppert Road and Riverside Drive and Ruppert Road and the Cub Foods access drive. Comment: This action is being taken at the request of the Iowa City Police Department. This road was recently constructed and does not currently have speed limit signs. The 25-mile per hour speed limit is based upon the design speed of the road.