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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-10-03 Correspondence I! j ~~~~tt "".... "a11I~ ....,.... ... CITY OF IOWA CITY MEMORANDUM rnJ Date: September 14, 2006 To: City Clerk From: Anissa Williams, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner a>>f Re: Item for October 3. 2006 City Council meeting: Installation of NO PARKING ANY TIME signs on the east side of Miller Avenue between Highway 1 and 952 Miller Avenue As directed by Title 9. Chapter 1. Section 3B of the City Code. this is to advise the City Council of the following action. Action: Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A(10). install NO PARKING ANY TIME signs on the east side of Miller Avenue between Highway 1 and 952 Miller Avenue Comment: This action is being taken because vehicles parked on the street with delivery trucks present make it too narrow for Iowa City transit buses to get through in this commercial area. mgr/agd/aw-millerave NPAT.doc Ln If) ~ e 5: {. 0 1__ ._"c_ , ...::: CD li._ CL .~ !..U <.-~ v;o (..... .....::::~ U ::::;:. '-'" C':l 0 c...:::r C'''oJ I! I -~= -~... ~~~;t:'"Y. -.;;;;..... .....,~ ......... CITY OF IOWA CITY MEMORANDUM D:J Date: September 14, 2006 To: City Clerk From: Anissa Williams, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner ~ Re: Item for October 3, 2006 City Council meeting: Installation of NO PARKING ANY TIME signs on the west side ofWyide Green Road between Benton Street and Talwrn Court As directed by Titie 9, Chapter 1, Section 3B of the City Code, this is to advise the City Council of the following action. Action: Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A(10), install NO PARKING ANY TIME signs on the west side of Wylde Green Road between Benton Street and Talwrn Court. Comment: This action is being taken because vehicles parked on the street directly opposite each other make it too narrow for emergency vehicles/buses to get through. mgr/agdlaw-wyldegr NPAT.doc t...D !n S? ;$ f:"": ::-/ roo'"' (-".' LL, '"q:: - LL co w... ui ~ ~> C::l ~, ..-.-<"- C) -..:;~: :s- O I ~ 1 -....= -~ ~~a;:~'t "'-.... _l1li1'- .......~ CITY OF IOWA CITY I:=J MEMORANDUM Date: September 21,2006 To: City Clerk From: Anissa Williams, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner ()Jf Re: Item for October 3, 2006 City Council meeting: Installation of NO PARKING ANY TI ME signs on the north and west side of Foster Road between Swisher Lane and Willenbrock Circle As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 38 of the City Code, this is to advise the City Council of the following action. Action: Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A(10), install NO PARKING ANY TIME signs on the north and west side of Foster Road between Swisher Lane and Willenbrock Circle Comment: This action is being taken because vehicles parked on the street directly opposite each other make it too narrow for two vehicles to pass each other. Given the higher than anticipated traffic volume on Foster Road due to the Thornberry Dog Park and future frisbee golf course, this creates a safety hazard for motorists. Mgr/agd/aw-foster -swisher. doc ,'_J- 6 C'~) = ~ ':c.---" .~.> c> '-""', -:<-- ,"; Il -0 :) N i- I ('.) . '. , , ," I fT'i -0 , I ._, 22 -,.- \ ~.~) (") ~ / , '> 5> [',) -.l r::n Marian Karr From: Jonathan Fasselius Oonathan.fasselius@gmail.com] Sent: Monday, September 18, 2006 6:56 PM To: 'City Council Subject: Burlington Street Bridge Hello. My name is Jonathan Fasselius, and if you don't recognize it, I was the person who fell through the Burlington Street bridges in June of this year. I was pointed to an article that said this happened again and was pleased to see that Amy Correia was going to bring up the issue of some sort of protective measure for the bridge. Knowing firsthand how this happened to me, I would just like to offer my assistance in anyway it would benefit this discussion; whether that's sharing my story or my thoughts on why I think this seems to keep happening over the years in this same spot. Thank you for considering the issue and feel free to contact me for any reason in regards to this. Jonathan J.C. Fasselius 1701 Lynncrest Drive; Coralville JJlnaJban,Easselius@gmall.com 9/18/2006 r:m Marian Karr From: John Yapp Sent: Wednesday, September 20,200610:44 AM To: 'bubbleangeI2008@yahoo.com' Cc: 'City Council; Jeff Davidson; Steve Atkins; Anissa Williams Subject: FW; Traffic issue for the Council's consideration From: John Yapp Sent: Tuesday, September 19, 20064:32 PM To: Jeff Davidson Subject: RE: Traffic issue for the Council's consideration Hello Pamela Brande, your e-mail was forwarded to me for a response. We had a similar request recently from Austin Baeth, the City Council I Student Government liason. The Market Street I Madison Street intersection was studied in 2004 as part of a larger study of traffic and pedestrian patterns through the Market Street I Madison Street I Jefferson Street intersections. Currently Market Street traffic (west bound) is uncontrolled due to it being a more dominant traffic flow than the two legs of Madison Street. Stopping Market Street traffic at the bottom of the hill would make this intersection less safe for pedestrians for two reasons: 1) Some motorists approaching this stop sign would get used to seeing little or no Madison Street traffic certain times of the day, and would roll through the stop sign - this creates a safety issue for a pedestrian stepping into the street who thinks the motorist will always stop at the stop sign; 2) Stopping this volume of traffic at the bottom of a steep hill would create rear-end collisions, particularly during wet and icy conditions - this is not only unsafe for motorists, but could be for pedestrians if cars are pushed into the intersection. We checked 5 years of collision data and found no collisions involving pedestrians at this intersection. I agree that, like many higher volume crossing locations, it can be an uncomfortable place to cross the street. Similar to other uncontrolled locations, pedestrians should wait for a gap in traffic to cross the street safely. There are adequate gaps in traffic to be able to cross. Washington Street traffic at Madison Street is able to be stopped due to it being less steep, and having much less traffic volume, lessening the concerns with stop sign roll-throughs, and rear end collisions. Thank you, and let us know if you have questions about other locations. John Yapp Assistant Transportation Planner From: Pamela Brande [mailto:bubbleangeI2008@yahoo.com] Sent: Friday, September 15, 2006 6: 13 PM To: *City Council Subject: Traffic issue for the Council's consideration To Whom It May Concern: I am writing on behalf of the University ofIowa Student Government. Recently, the department 9/20/2006 Page 2 of2 of Student Disability Services appointed me to represent the voice of its student constituency. This year it is our foremost goal to work with city officials to correct and! or improve existing accessibility issues as they pertain to the University ofIowa campus. Much progress has been made in securing a safe and accessible campus for all students. However, pressing issues still remam. Most immediate is our concern for student safety at the intersection of Market and Madison Streets. The traffic turning left at this intersection does not stop. Instead, pedestrians--particularly those with mobility issues, who thus require more time to cross the street are made to wait until there is no traffic present to cross the intersection for fear of being hit by an on-coming vehicle. The City ofIowa City and University ofIowa have provided an adequate and safe alternative route for students with disabilities to access the Iowa Memorial Union; with this exception. A safe crossing point at the intersection of Market and Madison Streets, which is a key point of passage to the ADA access ramp located at the northern-most entrance to the Iowa Memorial Union. We submit for the council's consideration a change in traffic-pattern similar to that on Washington Street, consisting of a three-way stop to facilitate the safe crossing of all pedestrians through this difficult junction. Thank you, Pamela Brande Student Disability Services, Senator 3100 Burge Hall Iowa City, Iowa 52242 pamela-brande@uiowa.edu (515) 473-8096 9/20/2006 Marian Karr I];] From: Sent: To: Subject: Matthew Theobald [matthew_theobald@hotmail.com] Tuesday, September 19, 2006 10:43 AM 'City Council Downtown Councilors, The situation downtown has become so intolerable that I feel I have to comment. I returned to Iowa City with the hopes of continuing my family business. The Soap Opera has been in the pedestrian mall for 25 years. If the downtown is allowed to continue to decline I fear it will be impossible. This last weekend was a particularly egregious example of what has sadly become a acceptable environment in the downtown. By the time I opened at lOam clearly drunken people were already spread throughout the pedestrian mall, shouted obscenities could be heard and trash was already begun to be strewn about. The situation only got worse. In the course of the day at least two fights broke out in front of the store. One resulted in some bottles being thrown. Throughout the day I had to deal with often drunk and belligerent people entering the store and demanding to use my bathroom. Upon refusal they would make a scene and often have to be ushered out under threat of the police. I believe one of them threw and broke a glass in our entryway. True or not, someone did. These didn't take place in the dark of night. This is the afternoon. Throughout the day I had people try to enter my business with open containers of alcohol and large numbers of drunken, loud and aggressive people swamped the pedestrian mall. By the time I shut down at 5:30pm the pedestrian mall was trashed. I have no idea how bad it got in the evening. I have been around the business and been in Iowa City for most of my life and all I can say is the situation has gotten progressively worse. How can a retail business be expected to operate under these conditions? The few customers I got were clearly disturbed by the situation and that doesn't bode well for there return. At one time a location in the downtown pedestrian mall was a great location. Now I'm beginning to see it as a detriment. I see many positive developments in the pedestrian mall, both now and in the future that give me hope but unless steps are made to make the downtown safe and friendly it won't matter. If assaults are a nightly occurrence then the situation is clearly out of control. I use last weekend as an example but this sort of behavior isn't just that. Two weeks ago people were moving about the pedestrian mall throwing stink bombs. Vomit and urine cleanup from my lighted entryway are a not uncommon events. Vandalism of the store exterior happens yearly. Drunken verbal harassment of customers happens several times a week. The first time a family comes on an excursion into the pedestrian mall and is subjected to this sort of behavior is probably the last time they come. I understand there is a tight rope to walk here. Still I would hope that you think about the impact this is having on businesses such as ours. Thank you. Matthew Theobald Manager and part owner of the Soap Opera 1 4-~ (l) Marian Karr From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Dale Helling Monday, October 02, 2006 11 :06 AM 'ryan-c-you ng@uiowa.edu' 'City Council RE: The ReallD Act Dear Ryan, Thank you for your email to the City Council regarding the "Real 10 Act." Council members do not receive emails directly. Your message will be forwarded to them and received as official correspondence as a part of an upcoming meeting agenda. You may also contact Council members directly and their phone numbers are listed on the City website at www.icgov.org Click on "Council" on the red menu bar. Perhaps I can provide some clarification. The City of Iowa City does not issue drivers' licenses. This is a function of the State of Iowa. To the best of my knowledge, the Act to which you refer places certain requirements on States to obtain and include certain information on drivers' licenses or State issued IDs. Drivers' licenses or other government approved 10 would be required for air travel and other private purposes as well as for obtaining many government services. At this point I am not aware of how and to what extent local government may. have requirements relative to their provision of services. I understand that there is an implementation period of 3 years. I suspect we will be hearing more about local government's role in this initiative as the Federal and State governments move toward implementation of the Act. If you can be more specific about what "enforcement" measures the City will undertake, perhaps I could better respond. In any event, I hope this information is helpful for you. Best regards, Dale Helling Assistant City Manager -----Original Message----- From: ryan-c-young@uiowa.edu [mailto:ryan-c-young@uiowa.edu] Sent: Sunday, September 24, 2006 11:27 PM To: *City Council Subject: The Real ID Act To Whom This May Concern: Hello, my name is Ryan Young, and I am a reporter for the University of Iowa's Daily Iowan newspaper. I am doing a story regarding the Real 10 Act and its effects on the state of Iowa, or more locally, the citizens of Iowa City. I would like to interview someone from the city who would know about when Iowa City will begin to enforce the act and have its drivers licenses changed and such. If someone could please tell me of someone who would best be able to answer my questions I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks for your time, and I look forward to hearing back soon. Ryan Young 1 Marian Karr r:;;l. From: Sent: To: Subject: ryan-c-young@uiowa.edu Sunday, September 24, 2006 11 :27 PM 'City Council The ReallD Act To Whom This May Concern: Hello, my name is Ryan Young, and I am a reporter for the University of Iowa's Daily Iowan newspaper. 1 am doing a story regarding the Real 1D Act and its effects on the state of Iowa, or more locally, the citizens of Iowa City. I would like to interview someone from the city who woul.d know about when Iowa City will begin to enforce the act and have its drivers licenses changed and such. If someone could please tell me of someone who would best be able to answer my questions I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks for your time, and I look forward to hearing back soon. Ryan Young 1 D:J Marian Karr From: Leonard, Judith J [Judith-Leonard@hawkeyesports.com] Sent: Monday, September 25,20068:31 AM To: 'City Council Subject: 157 S. Westminster Hi, Is this property for sale by anyone? It is an eyesore for any of us living in this neighborhood. It also invites vandalism. I would like to know more about this property. It is unbelievable that this place has been vacated for over two years now. I would really like to know the deal on it. Who is responsible for maintaining it (bad roof & gutters, lawn, & many more things)? Judith Leonard 2909 Washington St Iowa City, IA 52245 (319) 341-9337 9/25/2006 Marian Karr [;D From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Matt Johnson Monday, September 25,2006333 PM 'Prophet Livingood'; 'City Council; Eleanor M Dilkes Sam Hargadine RE: FOLLOW-UP 2 Local Adult Book Stores Prophet K.M. Livingood, We are currently in the process of evaluating the issues you identified in your previous correspondence, to which I responded via telephone last week. As I'm sure you realize, specific information related to that evaluation is not something I am able to share with you at this time. I encourage you to contact me with any other concerns or questions you may have. Capt. Matt Johnson Field Operations Commander Iowa City Police Department 319-356-5440 -----Original Message----- From: Prophet Livingood [mailto:prophetlivingood@yahoo.com] Sent: Monday, September 25, 2006 3:18 PM To: Matt Johnson; *City Council; Eleanor M. Dilkes Subject: Re: FOLLOW-UP 2 Local Adult Book Stores http://www.ange1fire.com/ab8/p1easurepa1ace/ Dear Sirs, Information was faxed to your newsroom about 2 local adult book stores which aa1leged1y are knowingly per-mitting Indecent Exposure and Prostitution to occur on their properties: Pleasure Palace, 315 Kirkwood, Iowa City, Iowa The Adult Marketplace, 440 Kirkwood, Iowa City, Iowa Do you intend to investigate this matter by conducting a sting/stake out and hopefully catch persons engaging in unlawful conduct ? So far I have not gotten satisfactory results from Iowa City Police Department, so this email is also goiing both City Atorney's Office, City Mayor, and City Council for possible dereliction of your police duties. Sincerely, Prophet Kirk Micah Livingood a/k/a Kurt Michael Livengood 319-351-1736 leave voice message please, if i don't answer. Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 1 (]1;] Marian Karr From: ftynusa@insightbb.com Sent: Sunday, September 24, 2006 10:08 AM To: 'City Council; Stewart, Janyce J Subject: Fw: Fantastic Event Ms Jan Stewart & Ross Wilburn: Dave Stephens and I was at your tour today. All we can say is "WOW" what a fantastic job all of you folks did. We have never been to a tour that was so well organized from the very start. The brochure, the registration, the follow up letter with the agenda. The early am waffles, the great sag- stops, the directions along the way, the great hand out packets-with all the goodies, really sharp socks which I will treasure, the location, the route, offering to bring purchased items from the stores along the route (really a great idea), the shower unit, coupons from local establishments, food, music. Again all we can say is "WOW" Great job. Our hats off to all of you who went above and beyond the call of duty. We will be back again next year, except we will bring another half-dozen bi/s{!rsJrolll (JUr ar(!(/.. And Ross, can you please email me a copy of the web site where you will post the photo you took of Dave Stephens and myself. And please give my regards to your Fixed Base Operator of your Iowa City Airport. He/they do a great job. I love flying into that airport... Happy biking... Don J. Schiff Business Development Officer Central Bank Princeton, Il 613 56 815-878-0866 cell 815-872-0022 residence office 815-875-3461 main office don.schiff@centra.l-bank.com flynusa@insightbb.com (home email) 9/26/2006 Apple "free Children's Centers The Early Education Professionals 5 IY~ []illlJ I-'ll '-r r'rU'J znosq:-P?7 f,I"II"3 ~ , " ,,-. '- -i! ! ';:J .!!!!.I- " '" C""'i,. i "I ,", ii ,j I I r'~./.,_Llll\ 'Oll'!)', !"IT'ri I'O\M'A 1 v.. ~._, - I I ',- 'I, September 25, 2006 City ofIowa City 410 East Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240-1826 Dear Mayor and City Council, I am delighted with our center's current enrollment levels at our site located at 325 South Dubuque Street in Iowa City. Since we opened Apple Tree Children's Center in July of2005, we have experienced continued growth and development. ,,~I!te need to sel):9~I~ familie~Jll1S"iiJ.~~ so has the need for 0;t~'::tilddiUop.,~1 par~:sp~es~.aceVt to our. bttiJ.rm:~. As stated. in our ~urrent i~/d$" lease, A~?i,1~~ii:!<t~ . ,~tllv~lable'{,'lr\ur excluslve use m front ~~ t ~:~r ~r s~~~~~~:par' .~r:"reWtn; th' ,~~~=~~~= \ ~QO'-~.~~i;f~;~ <<?~-f "i_"_.:~~, 4:~:"---------'--------"" '''' ,',' -', ~l~ i~;~ 'i' ,>;'" Y~!;J:ii; j,' l'f.l0. bi vi'- "Ai Vi w ~_ ij;2i'0~ " di.';0' ,.~" yf'1 ;.il; . y ,; Smcere1(., Y ..".,,' i" '" '., ~ "', .'loP ',U'I;"'*%4." "" >4 u; S;?l~~R,f~ 0tif{:\l* ~ ~ . . ~,. ~~i 11: "'*",:"" A 11- w,*.pP pn I; 17 ~i, ',. '1 11 . 7' ' ,\%"""00"$ y*0 =~~_ - - "'''!" "i"'W+~ '~~!LeamJ. An~ Re~iona1 Mai1age~.. ~':fi':*-,_ ',' .. \ +Y-0>jiqc_, >\1.,- '<'1:1'<<:'0'8", ,2c: JeflDavidson j), f+,_ , :~ "~ co:> ;:t;,f*,t<', ,,-,,4. Vii ;f;Y k,t Je/ '. (y,,,, << <-+ hi ,., + ,:;; ; V,f" i<' "'- o )+ ",- t,_/ ~ .i< -"'I. 1\; +.0 it> " :<';',;;'''''W+!:C.',:,,> ;:IF,! 86th.Streel"lJrbandale;fAS,t13ii. Phone;.515.270.0J;69' Fax: 515.270-6176 '" 4'~\"w.ear1Yedil~alionpr6h)fg .... '; 11 <i; Page 1 of2 '-t ~ (('"J..) Marian Karr From: Dale Helling Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2006 10:47 AM To: 'matt morriss' Cc: 'City Council; Doug Hart; Steve Atkins Subject: RE: Jaywalking and Bicycle Violations Dear Mr. Morriss, Thank you for your email communication to the City Council regarding enforcement of jaywalking and bicycle violations. Council members do not receive emails directly and your message will be forwarded to them as official correspondence and included on an upcoming formal meeting agenda. One or more Council members way then respond directly to you at their discretion. In addition, you may contact them individually by telephone if you wish. Their phone numbers are listed on the City website at w\/lIII;,icgoll.org Just click on "Council" on the menu bar. Perhaps I can be of some assistance in this matter. Indillidual enforcement actions are left to the discretion of the Police administration and the officers who respond to particular problem situations or complaints. Council members do receive complaints at times and they raise those as issues for resolution by City staff. Complaints about bicyclists riding on the sidewalks downtown, an activity that is particularly hazardous to pedestrians, are frequently made to the police as well as to staff and to Council, and Council has recently requested that enforcement of these violations be given a high priority by the police. The beginning of the school year and in the springtime seems to be when these violations occur most frequently. I do not recall any discussion by Council about the jaywalking issue prior to the concentrated enforcement by the police which began in response to an increase is pedestrian-motorist conflicts and coincided with the beginning of University fall semester classes. You have indicated that you are working directly with Sgt. Hart at the Police Department. I believe he can best assist you in obtaining the information you desire to the extent that it is available. If I can be of any further assistance, please feel free to contact me as well. Sincerely, Dale Helling Assistant City Manager (319) 356-5013 cc. Sgt. Hart Steve Atkins, City Manager From: m'att morriss [mailto:mattmorriss@gmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2006 4:32 PM To: *City Council Subject: Jaywalking and Bicycle Violations To Whom It May Concern, I am a law student here at the University ofIowa and I also work for Weekend American Iowa Edition (the Saturday morning news magazine program at WSUI) and I was wondering ifI could ask for some information about jaywalking and bicycle violations. It is my understanding that there have been a large number of jaywalking tickets handed out in the past couple of months (perhaps coinciding with the influx of students coming back to town for school) and would like to verify this. I would like to get access to the numbers of tickets/citations handed out for 9/28/2006 Page 20f2 jaywalking and bicycle violations. I would also like to know ifthere have been an abnormal of tickets/citations handed out and, if so, I'd like to find out why. I have been in contact with Sgt. Hart at the Police Department. He has agreed to help me with things on that end. I was wondering if someone from the City Council would be willing to do the same. Any help would be appreciated, Matt Morriss 9/28/2006 .------.-- _._._-~.._-,-"-_.,~._..- -~.._-------_...""'----------~_._-----------_.._-~_.._-.......-----.,...,.-----.- r:J Marian Karr From: matt morriss [mallmorriss@gmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, September 27,20064:32 PM To: 'City Council Subject: Jaywalking and Bicycle Violations To Whom It May Concern, ] am a law student here at the University ofIowa and I also work for Weekend American Iowa Edition (the Saturday morning news magazine program at WSUI) and I was wondering ifI could ask for some information about jaywalking and bicycle violations. It is my understanding that there have been a large number of jaywalking tickets handed out in the past couple of months (perhaps coinciding with the influx of students coming back to town for school) and would like to verify this. I would like to get access to the numbers of tickets/citations handed out for jaywalking and bicycle violations. I would also like to know if there have been an abnormal of tickets/citations handed out and, if so, I'd like to find out why. I have been in contact with Sgt. Hart at the Police Department. He has agreed to help me with things on that end. I was wondering if someone from the City Council would be willing to do the same. Any help would be appreciated, Matt Morriss 9/27/2006 __~...._^_____~_._._".______.__.__..__ ____M._____._________.~.,.__.__m_._._._._________._.___"-,....----..--.'^ (V6/ Hl7d') k Illi<oC IL) 1F5 A Regional HOUSING SUMMIT The Johnson County housing market is drivcn hy thc regional economy and many factors affect thc cost and availahility of housing. Employcrs, local governments, schools and private citizens all have a stakc in sharing information, idcntifying necds and cooperating on viable housing solutions. The program will include a keynote address, a panel of local expcrts and timc for hrainstorn1ing and input on collahorative possibilitics for Johnson County. For Johnson County Tuesday, November 14, 2006 8:30-10:30 AM South Slope Cooperative 980 North Front Street North Liberty Founded in 1978 by David Packard of Hewlett-Packard, SVLG is a public policy trade association that represents more than 200 of Silicon Valley's most respected private sector employers. SVLG is organizcd to involve principal officers and senior managers in cooperative effOlts with public officials to ad- dress major issues affecting the economic health and quality of life in Silicon Valley. These collaborative efforts have involved advocating for adequate at~ fordable hOllsing, comprchcnsiv'e regional transportation, reliable energy, a quality K-12 and higher education system and prepared workforce, a sustain- able environment and business and tax policies that keep California and Sili- con Valley competitive. Guardino was recently named one of the "Five Most Powerful" people in Silicon Valley by the San Jose Mercury News "power study" which is only conducted every ten years. Mr. Guardino \vill share his experience in engaging public and private leaders in coopcrative enorts to address community issues. ~ Please RSVP to htfiC@avalon.net. Background information and discussion items will be emailed priorto the summit. Information will also be available at www.htfjc.org. (~UfL J(,J;~ "1 Glenn Sck-~);tP"-5 HBA 11 South Gilbert P.O. Box 3396 Iowa City, Iowa 52244 Phone: (319) 351-5333 Fax: (319) 358-2443 E-mail: hbaofic@cs.com www.iowacityhomes.com The Greater Iowa City Area HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION Advocatesfor homeownership by promoting standards for quality and affordablility October 3, 2006 Honorable Mayor Ross Wilburn Iowa City Council Members City of Iowa City 410 E Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Dear Honorable Mayor Wilburn and City Council Members: We are present this evening to introduce to you a volunteer group that would like to have a public voice in addressing the extremely important issue of affordable housing. Our informal group seeks to strengthen the conversation with the thoughts and expertise of not only the homebuilding industry, but also the views of concerned interests and community voices. We are aware of the dialog the Council has already had and we will continue to listen to those discussions in the months ahead. We are convinced that as our group continues to gather information and formalize our thoughts we can provide the Council with a broader and deeper understanding of some of the fundamental issues affecting housing creation in our community. It is our intention to conclude our business and report to the Council by the spring of 2007. Providing affordable housing has become increasingly difficult, not just in Iowa City, but in surrounding communities and across the nation. Ensuring an ample supply of housing that is affordable to residents across the economic spectrum presents both opportunities as well as challenges to homebuilders, social services groups and policy makers. Creating and sustaining an adequate supply of affordable housing is not an issue that can be easily legislated. We truly believe it is a community issue and requires a community commitment. And while there is no one solution, it is our shared belief that one important and very necessary preliminary step is, for the builders and providers of housing, along with interested community participants, to come together and discuss the issues and identify the challenges. Our gathering of concerned parties will be taking a realistic approach to assessing the current market for housing in Iowa City and where possible, looking for realistic solutions. The goal of our group is to work towards identifying areas of agreement and commonality. There is no doubt that at times we will be faced with issues that we cannot come to a consensus. What we can agree to however, is presenting varying perspectives of those issues for the Council's consideration. Ultimately, we believe our dialog will prove beneficial to not only the policy makers, but to the community as a whole as we discuss the varied and diverse challenges impacting the Iowa City housing market. We thank you for your consideration of this important matter. Should you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact Greater Iowa City Area Home Builders Association at 351-5333. Affiliated with National Association of Home Builders & Home Builders Association of Iowa ~~ Glenn Siders Land Development Council MaryAnn Dennis The Housing Fellowship ~h oon Greater Iowa City Area Home Builders Association Ho sing Trust Fund of Johnson County ~~ Cheryl Ca all-Nelson Iowa City Area Association of Realtors K~bbY~ FAIR! Mark Patton ;.:p ~t for Humanity Steve Gordon AM Management Al Axeen n_ 14. =~ _"""(HACA,, >.::fb~ t2~/L/~ - --~------ "---~ ~-'---~- --~.- ------_._-~~ . _._~ _________ __,___~,__,_ ~__, Iowa City Near Southside :;1..5 Draft Design Plan L--1 J . =- ~rkin~ R~,:: d,;;'_,~r~ _':c;bLl~J}.l~~,~~i:2",Ra-~p 4 I, }, ~)t~'C ~C~~~~~ ~ J..r.~-y-rr"'~_""'-'. P"_'~__';"'_-':.';;";_-~'-"T :"'-." ;~ 'f!;"::;~~.lf~'-''''~ y.~~.:::-_~~t;;*~=-.-" ,.>~-: --~~. - , -....~;7:6"-~!' 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