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Home My WebLink About1994-03-01 Correspondence , 1_ ~li) ,) q/;e ~rts CtKkr-- .: 4- 0 .. ~:3=. (Q - -0 - 0::_ x: w. W cc -...lr c.:>1- ..J r- - - >-c.:> -- !::<( -U", co w c.:>;:!:: LL- 0' Iowa City / Johnson Counly Arts Council Lower Level. Jefferson Bldg. 319-337-7447 129 E. Washington Iowa City, Iowa 52240 ;.'., February 15th, 1994 ,.' -~.." me City Council Civic Center Iowa City, Iowa, 52240 , ' i The Iowa CitY/Johnson County Arts Council enthusiastically supports the plan for a community Cultural and Convention Center, currently referred to as Centerspace. We request that the City Council approve the setting aside of the parking area adjacent to the Holiday Inn for the eventual development of Centerspace. The arts are vital to a healthy community. They bring together people and places to create a cultural milieu. Iowa Ciy is fortunate in that its relatively highly educated population is interested in the arts both as audience and participants. The arts ,too, are an economic catalyst for development, attracting businesses and people(e.g. retirees) to our city. I@ We view Centerspace as having the potential to stimulate and maintain our lively downtown and in the long run benefit our city, Thank you for your consideration. . '.> fL Sincerely, ~I!~ cfc4dl Anne Gochenour, Co-ordinator, and Naomi Schedl, President :/ I '" /.(' , , l.f,~ ' ,. .. ""'''''''] ",,,',, ':"1""', 'i,', , " 0" " 'is'' , ' , -A. ~ "')"" ,," '>'~': . , . . .'. ".'.. . ,':, .' >~."! '.' . I .' o (, . - "'~":l ~"', ',. " " . . ".}1 , '; , >';',~; '.:;:. ' .' /: ..,,1.\1' :','.:'.'1'",. ,: .... .~. ': .", ,I ~ " ..; ," I,' , ~. ..'- :.,' ::( it,:,::;, ~'~ ,"~,,~, w""":,,,;,,;;;"";:~L. _.;_.....:..., \ ~ ~V2 ) ~ . " , , , . ~: ~'. '.:: :_~~' _:.-L. ;i.~~,~',;t-;:u.;,:i,..;~~:..::.:.cl.:;:'~:<...,' :.:.:~C"';_~...,';.c ~,-. ".'~~....,_.. . . F~lR:l) Iowa CLtV CouncU 94FEB 14 PM I: 05 Civic Centen CITY Cl ERt( 410 C.Mt Wa4.hing.ton Stne~WA CIT~ IOWA Iowa CitVI Iowa 52240' ' FebnuallV: 12, 1994 602 Whiting. Ave Iowa CitVI Iowa 52245 iJean CouncU /fJembeM, '''-- 1 am wnitin~ to VOU to g.o on necond Ion oppo4.ition 01 two anea4. being. cOMi'dened bV the Iowa C itV CouncU., The new C~aniItJpace" buiLdin~ being. con4.idened wouLd add to m~ aLtteadv oven bunnened pnopent~ tax.1 Since thi4. buUding. wouL"d. hou4.e cuLtunaL, con{enence and netaiL 4.pace, Let tho4.e who ane the buUden4. bean the CMt 01 the buUdin9:;., An "onLv" $61 in new pnopentv taxe4. 01 an avena~e home 01 $90,000 a4.4.e4.4.ed vaLue doe4.n't cLanilv the lact that we ane p'avin~ aLL 01 the othen ffeanLv inCnea4.M in jnopentil taxe4..1 )lJine have ni4.en evenV vean 4.ince 1 Lived hene f~om 195~~ And it appean4. that it wiLL continue with that tttend with continued 4.pending.., The othen i4.4.ue i4. about the p04.4.ibLiLitV 01 pnop'ent~ taxe4. pav- ing. Ion the new waten pLant.1 ALL waten U4.ett4. 4.houLd 4.hane in the CMt.! 1 am in !avon o! then.ew watett pLant but pnopent~ ownen4. 4.houLdn't bean the totaL CMt.' But that i4. wnene fjOU fig.une the monev can come !nom 4.0 4.ock it to U4. and we have no neCOUMe but to paV it when it i4. aMeMed.1 1 am a pnopentv ownen Living. on a 4.maLL lixed income.' The con- tinuaL incnea4.e4. in mv pnopentv taxation and Ion g.ood4. and 4.en- ViCM i4. about to lonce me out 01 mff home.' 1 have .!!:E. l!!!:i. inCneMe4. ~e11L~ Like empLoffee4. 01 countVI citfj and 4.tate g.ovennment4. a4. we a4. the ~nivate job 4.ecton~ PLu4. the heltv 4.aLanie4. paid to empLoveM and 4.tall ot the Univen4.itv ot Iowa,' The bottom Line: Some o{ U4., at Lea4.t, need to bave Vou "hoLd the Line on 4.pendLng." and g.ive U4. 4.ome neLiel {nom Lncnea4.ed ?,nopentv taxation~ It wouLd be depLonabLe to have to join the weLfane noLL4..1 1 hat C04.t4. in taxation aL4.o,' (;. [, \1 ~ f'n I 1 ~ I I I : I , ~: ' 'I'. I 'I jl " :'1111 ~",,,,,,, .., ;1' ;1 Y OUM tnuLVI fJ1rf;!::;z c.veLvn 1.1 K naL ~g3 o . ""'''1 : 1"0""',' " .' . '-"''''').''/ "," '\ ., ,., ~' "" . . . i : 0:: .t::....,.'.~.,. . O,~.. , .. 1;)2 '1 , ) , : I, " I , I I I '(., I' I'. 1 :~II' , I 0j" " " " r ,I, L_.."\. ~C<:_ , ,,0. ~:: ; ': ..' , . :. '~.~t: \',. . '" . , :\: ,t>. . , .. " ... "~1! ~ "N... " . ','_'" ~.:'.."..'_" '.. ~o _. . ,.O.,_._.~:..N~....~...... ,...~"".:" ~,,"",~';,' .,':.::---,.~J.: .'. ,.'.-.'. January 31, 1994 Mayor Susan Horowitz 1129 Kirkwood Avenue Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Dear Madam Mayor: My letter to you is in response to the January 10, 1994 memorandwn and subsequent questionnaire dated January 24, 1994 relative to parking 011 Third Avenue north of Court Street. I was confused by the questionnaire dated January 24, 1994 asking if we favored installing "no parking any time" on the circle portion only of Third Avenue and not make :my changes on the "stem" pOliion of11tird Avenue. What I found confusing was that this proposal in no way responded to the problem (as communicated to ivII'. Brachtel by neighborhood members) that initiated the original questionnaire :md subsequent memorandum to yourself and the Council. I called Mr. Brachtel requesting cladfication of this questionnaire's inten!. Mr. Brachtel indicated that he had received a call from Ms. Kubby who infonned Mr. Brachtel that she had received "input" from the neighborhood in question and that the only problem that existed was that utility trucks were damaging the trees on the eircle p0l1ion of the cui-dc-sac due to parking congestion. Tllis is but a symptom of the overall problem taken out of context. I would like to know who Ms. Kubby received her input from, Did she conduct a poll canvasing the neighborhood for their "input" seeking to underst:md the situation before making her proposal or did she simply ask her friends and associates who live on the circle what their preference was? Regardless of her motivation, Ms, Kubby's proposal only serves to eliminate street parking on the court circles and leaves the immediate neighborhood problem and overall parking problem untouched. Under her proposal the most congested location, the "stem" immediately lit the enlly to the circle, remains unelumged. Mr. Braehtel seemeclto be in agreement that this proposal did not address our original eOllcems, The overall problem is that City High School currently lacks adequate onsite parking for its students and the immediate neighborhood problem is Ihal an IIdequllte barrier does not exist between City High and our neighborhood. I h:lve lived in this neighborhood for six years and I have never been aware of any parking problems dming that time until this current school year (with the exception of Ole rel:ttively few football home games in the fall). Apparently construction at City High has closed student parking forcing the students into sUlrounding neighborhoods, The elimination of p:lrking on Momingside Ddve and other streets has just eXllspemted tillS situation. Our court began ftlling up with high sch09) s~,dents fQr the first time Ihis past fall. The students fill every conceivable (and some th:ttilren.l) Pill'king S\laCe and then he:tq for school by the sh0l1est route avnilable; which is by trespassing through our properties aJld jumping the four tllOl ch:tin link flJnce separating the baek of our yards Irom City High properly. The I ",. . I' , 1 LfS'tt I I:' ~ - - :~ :-~~"Q , ._), .' '\ 1PJTl lJllsI LJ , , 1,\' k:y\ r:'i;'\' ' i.U:/i;::- _ <. : ~D .....,.,. . "J",I-,. ~~t..,':.'i._." . . ,'.... , ;',.1' i " .,",'.; -' '.' " ':"~~;"~\~ .' iI, , t>. ,'. " .... "'.' ", . '~.. '....;: ~ . " . , .;., . " ' . . ........:..~.;;.:..'.c......:::.:.~~_.~"'......,~..".."''';..,.;".;.......:..,''":".,.,._, ."., "";.,.":".,".,_...'....."'....,.,..,~-"_.,.,._.-..~..::,,. - .......... . , ' '. ;,,,;~~,,, _'~. ,; ~ .., .::..,L,..-:.. _.~,~. ~,;.., .:~~._:~b;'~':'.__~~~:.::~.... .J ! ...~- .....,... .L ! -,. '\ \ " ',' . , ~':r"'\ , I " I I I' , i II , :~:: ! , I " ! ' ' : ! "I" 0-"/. , ilL ~~-"'; ~~. \ I f!l I;' ' . ,I :~'::I l_........ ,,Co . . ,.....~_ _ ........ _.1.; _., .,.. only time I have seen students walk down and around the Com1 Street sidewalks to City High was when the studenl~ were asked not to trespass. A conple of the neighborhood properties h,we "cow paths" from the tront to the rear of their yards from multiple daily intrusions. The situation has improved temporarily when complaints were lodged with City High administrators; but soon reverted to the condition previously described. Whcn I spoke to tile Iowa City Police about the trespassing, I was told tilat the students were in our yards for such a short time that there was nothing that they could do about it (I hope they don't take the same attitude toward house burglars who are there for only a short time). The students enter the yards at the same times each day Monday lhrough Friday so I don't think they would be tilat hard to fmd by the police if they so desired. Our court is so ciogged that garbage trucks camlOt adequately negotiate the circles (hence the damage to trees on the circle) and I doubt that emergency vehicles have safe egress. In summary, we have been invaded by high school students and to date the only means of resolution available (or seriously considcred) has been to eliminate or limit the parking on our the courts. Ms. Kubby's proposal would not eliminate tile congestion, tile trespassing nor tile safely issucs, Unfortunately, the action recommended in the January 10,1994 memorandum severely curtails our personal flexibility and choice by imposing parking restrictions on us. This problem is directly attributable to City High (and therefore the City) and they should be held responsible for a fair resolution without further imposition upon the surrounding neighborhoods. The most obvious solution would be to provide adequate parking on their own grounds, something I understand may be in the works. Our com1s' immediate problem would be resolved by an adequate barrier separating our neighborhood from City High proper~'. I believe that if a six foot fence existed instead of the easily crossed four foot fence, we would have few, if any students parking in our court. An adequate baJl'ier would eliminate the easy access through our properties and our court would quickly lose its parking appeal. Restricting the parking north of Courl Street lVould only move the students south of Court on Third Avenue, Students nolV park on Second and Tltird Avenues south of Com'! Street and then walk up our courl, trespass through our properties and jump Ule fence. Therefore, the OIiginlll memorandum as proposed will not he effective lInd will just move the problem further out inlo the surrounding neighborhoods, I expect if these PHl'king restrictions are imposed, the City will soon be considering restricting parking south of Com'! Street on Third Avenue as the displaced students from our courts create furtiler parking problems there. Already two-way lr:lflic has become difficult on Third Avenue south of Court Street during school hours; and these restIictions will just exasperate that situlItion, I urge you and the Council to not favorably consider Ms. Kubby's proposal as it is not responsive nor applicable to the problem. I must also urge you to address the actual problem illld not jusl Ule symploms as they spread out fi'om City High as parking is systematically restricted and eliminated, I hllvc a velY diftlcult time accepting that the solution 10 being imposed upon and trespassed upon by the students is to have my personal freedom further curtniled by parking restrictions. Tltis problem will exist nine months a year only on Mondays t1u'ough Fddays from 8 AM to 4 PM, but by either of the proposals my option illr street parking in front of my house on the circle will be eliminated twelve "1l_ .--.... ~~ -. ~. 0',~'1\'-;'" '(' ,I , , f" 'I I , ! i I j I ~ ! i II 'i9'i "\~:5 ' rei., ,', i '. l' 'l '. I I I , " j " I " ,>1 , ',.I " , I , ~ ,; .I , " (7~ ,3;.\\' \ ' \~ y.... ';'~r I ~ --~ 'niC~ ,I ,I 'j months a year, seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day. This does not seem like a reasonable response, although it is certainly less expensive than solving the overall problem. While I o~iect to any further restrictions, if they must be imposed, I see no reason why an 8 AiVf to 5 PM Monday tlrrough Friday (September to June) restriction would not be an adequate response in view of our histOlY of no previous parking problems prior to this school year. If City High is in the process of increasing their onsite parking capacity, then this problem could goaway\vithout the need for parking restrictions and shouid so be considered prior to taking away or restricting our street parking, Once imposed, I doubt restrictions would ever be revoked; even if City High later expands their parking as it could not be demonstrated then if the resl1ictions were still required to prevent the neighborhood problem from recuning. .. I ,.,.,. , " While street parking is ciearly within the domain of the Council, perhaps City High parking and perimeter property baniers are, not. If this is 1he case, then I would suggest that a liaison should exist or be created between the Council and the other goveming body (presumably the school board) so that a unified, cohesive solution to the overall parking problem can be found rather than a fragmented, "react-to-the-cuU'ent-problem-location" response considered to date. Please find enclosed a copy of my letter to Mr. Brachtel which accompanied the original questionnaire I received. I have copied no other members of the Council. If you think it appropriate, I would ask you to share my letter with the other members of the Council. , I I , I 'I Encl. I , !: ' I ',-" ':""'.,',,..; ''<wmM ~ :2 I .2;......' , .:' ."",,,,:',,",>-.'..',>i.' I"~,. i'.'.--, "','~,::,~;"\'~:~':': ":L::,,:,,::,~~,;!t))\ ' .' 'f 2'1 , ,'. "'1""";'":::''', :1""," 'i,',' ,,' 0' . ,,'.' ,,is''' 1','\ ,. I '.~ """..'::::..1, ,,' . ::. "~- ..:.:/' , ,.... ,c",~'"i,' " ' .... . ."-" , ,\ .-.\ \1 , \ .,.tI T" ;, I I I ! i I i ! I i II . I~:; ~ ~ , ~~~ tri, L_~.~ :t o 0, ,'I ':~ j' " '. . ',~t ;'-'-: ' . ", '.\ l.~, ' , .' . ...., t>. " ,;., " '." " '.! .... ~ ~ '" " . ~. I , ' ..........1.__.._.___...__, _.......:.....,.~,.,....,C.;.::..,'i'.. .,.; "'"; ".:, ,_ _r....'.~ ", ',..'.', ,-,,, ,-,~..__.~"".",,\I.~'+ .""...:......._.. c,__,__.__. , -,' November 22, 1993 James Brachtel T rallic Engineer City ofIowa City Dear Jim: I appreciate your help in trying to resolve the street congestion and private property trespassing problem in our neighborhood. As is evidenced by the recent stOlY and play in the paper relative to Momingside Drive, this is a difficult and sensitive subject in the area. After careful consideration I [rod that I cannot support the Question as posed; in fact I must strongly oppose it. Limiting parking to solve this problem is like cutting off your hand to lose weight on a diet. While the ultimate goal is achieved, the actual problem is not addressed. After discussing this with David Engelslad, he agrees that the problem and responsibility lies with City High and that other options should be pursued there. After David contacted the Dean of Students at City High, we noticed a marked decrease in cars parking in our neighborhood. Tllis has remained at a consistently lower level, although trespassing still occurs daily tlu'ough David's propel1y, only at a lower frequency. David and I also agreed that a reasonable compromise would be to iimit 8 to 5 parking to one or two hours whieh would eliminate the student parking without compromising the neighborhoods parking flexibility, But we aiso agree that taking this step would greatly reslIiet our personal tlexibility and freedom and would be most unfOl1Unate. There are two cottage businesscs located on Third Avenue nOlih of Court Street; Custom Window Treatmenls and Cavill Financial Management. While neither business has a high quantity 01' frequency of parking requirements, the Question as posed would create an unacceplable hardship to both. Finally, there is a resident located in the neighborhood whose hobby is making life difficult for the other neighbors, such as trying to have their cars ticketed and towed away. Limiting parking as posed by the Question would only exasperate this situation. Independent ofthe high school parking problem, there arc some parking concems in the neighborhood relative to genenll public safety that should be considered. Cutrently parking is prohibited on the west side ofThird Avenue from Court Street to Dunlap Court. This prohibition should be extended on tile west side ofThird Avenue from Dunlap Coul1to lhe start of the cuI.de-sac, When cars arc parked on both sides of Third Avenue along this area, it could be impossiblt: for a fire truck to pass unimpeded. Therc is adequate radius and street width to comlbrtably park cars on lite cuI-dc-sac. I believe that a similar situation occurs on Dunlap Court and Ihat a aile side resldction may be prudent. ',~." ~il.f .. ., '" I"" is ~ ~ 6. I l; i" '10 !\~ ,'10; ",'. '.' , '~I;;I:fX'~': ':x~';':r;:-! . ,-,'.\,;;;'...-/':;>.' .- ," i : ~<<~;\, , \\ ' I would like to offer a final comment on the questionnaire. In discussing this with Vatlous residents in the area, it became appat'cnt that those on Third Avenue were unaware that a similar questionnaire had been sent to those on Dunlap Court, and vice versa, The awareness that a parking prohibition was being considered on both courts concurrently lead to a different reaction to the original question, , ,. '~:'\;}ii ,',1 ,I , , Sincerely, Paul A. Thompson 3113rd Avenue ,CD I ,) \ ',1 ( "/ ~, ',' ::" " 1 I " , ":(~_- o~ ~u~ /:'"'' .nul=~:' ,,:','" ~_.>, ,.., ,Lfi~ ' :,1,',..,..,',..,',.,..,..."...,..,",..,..,',..,...,....,..,....,..I'" ":,'f"";< ,;-,:0;,:',;;:''' ,\'.~' '}Sv ;0', - ',I. 'j"".":,";'.:"'-":"'" )?<, " .. ';"":""''''.'':':''\''':','''1,.'~:i' " " , .~, ,; I i I , j " , , .'....: i -I j i , , , , , '< . 'j ~ ~i1 ,1,.' ....~. \ '. \ ," ,^ .~.~- I' " , , , ' I I ~ Ii , I Ill~ II : ,l,j " ," :;: "t~. -~ City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: January 10, 1994 To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: James Brachtel, Traffic Engineer Re: Parking Prohibition on Third Avenue " , I , , ,::,] ,I I , As directed by Section 23-16 of the Municipal Code of Iowa City, this is to advise you of the following action: ACTION: ',," Pursuant to Section 23-234 of the Municipal Code of Iowa City, the City Traffic Engineer will direct the installation of NO PARKING ANY TIME on the west side of Third Avenue from its intersection with Dunlap Court to and including the cul-de-sac, and NO PARKING 8 AM TO 5 PM MONDAY- FRIDAY on the east side of Third Avenue from its intersection with Court Street north to the beginning of the cul-de-sac. These signs will be posted on or shortly after January 17, 1994. COMMENT: This action is being taken after the completion of a postcard survey. The survey was sent to all addresses on the affected portion of Third Avenue. Seven of the nine questionnaires were returned, with four respondents favoring and three opposing the proposed prohibitions. blJl1lrdava Vh\OI'AlI3 VItIOI ~1U313 A,.lI:) CZ :~ Hd 0 IINr ~6 (Etil d , ' ,,) 'i11J -1 " .'I!" ""_.~"""-"" . '." :;,.,......,'. J, )' , "~"'" ...,,'."',. v' '..,',' ""'I""'''"'' " I, +,' ;:,:0:;':0/;,",:; Ii: ::"\' ""'.~ 5':"~' '0"': ~~>: .,;''-'''.~ . . ,'.":.': ...., '.,' ,I,' .::)';' ". .' ,',' .' .~ ''''". ' ".;:~,:,~,. \;'~"f',:~?: ! ,I " l---- .IV 7 I,",' "'u-'-" . ,i" '. .i ." "! i ,: ",' ~ January 24, 1994 ....,..,.. :,1 , .., ; " , """'\:&,. CITY OF IOWA CITY ,',' Dear Resident: , "i At its January 18th meeting, the City Council reviewed the attached recommendation for changing the parking prohibitions on Third Avenue. The City Council indicated it might be more appropriate to limit parking only on the circle portion of Third Avenue and not make changes on the "stem" portion of Third Avenue. This questionnaire is being sent to you to advise you of the City Council's action. Please indicate your preference by answering question #1 below. There is space at the bottom for any comments you wish to make. The comment section below is small, so if you should have additional comments or questions, please don't hesitate to call me at 356-5191. It would be appreciated if the questionnaire would be returned by February 1st, so that this matter may be resolved. , i , , I 1';\ """ ~:.' . " t " r~i '\ 1 Sincerely yours. i(twJJa('~! ':ra:mes Brachtel Traffic Engineer * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * .", :'! Question #l ~ I ' Do you favor installing NO PARKING ANY TIME on the circle portion only of Third Avenue? ! " . : I~: : I, I , ',\ ~'j '~ l~' II; f.. -, I"~ " '-t9'i '. . I , " ,\t_~ ( "" --r___ ~'J . .'" rj:;_ ,,::: 0." .."'.,.,'. .' :...'.., ~' f'." ~.'<. :), ',',"'",."..."",..,..,..,..,.,, , ".' ,._";::,,-,,,':'.':' ,', '\ . ' " ':/ ,," ~,\~; , " .' '." ..'1'::,:: ""'!\;""(:,',,";"', i5 ....,i , Jo;. ':"'"''<'''1''''''' ':. ...., ~ ':";:';,:;:}/..,r . . , ~,C.'..'.:'i .~, . .: ,..... ' "', _',I,: . ,.;'~< ..\.; .,. , "t', ,', , , ~:~ ,'\!;;. .' ." "." '.' .....';,'....... , '..i ...,'J~:"" ," .' "\-':.\.',. '~,'-. '., . .1 "~~' . I " ' '. -:\ '~ ' , t...'.. ',", ,'. ';~:/:G:;'~"~:~~'~~"~~'~':iJ.:~~j~~,li~l~~{~j~.~,~";"J'l~~~L~';:;-.'..,-, ,"!\~ !~ M MMS CONSULTANTS, INC. M 1917 S. GILBERT ST. · IOWA CITY · IOWA 52240-4363 OFFICE: 319.351-8282 FAX: (319) 351-8476 !I w a J f- U W f- I U a ~ -, w ~ ~ U III o Z ~ J l!l Z Z Z ~ J ~ " r" .,~ ~."-.. l!l \ \ z - > w ~ > a I. J , I ' ' III I 0 ; Z ~ J , I I I l!l k z a I w w I Z '.r 0-,:':l l!l 1J z .. w " , , 01 -, i; ti: ~, I' ~\ P' '.. ,'~'..' ,- , ' , ..' , , I ';. :'~..:L~,;_:".,..~_; , - .':. . , - . , ," . ' .' . " '.' " . . :..'~;~.,,;i.'~i~~"':"_~.;,',,,,.;..~..;......u.'.a;";,.U'I".~'..",",,,,w.;"o..';:';'':I'~'.l..'''-;"~>-',"",-",~~_"..................."".....-,.;.L..__,_,._:_,_ Robort O. Mlckolson Larry R. Schnlll]or Christopher M. Stephan Glenn D. Malsner Dennis J. Keitel Psul V. Anderson Dean E. Beranek L.S. L,A, P.E. L.S. & P.E. P.E. P.E. L.S. fEl;RlJARY I~, 1~.4 MAYtR 6UGAN H6RONITZ c.lTY OF ION A c.lTY c.lVlc. teNTER 410 EA6T WA6HIN0TON 6TREET ION A c.lTY, ION A ?2.Z40 , HONlIRAeu: MAYVR HOROWITZ: LA6T EVENIN0 DLRIN0 YOUR 6TATE OF THE' c..ITY MESSAEe, YOU c-HALLEN6ED THE IONA t-ITY W6INEes , I~ II u;MMUNITY TO IOor YOUR HORN ............. €) I HAD f;EEN DEf>ATIN0 THE 610NIFlc.ANa: OF OUR (MM6 tUNSLLTANT6, INC,) tUNTRIMION TONARP THE LPDATE OF THE IONA RIVER c-oRRIDOR PLANi Mi . . 61Na: YOU ASKED FVR IT, MM6 UIN6lLTANT6, INC,. IS PROW TO HAVE DONATED OVER $4000.00 WORTH (if PROFE.%IONAL DE61eN GERVIc.E6 AND MATERIALS IN THE PREPARATION OF THE PLAN AND RELATED DOc-LMENTS. " I HAD Nor PREVICiUSL Y tUN61DERED MAKIN0 THI6 INFliRMATION PLJr;L1C,i J;EC..AU6E THERE WERE MANY OTHERS WHO ALSO C,ONTRIMED A LOT OF TIME AND EfFORT TOWAf<f) THIS WORTHY PROJ:c.T. " y ~11TED MM6 c.oN6lLTANTSi INC, LARRY R Gc-HNIIT~, PRE6 'lis- · . ,"" .,:;7 .,..., .,/""p,.,..,..,.", ,j,','-;;:~~""'.\;-"'," ,',' \ ' .' """~; 5 ,'10: ~ ; ~ . ' "''',''_'' ",.r, ", , _ ~,1. ~G~'--,",~'~ _...~~ ,.=-~=:. ~~8 I' ," ": .. ,.,.-l' I I I ' . ': 1 , .:1 , ' , , .. J ~i"':".c;:":2:,~:,:,"t::"':'i:'-'''''';';';1/::::G,";t:::::.,i:,:,:'LCiJ;::';,:::",;::;::'::;;..,; ('CO ":"';' C;",',""",,. --" i . ......~'~'""' I FILEE \\ .. ! j 94 FEB 23 PM~1 ~~V;; M' \ "'f i I CITY ClERI\') ) , ! i:l 4' ti1 JilWA CIalY,IOWA ,Ii, ,(' 7' =L,. D ' ~ I l.t::;:; ~;,?t ~w~~ I l f' · /:Ii d- 01",...,.. U U IIwiJ; I, I ,#::t~~~~1 !1,.t;';"A.e4hJi~',.,e~ ' II '1;"-</k w.J ~ /,.//.. I !',I.4.:651i-7f'1'.f. / ;d I J,j ttl-;/i,A ~ ~~ ru"- ~ t i ~ I~ ;6- ~,n: ,J" /. eM" , Ii J. fi;.$. Ji/dt",..-,,:, r, "" f.,M I 1 '/,biWfj.;JI~""~~" ~ ~\, iej ",~/fH/fI"::::: I H i;"'" '" .~vCt-it/ #u:.c0"'....,/J/!.#<",,1 ~J [ r (,4 i4,.,.,"""'Yi). ~1;O1. .'u"*'! I [,I, I~ r;t;'7t< <~ "1~''':7'~ I j ':"" 'J'M ';1" >h ~~<< ~ .,..;~ L,ilc~;;~::~,ljifLu.~o"c.c""."".J 't' 4< /I~";d~,, ,~ j ,<' , ' -:-'~':'] , I I .. ! .1 ,1 \ ", ( I .: , I , I I Ilr; I I J ~",y, I.._-,.:J o "0 ..;:"""., ::, ~/,;,:<" "-,~.:.i'~:"';.i:.,.',,:l;';'!': '\', '. . .,..,., ',?'S',' lo"'{; , , .. "":, ",' ,I, , , , ~ '.' \ t . . . ' '. I , ~~ , '., f.... " . ~ "" '/. " . ',.I" " I .. '. ......,..,..-.,..1\" &~~;.:,'~ ":,' '~,;"Y':.I' 'J ~ . . .,',-' i..... ":..'::, ~ ... '". ", ':~'t: ",-,.' , , po' '. . , ',\ ::. ,....:.;;.;..~.......~:......,~,.l;.,~::..;;.~,:.;..:.:]~'\o.~,.~.:.i~;...,,,:.:,; ,,' :':"".I'-:~_M":':"';"~'-'~~_'~_' _. ._..'....-_._..__ _ _~.___....__,_.~t.=.:lt.~..t._~.. ""'..'. ..._,_:':>'_.L..:.;~r."~.....,,......-.._~,......______ . ..! &~\~ ) , , . ~~!?s~~n~~~~~~;~~ ~!.~~~~~~~~~!~~50 ~ PHONE: 319-364~0235 FAX: 319-364-9614 . , February 22, 1994 REF: ,IM-BO-6(194)240--13-52 Johnson County 94-M-156 , i I I -, The Honorable Darrel G. Courtney, Mayor 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 SUBJECT: 1-80 Resurfacing Dear Mayor Courtney: This is official notification to your City Council that the Iowa Department of Transportation proposes 'to let a project for ACC resurfacing of 1-80 within Johnson County from Iowa 965 easterly to approximately 1.5 miles east of Iowa 1 on July 12, 1994. A part of said project lies within the City of Iowa City and extends from the city's west to east corporation line. The work will be done in accord wi th the current Form 810034 "Agreement for ' ~ Primary Road Extension Maintenance and Operation". Project costs will be paid from the Primary Road Fund and no charges will be made against the city. The project is proposed for construction during 1994. Resident Engineer, Ken Vanna, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, telephone number 319-365- 6986, will advise you of the contractor's proposed schedule when the information is available. '-'-..-! , ; "-';; ):,",,7"' r , ,\: '-'-",\ 1\\ ~ ~,:':~-~' : r '1 f:, We would appreciate this project notification being included on your next City Council meeting agenda as a matter of information for the Council members. If you have any questions concerning the work involved, please contact this office as soon as possible in order to expedite any possible changes. ~ Sincerely, <r /1; ~ ('J. r;v') ~~o 7 ,"", ::r: f.5- . ,- . n · i 0.. .-l~ .~ Ul- M. F. Burr, P.E. .....,\ ~ )-U' District Engineer .....-. I- ~ ~FB/.fA1 u:;r: cc: 1"d Fawia!s, Offi ce of Ri ght of Way, IDOT, Ames, IA 50010 ~m Phinney, Resident Maintenance Engineer, lOOT Ken Vanna, Resident Construction Engineer, lOOT 5455 Kirkwood' Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 ,I I I I I ~ : , I I I I k. , l'i ~ , i , I i i ~~ ~ 'ii1 ,,(-~-- -- ~~ ,. ".-'.' .,.. ,','_.'.L,'-',,','~" ,,: 0")' ,,'" . '"1',',.":',,,,. . .", -" '- '.~ ')5" \:1 tt. . '. .... ",' ~:"':~;':.V' t\ . t ~1 " 'I .,~ ..j' >- , " '. , "'.' ':>."\". ,,'. ,', ,,,r,\I' '~.' . ":.', '~', '.. '.1 / " ''''a ,"':. ". "~..." , ,~, , I ~ ,I.., ,.. . , . ..::__~~_,~':":""~',;"~:~""","".~~"'...a~"'.':""""1:";'l.."~~:~"u:,,,"-.~~';J;"~':'~~;':." '.Li'I'::I,;:,,,"I~.,':;'_,, !~'~"i"~'i~,~''-H;t''';:.'''''''''''''J'_''''''~_' . , "',, ",' ,.:"",/. ,: >' ,,'-,' ',' -"'J": '. ~~:"';I.".L':_'.\..J;"'''~;:'''','...1:~~~......,----.:....:.......:.:.:_,." '; ..,.".-;~~~0~~~5/~"994 13: 51 1-319-335-2637 )3~\!.) UI SCHOOL OF MJSIC PAGE 02 February 25,1994 ~ Mayor Susan Horowitz City of Iowa City Civic Center Dear Mayor Horowitz: I was snmned to learn that C ncilor Kubby's proposal to eKtend city health care benefits to same- sex couples was not instantly nd unanimously approved, The City Council's hesitation n this proposal has alarmed and confused the lesbian, gay, and bisexual community, their ( "lies, and their friends. Since the passage of the human rights OJ:dinance in the mid. 70s, we ad belleved that this was a knowledgeable and humane community with a city government that w uld only be limited in the fullest ell:lension of equal protection and benefits under the law by stat or federal legislation which superseded it. The recent hedging in this ma er has tainted this view, and the "reasons" given so far for this hesitation are an awkward an embarrassingly thin veil covering the homophobia to which they give effecl. We expected our ity council to respond with enthusiasm to this measure and others like it, looking toward ways t transcend possible hurdles, Instead it seemed as if there was inunediate discomfort with th proposal followed by a scr4mble to look for ways to get out of it. Categorizing the proposal as organized labor mailer was particularly sad. Not only because it implied that ensuring fundam ntal human rights should be viewed as a perquisite, but because it created the horrific possibility hat these basic rights could be used as a bargainIng chip to exchange for some other employee ben t. Basing approval of the propo on cost estimates is equally offensive, unless, of course, the city is planning a strategy to empl only people who are not married or not likely to marry, The assumptions brought by these nd similar questions are long reaching and insulting, and indicate that some must believe that pIe who have romantic commitments with members of the same sex are less ethical and more give to sham than heterosexuals, It is ludicrous that anyone would assume that one would feign a Same-sex domestic plll1nership any more than thinking another would many a member of the pposile sex just to receive these benefits, The City ofJowa City has an Opted ordinance which bans dlstTImination in housing, employment, and credit on the basis of sexual orientation. Failure to provide equivalent benefits to an employee whose spouse is member of the same sell: violates the spirit of that ordinance if nOt its letter. It betrays lesbian, ga . or bisell:ual citizens who believed by virtue of that ordinance that Iowa City is a safe and affinnl g community in which to live, Parity in employee benefits is uivalcntto "special treatment" only when those whose benefits are in question are seen as less de rving, The failure of this city council to Swiftlr and enthusiastically adopt this pro sal will convince the lesbian, gay, and bisell:ua community lhat their service to this city is Jess alued than that of their helerosexual peer.;, I pray thatlhis is not the mess' c you choose to send. o j~ r I .~~ \ " ~ , , , : r I i , : i I I ! , ~~ : i' '. ! i , , ! I . \, ~j ona Shaw 1958 Broadway, Apt. A-4 Iowa City, Iowa 52240 "~t: t' ~('l i..J ...;. ~8~ is .,ld. ("""""""" " 0 ' , '~. ." __.~~ _1 -. 0), ',',;'; . " ~,' " " '...a.. .' "J,"\ ~ - ..,.,.'" .:'.,....,. "1 ' :.'Ii; ,:'-'1 ,', , ,.-.( " ~_.-".....!,..-~ , ...:..~ . .. ,..... ,', t>. , . . ~ . J . , '.' ".," ., .....,... ;~"<o;I.,. ~ '" :::;,..__~:.;.~~;;.:~..;~~_,J.~,.:~L~:~~~~;~dL:t,~..~.~~..~_~.~,,~.'.. . ,. . . ',' , . ,". . . " '., ' . ' '" __.:..,:..~~,_,~":"......,,,,,.,,,,~~:.::~i,;;j'~).:<';';:'--):"l- -.'.;:"'-'c',;;:;~.~- .:.'t,;"~....~:,:'':'':':.,Ji':'''..i=.~..-.,,_,......~.''::__---:.-':'':-...::..~._.,:. . 3~/~ ~ . '-- I ,..---..,..... ,L- -', c \ \! ' , 'l J: . ,!. I I I --'\..-. ,:G';"':100 , "i :_- -- Bri,:<.n J. ~Jitzk.. 1011 N. Summi t St. Iowa City, Iowa 52245 hI.: 354-7861 (7:00-10:30 p.m.) 22 Feb 1994 Dr. Jim Throgmorton 1026 Fri..ndly Av... Iowa Ci ty, IA 52240 An ';)pen l..tt..r to all memb..r:, of th.. Ci ty Counci 1. D..ar ,Jim, A sequence of ..vents concerning th.. new water treatment plant seems to have been inexorably s..t in motion, and as a homeowner and geologist I have som.. concerns about government process in contract issues. I certainly understand the reasons and necessity for a new water treatment faci! ity. (The ag-chemical users and deal ers have compromi sed our :,tate's ~'Jater qual i ty, but it seems clear that they aren't going to shar.. in the cost -- private profits, social ized costs.) However, I'm concerned over how to get the job done in the most fiscally responsible manner fall o~~i n9 full commun i ty input. How do we know that the $2.4 mil I ion design contract recently awarded to H.R. Green by the Council was a competitive price? What assurance that the proposed $46.5 mill ion pricetag quoted by Green is competitive and real istic? State and federal contracts require competitive bidding. What bid process has the city used to guarantee the r..sidents of Iowa City that our money is being spent in the most cost-effect i ve manner? Why were local (Jowa City or Johnson County) engineering firms apparently not considered in the design contract, and how was H.R. Green chosen as the recipient? Once a specific plan is decided, will H.R. Green automatically be awarded a non-competitive contract? These questions need to be carefully considered, and explanations should be provided to all residents. Literally mill ions of dollars may be involved over the issue of competitive bidding. (Of course, further evaluation of the specific design may save additional money.) Competition is the primary mechanism in our American free market economy to assure fair prices to the consumer of any service or product. As it stands right now, I, along with others, feel no assurance that H.R. Green's pricetag is going to be the best it can be for Iowa City. Without competi tive bidding, they have no need to do so. It's up to the Council and City staff to be fiscally responsible -- when private profits are involved, why would a non-competitive awardee choose to save our money? As a geologist with over fifteen years of professional experience in the hydrogeology of ~astern Iowa, I further have some concerns over the course of investigation and performance during the ~g, _: U~. -,-- ~- )"'..' ,Q,,> " ~' '. .,. "-. .",," ..".....",'., ;.:",i" . \ ,--~, ..:,' ,'. ' -- ",. I 'I' ',",.. '. ,.' , '". 'J t;.\ "" 'V,) 0,'" " - , '. .~. ". "; " I ... '. ~:;', ' ,. . ." t>. , .~, "','.:-, . ~ " ~. '~":::;:':~-L;-:L:',~,.;J,";,~..'~~~;:;:k':~~;';:':'~:'>C:~'" :"'i.,;.~~:.~;~~~~~~~j~._,:~~\;.":::_ .' . , , , , , ' , -. ... - "."~:'_~__~':'~':'-_""""'~":;;"';:""'_.'O",~\..-",.!t~.'LV""",=~~;,.''':j""I.,;_.."...~.",...".....:""'-.~."";'.~~... . " 'J " ,', ~ i I , I 1 $500,000 t.hree-year st.udy contract. awarded t.o H.R. Green. However, I'm in a predicament with respect t.o my professional position as a geologist for the Iowa DNR-Geological Survey Bureau. It may be considered a possible confl ict for me as a stat.e employee to evaluate the performance of a private consulting firm outside of a state contract situation. Therefore, my communications must be considered only within the context of my rights as a private citizen. I will not document my concerns regarding the three-year study in writing, but I will an~~~er any private questions that you may ~'Jish to asK. Plea-:,e feel free to cal I me at home and discuss any specifics. Although I cannot directly involve my colleagues, I can fairly state that certain opinions concerning performance are shared by almost all of them. I further wish to state that. I have nothing personal for or against H.R. Green as a consultant or contractor, and one of my close personal friends is employed by them. Therefore, I would appreciate it. if you would hold any perceived criticisms in confidence. My intentions are to facil itate infl~r'med decision making, ,and my offer i~, in the spirit ':1f civic responsibil ity. " i The taxpayers and water-users of Iowa City require full accountabil ity, particularly when large contracts are awarded. Please consider the quest.ions I have asKed, especially with respect. to competitive bid process. In addition, please give serious consideration to outside reviews of any proposed const.ruction budgets by an independent engineering consultant. Feel free to contact me at your convenience. I encourage cont i nu i ng publ i c di scourse on all budgetary aspects c,f a neVJ water treatment plant.. Thank you for >'our plJbl ic service. @ I .~~ .,~' c-' \ " ~ ~ ,r \ , ' Sincere 1>', cklq fA. Brian J. WitzKe (Ph.D. Geology) (Research Geologist, Iowa DNR) (Adj. Assto Prof., Univ. Iowa, Dept. Geolog>') ~ P.S. I'm intrigued by many of your urbaB planning ideas, and I appreciate your progressive views and environmental conscience on the Council. Your ideas about higher density neighborhoods in some areas of the city are welcome additions to our city's planning ideas. However, there are some issues related to planning and constructio~ in steeply-ravined regions of the North Side and the HicKory Hill area, particularly increased run-off problems that may be associated with higher density developments, that I hope to get the chance to talK to you about sometime. Keep up the good work! I' I i i I I I I ~: I I'. : I ! I ~ '~ =~_.~._. .,-: o'~__"'4,: " - , ) , "0'" ,." ...."" ',' ,,'.' t,o, . ,"j '.." ".,', " .', ~,' ,.>' ..-, ...'......~. "\ ... "",.", '" , " '\ ~J' ." ", '1"" a ," '}c;.U:o':,:,., ,~, ..)' I ,-~ , "," i I I i Ii , j . -::~': ,l! " , , ~~ _ ''1 -1 i ,(,: I,) !i\' r I \: \ ~r"'" /. , , , I ~ ,,;Co_ WATER TREATMENT PLANT QUESTIONS ABOUT INTAKE LOCATION 1. Accidents on 1-80 One of the reasons cited for moving the water treatment plant is to avoid contamination due to an accidental spill from 1-80, This concern raises several questions about the proposed location of the new raw water intake. . The study shows the intake located right by the I -80 bridge abutment. Is it prudent to locate the intake so close to the highway? How far away upstream from 1-80 would be safe in the event of an accidental spill? . Is it prudent to locate the intake in a dam pool that lies under I-SO? In the event of a spill, how quickly will contamination be clear of the dam pool? How does this vary with the rate of flow in the Iowa River? . The section of I-SO adjacent to the proposed location of the intake and the new plant appears to be prone to accidents. What is the frequency of accidents or cars and trucks leaving the roadway in this section of I-SO? If this is the location of frequent accidents, is it prudent to site the intake and the plant so close to the highway? 2. Proximity to qunmes The proposed site for the intake is immediately downstream from two quarries: a sand and gravel quarry and a very large limestone quarry. . Is it prudent to site the intake just downstream from two quarries? . Do the quarries pump water into the Iowa River on a regular basis? If so, are there constituents in the pumped water that are cause for concern? . What storm water runoff controls are in place and monitored at the two quarries? What is known about the quantity and quality of stormwater runoff from these sites? . Is there a difference in the water quality of the Iowa River upstream and downstream from the quarries? How does the water quality vary during a rain storm? ','.: )'" e' 4,,\ ""<>"";" " !",' ;r1r : ."'.:. ,:LJ.,~~,' '.," "', . I:. 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