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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-11-14 Correspondence I ~ 1 -....= -~ ~~~;t:1lf: '-... ~IIIII~ .......~ CITY OF IOWA CITyL:11rJ MEMORANDUM Date: October 23, 2006 To: City Clerk From: Anissa Williams, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner oJP Re: Item for November 14, 2006 City Council meeting: Installation of HANDICAP PARKING in the 200 block of E. Washington Street. As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3B of the City Code, this is to advise the City Council of the following action. Action: Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A(10) of the City Code, a sign indicating HANDICAP PARKING $100 fine will be installed in the 200 block of E. Washington Street. The meter term will be 5 hours at $0.75/hour for meter number W237E. Comment: This action is a result of the handicapped parking space usage inventory conducted by the Parking Division. Mgr/agd/ha ndicap. washington. doc ~. .'....., r...~.. --Ii N C1") , i ~~ ~ (,) _.J :''> '-D :0: a 0 I! 1 -....= -~ ~~Wi!:'t~ ,,"=--.. .......'- ...,.... CITY OF IOWA CITY~ MEMORANDUM Date: October 24, 2006 To: City Clerk From: Anissa Williams, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner()J)f' Re: Item for November 14, 2006 City Council meeting: Install NO PARKING CORNER TO HERE sign on the west side of Upland Avenue 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 CORNER TO HERE sign on the west side of Upland Avenue approximately 75 feet south of the intersection with E. Court Street on the lot line between 2327 E. Court Street and 405 Center Avenue. Comment: This action is being taken because vehicles parking close to the intersection make it too narrow for buses/vehicles to turn onto Upland Avenue from E. Court Street. JCCOGadm/memfupland1 Q-24-06.doc Q ;.~~ c:~ :,....- N c~ --Il ;t"::.o ::r: ";"j '.-1 .J ,.--., ., .J -;.- " )> cD co Cl I ~ j ~~~~Ilf: ~:;'~""IIII" ....... CITY OF IOWA CITyt:::r] MEMORANDUM Date: October 19, 2006 To: City Clerk From: Kent Ralston, Acting Traffic Engineering Planner\9lt Re: Item for November 14, 2006 City Council meeting; replace (1) existing VALET PARKING ONLY 5 PM - 2 AM TOW AWAY ZONE sign located on the 200 block of S. Clinton Street in front of Joseph's restaurant with (1) VALET PARKING PASSENGER LOADING ZONE NO UNATTENDED VEHICLES 5 PM - 2AM TOW AWAY ZONE sign 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: Effective with the adoption of amendments to Chapter 9, "Passenger Loading Zones", replace (1) existing VALET PARKING ONLY 5 PM - 2 AM TOW AWAY ZONE sign located on the 200 block of South Clinton Street in front of Joseph's restaurant with (1) VALET PARKING PASSENGER LOADING ZONE NO UNATTENDED VEHICLES 5 PM - 2AM TOW AWAY ZONE sign. Comment: This action is being taken to make the Joseph's restaurant valet parking area consistent with changes to the City Code. jccogtplmemljosephs-valet.doc Q <:: C) )''"" -Tl - ) , .- W '.~,l ).:"'" , I (5 '-"-'"1 -j ~::::~ - .~ .. .J> .r:- '0"\ ._~---~--------~._~_._--,_._--~--~.,~_._-----_._--_._-._---------~--_.._._._,._-,.-,._~------ I ~ 1 ~~~!:Ilt -...:.... ..-.~ ....... CITY OF IOWA CITyL:] MEMORANDUM Date: October 19, 2006 To: City Clerk From: Kent Ralston, Acting Traffic Engineering Planner ~ Re: Item for November 14, 2006 City Council meeting; Install (1) VALET PARKING PASSENGER LOADING ZONE NO UNATTENDED VEHICLES 5 PM - 2AM TOW AWAY ZONE sign on the south travel lane of the 100 block of Washington Street in front of The Den. 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: Effective with the adoption of amendments to Chapter 9, "Passenger Loading Zones", install (1) VALET PARKING PASSENGER LOADING ZONE NO UNATTENDED VEHICLES 5 PM - 2 AM TOW AWAY ZONE sign on the south travel lane of the 100 block of Washington Street in front of The Den. Comment: This action is at the request of the owner of the 126 restaurant to allow valet parking in the downtown business district between 5 p.m. and 2 a.m. Both the Parking Director and JCCOG Director support this request. jccogtplmem/126valet.doc ,-...J 6 ~;l C:.:;.\ - ~....... ~~ () I.--=:) , (", 'll --.i .c--) ." -I UJ ". / -Cl :t"" . " ",-.., -.,.-) .~ - < /- .. )> J:::- 0"> r:m Marian Karr From: Steve Atkins Sent: Friday, October 13, 2006 9:06 AM To: Marian Karr Subiect: FW: Great Job by Two Iowa City Employees From: Dale Helling Sent: Friday, October 13, 20068:37 AM To: Terry Robinson; Marcia Klingaman Cc: Steve Atkins; Terry Trueblood; Karin Franklin SUbject: FW: Great Job by Two Iowa City Employees FYI & Good show! -Dale From: Jennifer Kardos [mailto:jennifecdrez@hotmail.comj Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 4:25 PM To: *City Council Cc: Marcia Klingaman; Terry Robinson Subject: Great Job by Two Iowa City Employees Dear City Council Members, As a reprehensive of the Glendale-Morningside Neighborhood, I want you to know that we have been very pleased with the coordinated efforts of Marcia Klingaman, Neighborhood Services Coordinator & Terry Robinson, Superintendent of Parks and Forestry. Through their efforts, some recent upgrades were made to some very old playground equipment in Glendale Park. Plans have also been make to clear a large overgrown area in the park. Since the new equipment has been installed, I personally have heard numerous enthusiastic responses from other neighbors at the progress. Until recently, many residents had felt the park had been neglected. The recent attention to the park has fostered neighborhood pride and renewed interest in the PIN grant program for continued improvements to the neighborhood. On recent trips to the Glendale Park, I have been meeting other neighbors in my neighborhood that I have not known before and it is nice to see the kids enjoying themselves. With the many young families now living in this area, we are very grateful our young children now have a safe, nearby place to play. We were able to accomplish this due to the always supportive and easy- to-work-with efforts of Marcia Klingaman. She acted as our liaison with Terry Robinson, who responded positively and promptly to our request after he surveyed the park. We feel both of these employees are great assets to our community and want to make sure they are recognized for their efforts. Sincerely, Jennifer Kardos 1503 Glendale Road Iowa City, IA 10/13/2006 ~ ~ Marian Karr From: John McKinstry [disciple.pastor@xwires.net] Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2006 1:12 PM To: 'City Council Subject: Inclusionary Housing Hello, I want to commend the Council for having the courage to start the process for an inclusionary housing ordinance whether or not Iowa City is joined by its neighbors in the process. Affordable dispersed housing is a major and complex challenge and we are a long way from the part of the process when we create the first affordable unit with an inclusionary ordinance, but the council is doing the just and responsible thing in getting started. Peace, John McKinstry 308 Ronalds Street 337-4181 (First Christian Church) 10/17/2006 r::n Marian Karr From: Simon F [theonetheycallsimon@gmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2006 3:53 PM To: 'City Council Subject: You want to know a big reason why? You want to know a big reason wh~ there has been a steady decline of non-student visits to downtown over the last few years? Parking. The choice between free parking at Coral Ridge, and facing a militia of parking attendants downtown, is easy. As someone who has lived in town for over 20 years, it sickens and saddens me to see the city micropersecuting its residents with such furver, $5 at a time, based on an unreasonable, and in many cases unavoidable, technicality. I know that you can imagine what it would be like if the City stationed dozens of police around town and issued hundreds and hundreds of speeding tickets, for 3, 4... 8 mph over the limit... Imagine the revenue for the city, then!! Whoa boy!! This of course would be preposterous, and highly unsustainable--as the citizens would be up in arms and DEMAND such action cease IMMEDIA TEL Y. For most would agree that filling the city coffers, based on such a technicality, at the expense of a palpable increase in community resentment, is a trade-off NOT worth being made. As most would also concede that it is nearly impossible to NOT go over the limit, if only by a few units, on a regular basis. How is it not the EXACT same thing with the parking tickets--most of which are for under 10 minutes past expiration? The practice of parking enforcement, as it stands now, is a racket. Pure and Simple. There is a SUBSTANTIAL increase in resentment that has been fostered over the last few years that is DIRECTLY correlated to the marked stepping-up of this practice of "Just park in the Ramp," it may be said--which is a fair enough argument. But the only incentive to doing so musn't be oI1e based exlusively on fear. Why should someone drive past plenty of free spots on the street, to go park several blocks away, simply because there may be a distant chance of exceeding, even by only 1 minute, the (you should be grateful you're even getting) one hour. So pretty-please, with a whopping dollup of whipped cream and exotic butterscotch on top for the sake of our downtown, raise the one hour limit, and lay-off the good folks of our bel~yed community. Please Seriously. Your driving people away (no pun intended) from downtown visits permanantly. Why should they come, with what they face? Thank You for reading, and I very much hope that you address these concerns that are shared by many many people. -Simon Willard 319-339-4814 10/17/2006 ~ ~ Marian Karr From: Anissa Williams Sent: Monday, October 30,2006 10:57 AM To: 'byung.yang@mchsi.com' Cc: Kathryn Johansen; 'City Council Subject: RE: Potential accidents by car parked on the shared lane in the Sunset Street Byung Yang, Your request was forwarded to me for response. I will investigate the sight distance from Penfro onto Sunset. I will get back to you in a week or so with the results. Thank you. Anissa Williams JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner 410 E. Washington St. Iowa City, IA 52240 (319) 356-5254 From: Kathryn Johansen Sent: Thursday, October 26,2006 1:32 PM To: Anissa Williams Subject: FW: Potential accidents by car parked on the shared lane in the Sunset Street Hi Anissa, An e-mail for your response. Pi ease cc Council on your reply. Thanks- Kathi From: Byung Yang [mailto:byung.yang@mchsi.com] Sent: Tuesday, October 24,20069:19 PM To: *City Council Subject: Potential accidents by car parked on the shared lane in the Sunset Street Dear IC council members, My name is Byung Yang who lives at 153 Penfro Drive, Iowa City. I am very much concerned with a potential accident by the cars parked on the shared lane in the Sunset Street. Every morning when I have to give my children ride to school (Horn School) I have found difficulties driving from Penfro Drive getting into the Sunset Street. Many cars parked on our street and shared lane in the Sunset Street interfere driver's viewing either direction of the street before crossing the street. Quite often people are driving fast in the Sunset Street. I don't think we can do anything much with such drivers. I have had almost accident, many times, due to blocking view by such parked cars, even though my shrewd driving. What is the best way we can do or you can do to avoid any potential accident in the street? Thanks in advance From your neighbor, Byung Yang 10/30/2006 ~ ~ Marian Karr From: Kathryn Johansen Sent: Friday, October 27,2006 9:02 AM To: .City Council Subject: FW: Court Hill Trail Project From: Daniel Scott Sent: Friday, October 27, 2006 8:52 AM To: 'connell@inavia.net' Cc: Ron Knoche Subject: RE: Court Hill Trail Project Mr. Connell, Thanks for your letter. It looks like the description in the CIP is not correct. The trail was not proposed to go all the way to Scott Park, because that part of the trail has already been completed. We will correct the description. Your concerns about the existing pedestrian bridge from Brookside to the park are valid. We will investigate the possibility of including your request into the scope of the proposed project and let you know the result. If the bridge is replaced, we will need construction easements from you and your neighbor, but I can talk to you more about that in the future. Thanks, Daniel Scott From: connell@inavia.net [mailto:connell@inavia.net] Sent: Thursday, October 26, 2006 8:36 PM To: *City Council Cc: Daniel Scott Subject: Court Hill Trail Project Dear City Council Members, Lat evening I attended a forum at Robert Lucas School regarding the pre-design of the proposed Court Hill Trail Project. The forum was facilitated by Daniel Scott, City Project Engineer. It was very informative, and all those in attendance appreciated the city's effort to collect input from the neighborhood. Relative to the proposed Court Hill Trail Project, please see page C-5 of The Capital Improvement Program (July 2006) http://www.icgoV,9rglfinanceld9cuments/finClnciCllpIClnlcClPita1imj:lr9yeSmClII.pdf The project is described as a ten-foot wide trail between Scott Park and Creekside Park and is budgeted at $505,676.00. According to Daniel Scott, the trail will not extend to Scott Park as described in the Capital Improvement Program. It will end in the far east-end of South Court Hill Park at the foot of the city-owned pedestrian path and bridge that extends from Brookside Drive down to the Park between my house and my neighbor's house (and over the South Branch of Ralston Creek). My 10/30/2006 ---~---_.._---------.- _._------_.__."_.~_.._- - .----.....----..,....----.--.---------.----- Page 2 of2 concern is this; the path into the park is not in very good shape. It is laid asphalt that has. over the years. warped and split due to weather and surface erosion. The path is also is very narrow. According to Daniel, there is nothing in the budget or the plan to improve the pedestrian pathway. The pathway runs alongside my property, and sadly, my wife and I have seen a number of accidents on the pathway due to the very poor surface conditions of the pathway. Many kids have taken a tumble on the path and many older folks, like me, have lost their footing on the loose surface. I ask that the Council find the funds to repair and maintain the existing pathway prior to spending the funds from the Capital Improvement Program. I also invite the council out to take a look at the pathway and see where in Court Hill Park the $500,000 Court Hill Trail Project will end. Perhaps the Council will consider improving the pathway to the proposed Court Hill Trail. Let me know when you are coming: I'll put the kettle on for tea and invite the neighbors. Michael Connell 2902 Brookside Drive Iowa City 10/30/2006 -- _._-"._-----,-,-----_.~--_.._---_._--_..- -----.-.,.------------....----.,---.-----.--.-.-.,------,--_._~_.~._,_.._.._.~---~,.__._.,--- Page 10f2 Marian Karr From: JanelleRettig@aol.com Sent: Thursday, October 26, 2006 12:35 PM To: 'City Council Subject: Budget Priorities - Transportation Dear City Council: As you are looking at the new Capitol Improvement Budget, I encourage you to look at some of the unfunded projects and missing links as they relate to pedestrian and bike trails and sidewalks. We have a growing trail system with major gaps. http://www)ccoQ.orQ/documents/trails_mapltr.pdf Last year areas without safe sidewalks, or multi-use trails were left on the unfunded list, including: Rochester Ave HWY 1 and 6 Riverside Drive and 921 These areas have no through sidewalks, making it unsafe for pedestrian and bicycle traffic to get around on some of our major roads. As new roads and multi-use sidewalk/trails are built, we don't even have sidewalks on older streets to tie it all together. For example North 1 st Ave and the Scott Blvd trail is wonderful, however, East Rochester is without a side walk (or narrow one) in long stretches to tie it together. The plan for a Court Hill trail to Creekside is wonderful, but according to the map circulated by City staff it doesn't tie into the Scott Blvd system. The Iowa River Trail is wonderful (albeit deteriorating on University property) and the Waterworks Trail is cool, however you can't get between them entirely safe. The new extension of Mormon Trek will tie the west and east, yet the connection to it from the north along Riverside and past the Airport is missing. The Sycamore Greenway Trail is peaceful, yet it starts at a Chain Link fence, with barb wire at the top prohibiting access to our park much of the time. If we want people to commute, exercise, recreate on our sidewalks and trails, we must make tying all of our system together a higher priority. If it's not already under consideration, we should be lobbying for our share of Safe Routes to Schools money and encouraging the state to also become even more involved in funding trails and safe routes for all pedestrians. httpJ/safetyJhw",dot.govls"feroutes/ I'm a supporter of trails period, but if you can't get from one place to another it really is unfortunate. I realize that our dreams are much larger than our budget, but I hope you will consider how the missing links in our trails/sidewalks system is beginning to add up and is holding us back and keeping people in cars when they could be easily walking, biking, or skating. I'm an example of the vehicle dependent culture: In the last 8 months, I would have ridden my bicycle to the airport for commission meetings and other events many times, however there is no safe route with the Hwy 6 and 1 and Riverside/g21 links missing. I have ridden on these roads at times and felt that my life was in jeopardy. But to do so at night after a late meeting is even too risky for me. This is just one example of many that could be found where missing links in our system cause people to drive. Thank you for your consideration "nd your wiliness to serve on City Council, J"nelle J"nelle Rettig 1 0/26/2006 Page 20f2 110 Shrader Rd Iowa City, IA 52245 319-338-0999 (phone/fax) i<3D_ellerettia@aol.com 10/26/2006 Cd >r) -;:; '::-.:: ",," -" < r~) October 18, 2006 City Council 410 E. Washington St. Iowa City, IA 52240 7-) '-:;:. ~ );> Dear Members of the City Council, My purpose for writing is to influence your stance on smoking in restaurants. I think that smoking should be banned from restaurants. There are still lots of restaurants that have a smoking section. Research indicates that smokers inhale 15% of cigarette smoke compared to 85% being inhaled by everyone else. I feel that the state ofIowa should consider banning smoking from restaurants in Iowa City because of second-hand smoke. Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) is a non-profit organization that encourage antismoking and ensure non-smokers rights. The information on ASH's website (http://ash.org/) provides people with the opportunity to read about second-hand smoking and what it does when people are exposed to it over a period of time. Second-hand smoke is smoke that is inhaled by non-smokers against their will. It is said that it causes health related issues such as allergies resulting in not enjoying a night out. Also, secondhand smoke causes new asthma cases each year, especially in children and food service workers are at risk of increasing their chances of getting lung cancer by 50%. By having smoke-free restaurants, people's health would be protected and they would not have to worry about not enjoying themselves while eating out. In addition, it would help create a healthier community and environment overall. I strongly urge you to consider this issue and take strong action against smoking in restaurants. It will help protect the rights and health of non-smokers and children who are otherwise unable to protect themselves. Sincerely, t!li1' ~ Kelli Craddick ""..J -~ <::~~ 0' o () ~ -, -'1 I. N _l -----"j '! I '-.1 3-"'" 3-: ,~J v;> o ~~:::. r"~\ ...<:..1... ' -.;...,......-- :~~~ C~~ p' co '\-t Lizeth Garcia 100 Mayflower Hall #525 Iowa City, IA 52242-1013 October 17,2006 N _J ~~ .~...\ .J i'.") '-::'~ ~ \.0 Ernest W. Lehman Mayor City ofIowa City 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear Ernest Lehman: My name is Lizeth Garcia, and I am a freshman student at the University ofIowa. I have been a member of J.E.L, Just Eliminate Lies for 3 years. J.E.L is a youth-led anti-tobacco movement focused on informing people on the issue. I am writing to discuss with you the issue of second-hand smoke in restaurants. Through J.E.L I have gained much knowledge about second-hand smoke. Currently there are some restaurants that are smoke-free, other are not. It would be ideal for Iowa City to have smoke-free restaurants. I have always been amazed at the idea that even though recently the surgeon general has stated that second-hand smoke can be dangerous to people's health, we still haven't done anything to keep people from having to inhale second hand smoke. Second Hand smoke is also very harming to the restaurants workers. Food service workers have a 50% greater risk of dying from lung cancer than the general population, in part, because of secondhand smoke exposure in the workplace. (htto://no-smoke.org) Workers are at risk, and so are the customers. 26,000 children develop asthma annually as a result of being exposed to secondhand smoke' This is also an important fact. Children do not have the choice to say whether they want smoking or non smoking area. (www.ieliowa.org) A lot of people say that being in the non smoking section of a restaurant is safe, but having just 30 minutes of exposure to secondhand smoke can reduce the ability of the heart to pump blood. Many people's lives are at risk when we have to be exposed to second hand smoke, when we just want to go to our favorite restaurant to eat. Ifwe have the chance of helping someone life a couple more years, why not help them do it? Sincerely, Lizeth Garcia J.E.L Executive Council Member/University ofIowa Student ~j40~~ ell cr" J ' : : I ,........._ October 18, 2006 ZGGS IDV -3 Pi'l I: 39 To whom it may concern: My name is Nick Thies and I am writing you in regards to the p~~ t~~,i~I~~~VA with secondhand smoke in the bars here in Iowa City. I obviously am a non-smoker and it is a choice that I have made for myself However, a choice that I do not have is whether or not I have to breathe in the secondhand smoke from those who make the choice to smoke. I agree that they should have the right to be able to choose whether or not they partake in smoking, but I think that people like myself should also have the right to not have to be exposed to the harmful substances that are in secondhand smoke, I am sure that you are aware of the effects of secondhand smoke, but I would like to reiterate them for you. To begin with, there are a lot of people who believe that there is nothing harmful about secondhand smoke. Of course this is untrue because there are at least 250 ingredients that make up the mixture that have been identified as carcinogens. As a result, people who do not smoke can develop heart disease and lung cancer just because they happened to breathe it in. Non-smokers increase their risk by 25-30 percent for getting heart disease and by 20-30 percent for getting lung cancer. Secondhand smoke can also cause the following: nasal sinus cancer, asthma, middle ear infections, sudden infant death syndrome, stroke, and can have bad effects on cognitive and behavioral development. Not only does it have negative health effects, but secondhand smoke also causes other problems that are not related to health. First, there is the problem that smoke just plain smells bad, When a person enters into a restaurant or bar the first thing he or she is ._.._--~'".__._,---_._._.__._---_._-----_._._._--------~--.... .,.---.---..------ - ._-~-_._----------~--~--_.__.__. greeted with is the smell of smoke. It almost makes a person want to turn around and go somewhere else, but there are not too many other options. Second, when a person comes home his or her clothes reek of smoke, thereby meaning that they need to be washed almost immediately in order to get the smell to completely go away. One thing I personally hate is when I come home and someone who does not know that I was just at the bars asks me ifI had just been smoking. It irritates me because I do not even like to be associated with something like that. I know that it would be downright impossible to get rid of smoking in bars and restaurants, and that is not what I am asking of you. All I ask is that there are more opportunities available for people in this city to go out and have a good time without having to be exposed to secondhand smoke. Like I said, people have the right to smoke, but it is the rights of the people who choose not to that often get overlooked. fI/..TI-h., I~~ G~ ~ _ e.. J.""'..G~ U '. 5Z2-1.. o :>n .J>~ ....-! C)"< =lC-~': .--<h.~ -- -.,.~ (.) ~~.~ ~-/'< ~ C-, '-0 :",,) c.... c"" 0-. c:) ,..,..,.: -n I W -0 3: ,-- eTl \_J [;:] Dear City Council Members, I am writhing you on the issue of the Railroad tracks that run through this city. After doing some research I have found that the reason that the trains must sound their horns is because of a lack of crossing signal bars. These trains run though the town at all hours of the day and night, and this is creating some discomfort to me and some other residents I have spoken to. The issue is really concerning the trains that come through during the middle of the night. The sounding of the horns is quit loud and on many occasions has awoken others and me from our sleep. During the day the sound is also loud and can be a nu sense if you are trying to focus or concentrate on a task. In the reading on this topic that I did I found that it is actually safer to have crossing bars and signals that just the sounding of the trains horn. It the city could look at putting these up it would make our neighborhoods much quieter and even safer. Thank you taking the time to read this and I hope it will be something that you are able to look into in the future. Tom Daugherty 1O1l j),.~ i vi-, ID7, S. Luc.-$ err Y6t.lf4. cjJ I;} ~22.io (5 $r-, ,.~-.... '- J, .-<.>_... '," ;{7Tt "" "---, -,.". 2~'" ..q::..- .~D r'~ , (~ '". ;', c:5 ;~J ?:/'" )S: I ." ~ -. ,17 , -, \ ' .j ~ 1'0 O'l Dear City Council, I am writing to you today on the subject of railroad cross bars. I feel that a number of railroad tracks in Iowa City are absent of cross bars and proper train signaling mechanisms. Some signs marking railroad tracks are not easy to see and are on the other side of the tracks instead of a few feet in front of them. I feel signs marking railroad tracks should be a few feet in front of the tracks so they can be easily recognized and seen. I have also noticed that the streets themselves aren't well marked with paint showing the railroad warning or with a line showing cars where to safely stop when a train is coming. It seems the only way to ensure safety at certain intersections is to have the conductor repeatedly blow hislher horn at all hours of the day. I think this is a poor way to ensure safety and also a nuisance to the tenets living around certain railroad tracks. I believe train horns that begin at 4:30 in the morning and continue every half an hour or so up to 7:30 in the morning violate some city noise ordnance. Also hearing a horn tells you that a train is close but doesn't necessarily tell you how close or whether or not the train has already passed your intersection. Many pedestrians driving or bicycling could easily mistake a railroad crossing with no gates as one to cross when in fact a train could be coming at anytime. I feel that the other warning signals for trains take second compared to railroad gates. Even if signs were easily visible and streets were properly marked without gates these signs can be overlooked. I feel that railroad gates are the most important warning and must be implemented at railroad crossings. Thank You for your time SiIlcerely"" Joe~cQuaiif.i --.:::CJ '2' ,..i:"- = CO) _.~~ -n C-) -'- :.::..::j (.~. -':; r" ~ "[T,I ~:;.~ )> N -.! :tc~ _J>;., Ti 1-"\ I.........i <.D Marian Karr ~ From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Jean Walker [walkersic@yahoo.com] Tuesday, October 31,200612:24 PM .City Council Sam Hargadine Illegal guns This is a request for the Mayor of Iowa City to join other mayors across the U.S. to fight illegal guns. According to Iowans for the Prevention of Gun Violence: "Des Moines Mayor T. M. Franklin Cownie and Cedar Rapids Mayor Kay Halloran have joined with more than 100 of their colleagues from major cities across the nation in pledging to stop criminals getting guns." "The two signed on this summer after an initial group of 15 mayors, led by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Boston Mayor Thomas Menina, met last March for the first MaY9rs' Summit on Illegal Guns to discuss strategies for stopping the flow of crime guns into their communities. At that conference, the mayors developed a statement of principles and have asked their colleagues to join them in supporting it." "Notably, the mayors have agreed to: 1) Support all local, state, and federal legislation targeting illegal guns. 2) Target and hold accountable gun dealers who knowingly sell guns to straw purchasers. 3) Punish criminals who possess, use, and traffic illegal guns to the maximum extent of the law. To see the full statement of principles signed by the mayors, or for more information on the mayors' coalition, visit: www.mayorsagainstillegalguns.org" Thank you, Jean M. Walker 335 Lucon Drive Iowa City Low, Low, Low Rates! Check out Yahoo! Messenger's cheap PC-to-Phone call rates (http://voice.yahoo.com) 1 11-14-06 I 4g(13) Marian Karr From: Sent: To: Subject: the3rdiowa@mchsLcom Tuesday, October 31,20065:51 PM 'City Council Development around the airport Dear Mayor Wilburn and City Council Members, As crucial as I believe funding affordable housing is to our community, it is also critical to consider how we can pay the bills for needs like this in our City. Economic development, I think we can all agree, is vitally important to our community. It is also important to encourage entrepreneurs in our community and state (and region), particularly younger "creative class" adults, to corne, stay, and grow within our area to help develop good jobs. I can think of no better use for the area around the city airport to develop a sustainable economic incubator. Clearly this will take cooperation and involvement from the greater community, and our neighbors in the county. And, given the vast "brain trust" we have in Iowa City, it is a natural attraction for investment. An investment by the city into jump starting such an effort would no doubt be welcomed by local Economic Development interests, the University of Iowa, and advocates for the Creative Economy. Essentially infrastructure would need to be developed which would be the cornerstone of developing clean industries and services that would have to meet certain criteria, e.g., liveable wages. This could be done through bonds, CDBG grants, and investment though the Community Foundation, as an example, in addition to private/public joint ventures. Our commmunity needs to be respectful of how we use our public land, ensuring the future economic security of the community through forward thinking development that begins with a vision of what can be, not what is. Sincerely, Garry Klein 628 2nd Ave. Iowa City, IA 1 i1:rI ell i" I . .. ~~.~~ 410 E. Wadtill,toJl Strut Iowa Cit.y. luwa. 52240 .1826 ZGOb IHJV -I An II: l,S Association ~;di!ft5~VA 438 Hwy 1 West Iowa City, IA 52246 October 26, 2006 Dear Council Members, The City ofIowa City Housing Authority and the Iowa City Area Association ofREALTORS@ just completed a second Home Ownership Mortgage Readiness Course, with 29 attendees graduating. Previously, if a class participant missed a session due to illness or work, they would be able to schedule a make-up session with a Fair Housing Ambassador and view only the PowerPoint presentation. This meant they were not exposed to the expert speakers nor were they able to listen to the interaction with the audience during the question and answer part of the class. This time, it was decided that the session should be video taped in its entirety and Ty Coleman, from the City's Cable TV Division was contacted Ty provided us with guidance, ideas, and his expertise, to achieve exactly what was desired. The taping was completed without error and Ty and his Clew were not only skilled, but remained enthusiastic each night. On behalf of both organi73tions, we would like to recognize and commend Ty Coleman and his crew with City Cable for their outstanding work. Their dedication to our project and its success was evident each and every week. The City CllIl be very proud of the professionalism displayed by City Cable staff, and especially Ty Coleman. They embody the goals of this community and represent the City well. 8.Jh~- Deb Briggs ;0Q Housing Coordinator City ofIowa City Housing Authority ~~ Cheryl Nelson Chief Executive Officer Iowa City Area Association of REAL TORS@ _____.__~__._'m_____~~~______.______.._.._.~~_________ . w.._____._~___________.__.._.__~~_._.__'_.____________.m______.'.__.____ .-.--- ~ Dear Council Members, I am John Pearson and I am a freshman at the University ofIowa, and the reason that I am sending you this letter is to not only persuade to change something but also to discuss an issue that perhaps gets very little recognition. The issue that I have concerns with is the fact that in Iowa City, we do not have any bike lanes along the major roads downtown. This is an issue for two reasons. The ftrst is the fact that it can be very, very unsafe for the bikers to travel on the road along with the cars. The other is the fact that the cars have less room on the road, if the biker is being unsafe, which could put the other drivers on the road in danger. Specific bike lanes have been created at many other major universities. Take for instance the University of Wisconsin, now yes the city of Madison is bigger and more populated than Iowa City, but the bikers have their own separate lane in which to ride on. For this issue, I have two ideas that I truly hope that you will consider. The ftrst being that the city builds a completely new lane for the bikers separated from the road by a median, much like the University of Wisconsin has. This is the safest idea because the median will prevent the bikers from swerving on to the road and it will keep the cars far away from the bikers at the same time. Another issue that the median will easily solve is the bike riders at night, if there is a piece of concrete separating the cars and bikes, there is almost no chance of there being an accident. The second is that the city just puts down a new lane line on the side of the road for the bikers to ride with in. This is no where near as safe as the median, but it is much C5 ,....~ easier to build. Also if the city builds this lane, it will give the riders a deftnite p[lttJejo flf -,0:---.;:: ~. ~", _~,~:/ 2::; ride on the side of the road. I can tell you from my own personal experience, ~~5 it i~ i;Y ;~ i~/ ~ !?j :f:; -:: ~\._/ f\) 0-, your first time riding your bike in downtown Iowa City, you will probably have very little idea on where to ride. But if the lane is installed, there will be no question on where to ride. This will keep both the riders safe because they will know where to go and the drivers safe because they will know exactly where the riders will be. I truly hope that I have brought up an issue that you will consider solving. Whether the solution involves my two ideas, or something completely different, I hope that something will be done in Iowa City in order to keep the bike riders safe. Thank you for your time, f21.~ ?~ (Tr John Pearson :r~I..... ~e<uso ~.. 1&1<0 IS'^<J<- H--.\\ 11: 'I i'"!. J. t4w", '-.~, 'tJ4' '"'J4.'i ~ o .7fQ '''1 c.~~ -.--C~. ~~f::: 7-::-~/--:; 0--,) ...-;;:\. ~: ..i-> -'" ~ 1'0 Q) ."'-.., = ~) ~" -- ~"";.. c~.. .~: -/7 ;::;:,' I 1'0 ril r~'.'T '.,-~i ~ To Whom It May Concern, I am currently enrolled in a class at the University of Iowa that teaches the students to do something productive with their leisure tiine. I chose to write the City of Iowa City a letter regarding the bars and nightclubs in the downtown area. In my leisure time, I usually go out downtown to bars and nightclubs. I feel, along with many other students that the age for entering a bar should not be 19, but it should be 21. Alcohol is served throughout the bars and it is not hard to get a drink, or a wristband, I can tell from all of the Paula's I read about in the newspaper. Ifanightclub or bar allows people under 21 in, they are expected to drink, and will usually drink. There are police throughout the bars waiting for people to pick up drinks so they can bust them. In my free time on the weekends I enjoy going to the bars because it is fun and a lot of my friends go. I am 19 and can legally enter the bar, but I am afraid. I have the pressure to drink from my peers and everyone else at the bar, but I am afraid the police will give me a Paula. I understand that me being afraid is supposed to keep me away from the bars, but it isn't enough. I believe that if the bars were 21 years old to enter, there would not be as big of a drinking problem here because you would have to be 21 to enter. It would also cut down on the Paula's and public intoxications. Sincerely, c5 ~ 5~) 2:; c:':, c-, Ben Cohen :7J"~ (,'5 'C;;:: Il '- - ",2") ~ w\lt':)(;- St J:u\A.A 0,4 '/. ~ A .; 2.2.L\ 2.. '- j =/('--; --<.,.... .;~,-~ . " i------r-: -------O>-l o-.\~ S/':": :i> "1::' 3: ._/ ! i ;'---1 '~,-J , N .r:- " f\, 0'\ ---~-_.-..__.._-------_._---,._-_.,..."'--_._----_._._..-,.-------_._---.---- Page I of I Marian Karr From: Kathryn Johansen Sent: Friday, November 03,2006 1:34 PM To: 'Tyler Mullinnix' Cc: 'City Council Subject: RE: underage drinking project Dear Tyler: Thank you for your message to City Council. Council members do not receive their e-mails directly. Your message will be forwarded to them as official correspondence. If you wish to communicate with Council members, please contact them individually. Council member names and phone numbers are listed on our City website. Please visit~_\lViN"_._tq99y__.__qr_g. Click the blue link for Departments and select City Council. Thank you for writing. Sincerely, Kathi Johansen Administrative Assistant to the City Manager From: Tyler Mullinnix [mailto:tylermullinnix@yahoo.com] Sent: Friday, November 03, 2006 1:11 PM To: *City Council Cc: redlinger.jeanine@iccsd.k12.ia.u5 Subject: underage drinking project dear members of thecity council, I am a student at City High School and we were required to do a civics project. I did mine on underage drinking and found out that the law probably will not ever allow people under the legal age of 21 to drink. That is in the near future. I think that you're an adult when you turn 18 and that's when you should be able to purchase and consume alcoholic drinks. If you're aloud to fight for our country you should be aloud to drink. I know that there are bad outcomes like violence, drunk driving, crime, and many other things that are an outcome due to drinking. What's the difference between an 18 year old and a 21 year old? Thanks, Tyler Mullinnix t'lermullinnix@x;!hoo.cQill Access over I million songs - Yahoo! Music Unlimited Il')'iUoday. 11/3/2006 ____._.____,_....._,__,____~_._._.~__.~_~_.~ _..._m~_~__m__...__________~.__m__ --.-..----------------...,..-,.-..----------.--------....." ~ , 630 S. Capitol St #406 Iowa City, IA 52240 Council Members 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear Council Members: I am currently a senior at The University of Iowa. This year marks my fifth year living in Iowa City. The stay has been an enjoyable one. Iowa City is great place for college students along with families to live. However, there is one ooncem of mine that I do not understand: why is the price of gas in Iowa City greater than the price of gas throughout the rest of Iowa? I understand the gas prices in Iowa City have always been lower than the national average, which ~ should be. What does not make sense to me is how the price of gas in Des Moines and Cedar Rapids, along with smaller towns like North Uberty and Washington, can be ten to twenty cents cheaper week in and week out If a household had one 24-gallon vehicle that needed a full tank of gas three times a month, the family would have to pay around $86.00 more when gas prices in Iowa City are ten cents higher than the gas prices in the surrounding oommun~. However, most families own at minimum two cars, let alone any children that are old enough to drive. In addition, the Des Moines gas prices have been a constant twenty cents cheaper than the gas prices in Iowa City. With those numbers, the Iowa City households will be shelling out around $350 to $400 per year more than the families of Des Moines. Maybe there are good explanations on why the prices are inflated. Please take the time to explain to the citizens of Iowa City why we must pay more for the same product. The price of demand, location of the city, or size of the city are not applicable. Gas is a precious resource but so is the money of the residents in Iowa City. Sincerely, Michael Scott o s ...,:;:: C':i _..-- ....~ ,...,-~. ~ " ......) "'~- jE .c- 1'\.' cr, I I\:> '"(-. _.~: -'::',. ~., = 2i: -~;" 2J r-- ,/1 ; --, \.__1 ~ To Whom It May Concern: I am speaking on behalf of those who ride a bicycle as an extreme sport. We are not aloud to ride our bicycles in the Iowa City Skate Park, while others are aloud to use their skate boards and rollerblades. All I am asking is that we have equal rights. If those who use their skate boards and rollerblades can use the skate park from entertainment, then we should be able to as well. We are tired of being discriminated against. We have no where to ride our bikes. The only current option that we have is to pack up our bikes in a car and drive to Davenport or Cedar Rapids. Not every bicycle rider in the Iowa City area has access the an automobile to make the trip; and those who do have the inconvenience of driving an hour every time that they want to ride their bicycle without being hassled by the cops. Why would we want to drive this long distance when there is already a skate park in Iowa City? Other places throughout Iowa have started to allow bicycles to have access to their public skate parks such as Cedar Rapids and Davenport for example. Where does the money for a public skate park to be built come from? The tax payers have a lot to do with this source of income. So, why are bicycles not aloud entrance into the Iowa City Skate Park? Since I am a tax payer, I should be granted access to the Iowa City Skate Park. By allowing bicycles to ride in the in the Iowa City Skate Park, there will be less bicycle riders in the down town Iowa City area on campus property. Sincerely, 0 ~~? Robert Abramovske-<' i'-..:t Cl =:} <;'7""'> i:.,::) .......c: -Cl _.-.~.! I W ~c.hQ('\..- 4b,()~C 3, 3..1 ~j,.\- Lu:tS~ l'.cj"" 5"+ ApJ-.r ~ov"' L,'t; JIlt ~.dJ-~o ~ ::~ 1'1 --~ \.~_J i', """.,j <: )> W \..0 4- .J (I '1 ) Marian Karr From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Dale Helling Thursday, November 09, 2006 3:58 PM 'amanda-battaglia@uiowa.edu' 'City Council; Eleanor M. Dilkes RE: question Dear Amanda, Thank you for your email to the City Council regarding the shifting of Burry Drive. Council does not receive its email directly and your message will be forwarded to them and received as official correspondence as part of an upcoming meeting agenda. While the City has attempted to work with the homeowners to remedy the problem, the City does not agree that either the City's design or maintenance of the street has caused the problem. The homeowners have filed a claim with the City and have stated their intention to file a lawsuit in the near future. Therefore, the City Council is not at liberty to discuss the matter further. I'm sorry I cannot be more helpful at this time. However, since this is a matter of imminent litigation against the City, I also am not at liberty to discuss it. Sincerely, Dale Helling, Assistant City Manager Cc Eleanor M. Dilkes, City Attorney -----Original Message----- From: amanda-battaglia@uiowa.edu [mailto:amanda-battaglia@uiowa.edu] Sent: Sunday, November 05, 2006 2:54 PM To: *City Council Subject: question Hello, My name is Amanda Battaglia and I am a student at the University of Iowa. I had a question regarding the two women who brought up the issue of the shifting street. At the meeting a couple weeks ago, Jean Drulis and Barbara Miller brought forth the comment about how thier homes were being ruined due to a shifting street and how no one had helped them. I was just wondering if you could give me specific details about this occurrence. I would like to write a newspaper article about the issue for my Journalistic Reporting and Writing class. If you could help me, or tell me who to contact for more information, that would be great. Thank you! -Amanda 1 Marian Karr ~ From: Sent: To: Subject: amanda-battaglia@uiowa.edu Sunday, November 05, 20062:54 PM 'City Council question Hello, My name is Amanda Battaglia and I am a student at the University of Iowa. I had a question regarding the two women who brought up the issue of the shifting street. At the meeting a couple weeks ago, Jean Drulis and Barbara Miller brought forth the comment about how thier homes were being ruined due to a shifting street and how no one had helped them. I was just wondering if you could give me specific details about this occurrence. I would like to write a newspaper article about the issue for my Journalistic Reporting and Writing class. If you could help me, or tell me who to contact for more information, that would be great. Thank you! ~Amanda 1 r:J Marian Karr From: Stacey Green [staceymichellegreen@hotmail.com] Sent: Saturday, November 04,20063:34 PM To: 'City Council Subject: Sinclair Group/Mediacom Dear Council Members, I am a Mediacom customer in the Iowa City, Iowa area and am very upset about the possibility that KGAN CBS might no longer be available through Mediacom because of their monetary conflict with the Sinclair Broadcasting Group. I watch several shows on CBS and don't understand why I, a paying customer, will be punished when CBS is a network free to the public. I know that the Sinclair Group with KGAN is offering Mediacom customers a $150 credit to switch to DirecTV. I live in an apartment where we are not allowed to have DirecTV or a satellite dish. So switching, is not an option for me! And Mediacom is the only cable company in the city-so I, along with many others, are the ones affected negatively by this blackmail attempt. It is not fair that the customers are the ones being penalized for this disagreement! I would appreciate the Iowa City Council to take action on this injustice that is being forced upon me and all of the Mediacom customers here in Eastern Iowa. Sincerely, Stacey Green 11/6/2006 Marian Karr From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Drew Shaffer [dshaffer@citychanneI4.com] Wednesday, November 08,20069:19 AM staceymichellegreen@hotmaii.com 'City Council response to email complete Dear Stacey Green, Thank you for your email message to the City Council. Council members do not receive their email directly. Your message, along with this reply, will be forwarded to them as official correspondence as part of an upcoming regular meeting agenda. The CBS/Mediacom situation is controlled by Federal law, not the City's franchise agreement with Mediacom. The City is specifically prohibited from requiring any commercial channels or programming by the cable company. Federal law requires each broadcaster to make one of two choices. Either they may elect a "must carry" status, meaning the cable company has to carry them, or they can exercise a second option, which is to seek an agreement with the cable company that is acceptable to both parties. In pursuing the latter, they relinquish their "must carryU status. It is the City's understanding that KGAN is attempting to obtain remuneration in the form of direct financial compensation from Mediacom. This appears to be unlike considerations sought and agreed to by other broadcasters. Usually cable companies work out agreements with broadcasters that are trade outs in nature. That is, the cable operator may agree to advertise on the broadcaster's channel, or some similar arrangement. This has become the industry model. Mediacom informs us that they have offered KGAN the same arrangements that other Sinclair owned broadcasting stations (CBS and FOX affiliates) have agreed to in other parts of the country and with other cable operators. KGAN has reportedly declined such an arrangement. The City is very interested in seeing this situation resolved so that Iowa City subscribers will continue to receive KGAN. We are prepared to do what we can to encourage such a resolution, but we cannot prevent either party from pursuing its option(s) under Federal law, nor can we unduly influence either in their decision making. I hope this information is helpful. If you wish to discuss this matter further, please feel free to contact me at 356-5046, or you. can contact Dale Helling, Assistant City Manager, at 356-5013. Sincerely, Drew Shaffer, Cable TV Administrator City of Iowa City cc: City Council 1 ---_.~._-_."--_._._-_._."-_. --------_.__._-_.__._-----_._-~_.- = Marian Karr From: Ginsberg, Mark [mark@mcginsberg.com] Sent: Wednesday, November 01, 200610:07 AM To: 'City Council Cc: Katie Roche Subject: Summer of the Arts Attachments: IC council-ask for sota.doc Thank you for your continued support. Mark Ginsberg M. C. Ginsberg Jewelers Specializing in rare, antique, early twentieth century and contemporary jewelry. 110 E. Washington St. I Iowa City, Iowa 52240 I 319351 1700 Governor Square I West Des Moines, Iowa 50266 I 5152221101 11/1/2006 _ ginsberg I OBJECTS o F ART Iowa City Council: As a proactive business leader and co-president for the Summer of the Arts Board, I'm asking you to continue a very important investment as we look at our challenges to educate, engage, attract. entertain, provoke and continue to stimulate the economy of our shrinking world. There is hardly a viable example to emulate when looking for a vital, interactive and thriving downtown business and cultural district in this State. It is for this reason that the need to continue focusing on projects, such as "Summer of the Arts" that distinguishes us not homogenizes us, is critical. Downtown Iowa City is the "alter ego" and the "personality" of this community and this State. Any of us with a business have come to understand that our business' success or failure is directly proportional to how much our communities stimulate us. The Iowa City Jazz Festival. The Friday Night Concert Series, the Iowa City Arts Festival and the Saturday Night Film Series have all proven themseives to be positive economic attractors on several planes. It is just good business. It has shown that public/private partnerships do work and encourage community participation regardless of gender, age or ethnicity. Anytime a business has the opportunity to show itself off culturally to attract more business, population base and pride to itself and community proves to create an economic boon. The real question should be why not support programs like the Summer of the Arts? Budgets are vital to the sustained growth of any program both non-profit and profit. Volunteerism and grass roots efforts breathe life, but it is a professional staff and the quality of art that maintains and grows an event. Budgeting growth through private contributions as well as grants will continue to supports these efforts. It is not my intention to wait on the sidelines for this type of programming to arrive but rather to inspire others to get involved and stay involved. I have learned that culture is great for business. The Summer of the Arts needs to raise significant dollars from which the Iowa Arts Festival. the Iowa City Jazz Festival, the Friday Night Concert Series and the Saturday Night Movie Series remain "free" to our entire community. I would like you to consider the continuation of your investment for more than one hundred days of tremendous programming, I believe it's just good business. Mark Ginsberg A brief description of the events and festivals and all activities fhaf will occur from Memorial Day until Labor Day: The Iowa Arts Festival is a free community event, funded by private and government grants, and corporate and individual donations. The Arts Fest's primary events include: A. An art fair, featuring over 100 local and regional visual artists, displaying and selling their artwork. B. A music festival, featuring local, regional and national performers. C. "Culinary Row", featuring a variety of local food vendors offering tastes of regional and ethnic food. D. A variety of activities and entertainment, both creative and educational for children, including "Global Village" and "Children's Day". The Iowa Citv Jazz Festival is a free community event that takes place in downtown Iowa City for three consecutive days in July. The Jazz Fest has presented a consistently high level of musicianship, treating audiences to some of the very best jazz performers in the world. A vital component of the festival is the focus on Jazz education, collaborating with the U of I to provide workshops, free of charge for high school jazz students. Area high schooi jazz bands have been featured as "openers" for some of the world's most influential jazz artists on our stages. The Jazz Fest has been named one of the "Top 10 Festivals in the Nation" by Downbeal magazine. The Fridav Niahl Concert Series is a free, family- friendly, musical event held on the Pedestrian Mall in downtown Iowa City. From May through mid-September, this event features live music performed by local bands each and every Friday night, A diverse audience of all ages and cultural backgrounds, whose numbers range from a few hundred to a few thousand people, come down to dance and enjoy the music, while childreri splash in the fountain or climb on the playground equipment. The Saturdav Niaht Free Movie Series is an outdoor film festival, held in downtown Iowa City on the UI Pentacrest. Each week a family-friendly, feature length film will be screened for our community to enjoy, free of charge. Audience members are invited to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets for seating on the grass. This event has been supported by private donations and partnerships from local businesses in our community, the DT A and the U of I. How does this program/event benelit the Iowa City area? Collectively, these four events all enhance and enrich the cultural atmosphere and diversity of the Iowa City Community. They do this by featuring nationally recognized performers playing on the same stages with our own local musicians. They showcase artists and their works from all over the country and share glimpses of other cultures through art, film and food. These events provide a substantial social and economic impact on our community by pumping millions of dollars into our local economy, drawing thousands of customers to area businesses and raising awareness of what Iowa City has to offer. Families and companies are looking to settle in places that offer a variety of activities to become involved in and to enjoy. Arts events and programs make Iowa City a great place to live, which in turn, makes the area attractive to business and industry looking to expand. o Forbes magazine, (5-9-03) listed Iowa City "2'd Best Place in the Country for Business and Careers" o Men's Journal ranked Iowa City as "Most Sexy, Healthy, and Safe Place to Live" o AARP listed Iowa City as the "6th Best College Town in which to Retire" o USA Today ranked Iowa City at "Third Most Educated Metropolitan Area" o Corridor Business Journal, (John Solow) o Money magazine, (10-11-05) listed Iowa City "One of the Top 5 Places to Retire" REM Iowa Community Services, Inc. 402 Westcor Dr., Unit A Coralville,IA 52241 (319) 545-1227 Fax: (319) 545-1237 www.thementornetv..ork.com R~o~ Mayor Ross Wilburn City of Iowa City 410 E. Washington St. Iowa City, IA 52240 is <- :--:::::() .1:;.. ------; ,,--;} C:::::r ~~ c:~: .;'c il r- ~~ If :-----r '.~) I -.J ,--, .--1 ~ ~ j> b- ".,~. -~ - " N .:=- Dear Mayor Wilburn, Thank you for generously sponsoring Summer of the Arts in 2006. As you know, Summer of the Arts' programming is integral to our community's cultural vibrancy. The Iowa Arts Fest, Jazz Fest, Friday Night Concert Series, and Saturday Night Free Movie Series are free, family friendly, and fun. Because they are also handicap accessible, the entire REM Iowa family looks forward to each opportunity to enjoy our local musicians and artists. Summer in Iowa City would not be the same without music wafting through the alleys of the Ped Mall and persons of all generations, abilities, and walks of life salsa dancing in the streets. I hope you will consider renewing the City of Iowa City's sponsorship of Summer of the Arts for 2007 and for many years to come. Sincerely, j~%t.~ Tianna M. Streeter REM Iowa Unit Coordinator A member of The MEWTOR Network Kevin C. Popp laura C. Mueller Kimberly H. Blankenship Sarah E. Swartzendruber Tyler G. Olson Joseph W. Younker Nikki J. Johnson Nicholas l. Scott Jessica A. Dora F. James Bradley Byron G. Riley Michael K. Denney Patrick M. Courtney Donald G. Thompson Kelly R. Baier Gregory J Seyfer Dean A. Spina Joseph E. Schmall Bradley G. Hart William J. Nappi William T. McCartan Maureen G. Kenney Vernon P. Squires Timo1hy J. Hill Paul D. Burns Michael J. Pugh Janice J. Kerkove Nancy A. Wood Shannon P. Thompson BRADLEY & RILEY PC A TTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS CEDAR RAPIDS - IOWA CITY WEBSITE ADDRESS, www.bradleyriley.com 2007 FIRST AVENUE SE CEDAR RAPIDS, IA 52402-6344 MAILING ADDRESS: PO BOX 2804 CEDAR RAPIDS, lA 52406.2804 TELEPHONE: 3I9.363.QIOl FAX: 319.363.9824 E.MAIL ADDRESS, dthomps(ln@hradlcYl'ilcy.co1l1 DIRECT DIAL 319.861.8727 November 2, 2006 5 ~~~' "-n I 0) VIA E-MAIL -., '.' n .-, ',j Council Members 410 East Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 ..-:;... ); r:Y <.,) o Dear Council Members: I am writing to thank you for your vote in support of the Application for Community Event & Program Funding FY 2007 that I submitted on behalf of the Summer of tile Arts, lltc. to Steve Atkins in October 2005. Your decision to provide $50,000 to Summer of tile Arts, lltc. was the key to our success. While we raised a considerable amount of money from a number of corporate and individual sources, the City Council's decision to fund this endeavor at that level at an early point in our fundraising cycle really was the key to our success. I am also asking for your continued support at the $50,000 level for FY 2008 (July I, 2007-June 30, 2008). I hope that you will agree that your $50,000 investment paid handsome dividends. Summer of tile Arts and its events are an important component ofIowa City's attractiveness as a place people want to visit and live. I believe this has a significant impact on our efforts to promote economic development in the Iowa City area. There are many factors that make Summer of tile Arts an important part of our cultural and economic life in Iowa City. Summer of tile Arts provides free entertainment to residents and visitors throughout the summer. All of our events are accessible to all and the attempt to provide diverse programming to attract a broad spectrum of people. We also provide a tremendous opportunity for local performers. We showcase the best local talent each summer at over 100 shows. Everyone who appears on our stages is paid and local performers compete for a coveted spot at one of our performance venues. {OOJ85279.DOC} BRADLEY & RILEY PC City Council November 6, 2006 Page 2 By providing events throughout the summer at outdoor venues Summer of tile Arts events truly become a part of our environment in Iowa City. Our events also are important to our efforts to build community in Iowa City. Our events provide an opportunity for diverse members ofthe community to join together to celebrate, to enjoy and to feel a part of the larger community. In addition to building community, we also showcase what Iowa City has to offer to people who visit from other communities in Iowa and from many other states. We also provide family-friendly activities throughout the summer. Our success in providing events with language and content that is appropriate for all ages is reflected in the demographics of our audience at the many events throughout the summer. In addition to making Iowa City a community more attractive to businesses and employers considering Iowa City as a location to establish or expand a business, the events we are responsible for have a direct economic impact on the local economy. The National Endowment for the Arts has determined that for every dollar spent on arts and culture generates $18 for the local economy. With our budget, this means we are generating over $5 million of economic impact to the local economy. Weare also proud that Summer of tile Arts, Inc. is committed to training leaders and promoting service in our community. Weare a volunteer organization and part of our mission is to create and maintain a vibrant and vital volunteer program as the engine that makes our organization succeed. We have created interesting, adaptable and diverse volunteer positions that involve a large volunteer force. The volunteer positions involve significant responsibility and have proven to be a great way for younger members of our community to develop leadership skills and a commitment to our community. We are proud to say that the City ofIowa City is the Title Sponsor ofthe Summer of tile Arts. We believe that the sponsorship of the Summer of tile Arts by the City of Iowa City serves as a source of pride for citizens and taxpayers ofthe City ofIowa City, employees of the City ofIowa City, and our elected officials. This entire community owns a major piece of what we do, and we sincerely appreciate the investment that this community has made in the Summer of tile Arts. Sincerely yours, Dona . Thompson 6 -~ ~j:;: dlc cc: Steve Atkins I 0-; ---:1 ----- 1-.-- ..' ->~ 'Ti ,."-, 'l,~_..,/ ....--:.," 1--' ""--- ~.,. p: ~ c..., <:::> Johnson County Local Homeless Coordinating Board . 4C'5 . AGAPE Cafe . Commwlity Mental Health Centers PATH Prognm . Consultation of Religious Communities . Crisis Center . Department of Human Services . Domestic Violence Intervention Program . Free Lunch Program . Free Medical Clinic . Furniture Project . Goodwill Employment Services . Greater Iowa City Housing Fellowship . HACAP . Hillcrest Family Services . Housing Trust Fund of johns on County . Ie Corrununity School District . ICARE . Iowa City Department of Planning and Community Development . Iowa City Housing & Community Development Commission . Iowa City Housing Authority . Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence . )CCOG . Johnson County MH/DD Services . Mayor's Y DUth Employment Prog=n . MECCA . Neighborhood Centers of]ohnson County . Red Cross . River Cities Development Services . The Salvation Anny . Shelter House . STAR Program . Successful Living . Table to Table . United Action for Y DUth . United Way of Johnson County . VA Hospital Homeless Outreach . Wesley Foundation . Youth Homes, Inc. ~ JOHNSON COUN1Y LOCAL HOMELESS COORDINATING BOARD 410 E. Washington St. Iowa City, Iowa 52240 November 2, 2006 Dear Neighbor: Hopefully you are already aware that November 12'" through the 18'" is the National Week of Hunger and Homelessness Awareness. There are several activities taking place in our community during the week that will be open to the public and we hope that you will want to attend some of them. I am writing to you at this time to invite you to take part in the Homeless Simulation, a unique event being sponsored by the Johnson County Local Homeless Coordinating Board. The Homelessness Simulation activity is designed to help citizens better understand what the homeless and ''working poor" among us face every day. Participants are assigned an economic status and given a character description. During the simulation, various everyday activities such as fmding work, food and shelter, become challenges that must be solved; chance situations continually confront and confound participants as they attempt to survive and possibly prosper in the "community." Facilitated small group debriefmg discussions at the end of the activity allow for reflection on how this activity relates to the homeless and poor in Johnson County and how individual participants may have been impacted by the experience. The Homeless Simulation is being held from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Novemper 18'" in Montgomery Hall at the Johnson County Fairgrounds. We hope that you will be able to spend these few hours with others in the community taking part in this powerful and informative experience. If you are not able to attend but have someone else that you would like to send in your place, please include that in the RSVP no later than Tuesday, November 14"'. Your RSVP, questions or requests for more information should be directed to: Crissy Canganelli telephone: 338-5416 ext 102 (office) 530-8706 (cell) e-mail: crissy(a)shelterhouseiowa.org o ;-E () '.> --: -' ~ I....,.) ~"::;~ C~ .:;:;;:._, -C1 ~, ) ~3 ;~~ ~.Tl ,'--' \....J I Cf) ~II' ["T-; S;:d5€ ;;= j> -~;; en '-'") Crissy Can elli Executive Director, Shelter House Co-Chair, Johnson County Local Homeless Coordinating Board _0_- ------~_._----~.._---~'--_.._-~._.-