HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-02-20 Correspondence
CITY OF IOWA CITY, IOWA
STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS
Mayor Ross Wilburn
February 20, 2007
Here in Iowa City, we are all stakeholders in our town and share responsibility for building and
preserving a viable and sustainable conununity. Our government should facilitate this process,
providing the services that enable us to go about our common charge in an orderly, civil, and
supportive environment. Indeed, the structural care of a city should be the principal focus of
our efforts. Included in that structural care however, must be the parks where people go to
recreate their health and spirit, the art that provides inspiration, and support for those unable to
enjoy the quality of life and opportunities that our conununity offers. In that spirit of structural,
conununity care, Iowa City continues to be a leader and a prominent example.
The community spirit ofIowa City was never more apparent to me than last April 13th when a
series of tornados ripped through the area, resulting in the tragic death of a rural Muscatine
County woman and leaving millions of dollars in damages in its wake. Most of the physical
damage was sustained along a path that cut through the heart of Iowa City, destroying homes,
businesses, public facilities and infrastructure, countless mature trees, vehicles, and other
property like St. Patrick's Church, a landmark in our downtown for over 125 years. In Iowa
City, we were fortunate that no deaths and only a few injuries occurred as a result.
I continue to be amazed and gratified by the response that came from literally thousands of
citizens, not only from this conununity but from all over the Midwest and beyond. While many
were left temporarily homeless or without the full use oftheir homes, and some neighborhoods
were nearly ruined, everywhere you looked, you could see neighbors helping neighbors and
strangers helping whomever and wherever they could. Police, firefighters, and emergency
volunteers from nearby towns lent their immediate support to their Iowa City counterparts, and
utility workers joined city crews in an immediate effort to clear streets and restore power.
Citizens were observed directing traffic in their neighborhoods, assisting authorities in locating
neighbors and confirming their safety, and generally helping others to cope and comfort one
another. Our local human services infrastructure including the American Red Cross, the
Salvation Army, the United Way, and the Crisis Center complimented the efforts of neighbors
helping neighbors by providing material and emotional support and linking those affected to our
community safety net, thus providing a foundation for individuals and families to begin
rebuilding their lives. Other offers of assistance kept pouring in and by summer's end, much of
the restoration was completed or well underway.
I wanted to reflect on these events at some length because in many ways the conununity
response was our "finest hour" and a challenge to the very fiber of this community. I am
grateful and proud of the way Iowa City rose to the occasion, demonstrating what people can
accomplish by working together in a community. One more time, I want to thank all of you for
being caring neighbors and responsive citizens, as well as those from other communities,
without whose assistance our rebuilding would have been so much more difficult.
I
We remain committed to facilitating manageable and sustainable growth and investing in our
future. Last year, one such investment was our decision to employ a fulltime Economic
Development Coordinator for the city, Wendy Ford. With the full time position, we will be
able to be more aggressive and creative with our economic development initiatives. Also, we
will be able to more closely monitor the results of those initiatives to ensure that the community
is gaining maximum benefit from its investment in local growth. For the eighth consecutive
year the city issued building permits in 2006 with a combined value well over 100 million
dollars. This solid activity translates into substantial growth in our tax base and demonstrates a
healthy annual growth increment for the community. Last year, we agreed to provide assistance
through tax increment financing for two major developments in Iowa City. National Genecular
Institute will locate a medical related research and development facility in the Northgate
Corporate Park, adding 36 quality jobs locally. The Heironymous Square project, a twelve story
mixed use retail, commercial and residential building, represents the first major expansion of
the downtown south of Burlington Street and will add an estimated 25 million dollars in value
to our tax base. The building will be designed to meet Leadership in Energy Efficient Design
(LEED) standards. We also supported a building expansion project by Proctor & Gamble
through the authorization of a CEBA grant application to the State along with a $70,000 local
match. One major benefit to the community from this project is the retention or creation of a
total of 80 high quality jobs locally.
Downtown Iowa City is regarded by many as potentially our greatest asset for attracting visitors
to this community, as well as providing a pleasant and exciting environment for many
community functions. You can see the strength of this asset every summer during the Summer
of the Arts activities and the thousands of people in our downtown area for Friday Night
Concerts, the Arts Festival, and the Jazz Festival. In collaboration with the Iowa City Area
Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Association, the City will conduct a Downtown
Market Niche Analysis this year. Among the things we hope to achieve are to analyze changes
in the downtown environment, to better understand that area's customers and competition, and
to identify niche markets for retail and optimal mixed uses for our downtown.
Just as we adopt sound policies and practices to ensure the continued economic viability of our
city, we also remain committed to preserving the sound economic position of this City
government. Later this meeting, we will hold a public hearing on the proposed FY2008 budget.
It is a balanced budget that provides for a continuation of services at the same level we
currently provide. Upon further consideration, the Council has agreed that the proposed tax rate
will be lowered to match that of the current fiscal year by correspondingly reducing the general
operating reserve and the emergency general tax levy. We continue to receive the highest
rating for our general obligation bonds, which translates to lower interest paid on the money we
borrow for capital projects. We save approximately $200,000 annually by receiving the Aaa
bond rating. Our financial reporting has earned the highest recognition from the Government
Financial Officer's Association for each of the past 21 years.
Our state legislative agenda for 2007 places a high priority on a comprehensive study, by the
state, of current taxing structures in Iowa. We believe that urban valuations should not be tied
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to agricultural land values and that cities need revenue streams that are more consistent and
reliable, thus allowing us to plan financially with greater accuracy. The bottom line is that the
State must do more than simply reduce the commercial tax burden. Local government is
directly about service delivery. We must have the resources to provide basic services and
quality of life services that compliment our economic development efforts and make us a well
rounded community.
Council will further consider issues related to adequate workforce housing. As a result of
related discussions over the past year, we solicited proposals for conducting an affordable
housing market analysis and are in the process of receiving and evaluating those proposals.
. Through this effort, we seek to identify the housing needs for specific income groups in the
city, to determine how those needs are or are not being met, and to determine public policies
that can be implemented to successfully address those unmet needs. Workforce housing issues
represent an ongoing challenge for many communities and we hope to learn how others have
successfully responded, so that we can develop successful local strategies. This initiative is just
one of many we will all need to pursue together if we wish to be a truly inclusive community,
taking advantage of the diversity of our population and the many inherent opportunities that
represents.
For many of us, progress includes an element of tangible, visible evidence that things are
moving ahead and that goals are being accomplished. 1'd like to talk a moment about some of
the things you can see taking place around town that contribute to the livability and
attractiveness ofIowa City. Last year, we completed reconstruction of Highway 6 East from
Lakeside Drive to 420th street and of South Gilbert Street from Napoleon Lane to Sycamore
Street. Both projects were collaborations with other jurisdictions, the former with the Iowa
Department of Transportation and the latter with Johnson County. Mormon Trek Boulevard
was extended from Willow Creek to Old Highway 218, which will allow access to future
development of airport land to the South and neighboring areas. Closely related is the
continuing work to lengthen the East-West airport runway. When completed, it will be nearly a
mile long and will easily accommodate high performance aircraft such as small jets, thereby
making the airport more accessible to a wider range of potential users. In addition, it will
enhance our ability to accommodate the related needs of commercial and industrial interests
that identify Iowa City as a potential location site.
Mass transit continues to be an important affordable means of commuting in town. This year,
we have an opportunity to enhance our mass transit service due to the revenue received from
the Court Street Transportation Center. We will consider how current routes might be
extended, or new routes added, in order to better serve everyone, in particular those who are
most dependent on this service for getting around town.
Major projects this year will include paving Lower West Branch Road from Hummingbird Lane
to Taft Avenue, the reconstruction of the Gilbert/Bowery/Prentiss Streets intersection, extension
of the Court Hill Trail, and design of the McCollister Boulevard Bridge over the Iowa River.
While maintenance and enhancement of our transportation infrastructure is important, our
capital projects include more than building roads, bridges, and trails. The City recently
3
purchased Sand Lake, formerly a quarry South of Napoleon Park. It will be developed in the
future as a public recreational facility and destination point that I hope everyone will find time
to enjoy. Like the Peninsula Park, I think this is a great opportunity to invest in the future of
our park and recreation system. I cannot help but think of the great success we have seen at the
Thornberry Off-Leash Dog Park. Last year, I briefly spoke of the Council receiving citizen
input and working with you in deciding on community direction and shaping our development.
The dog park is a great example oflocal government and dedicated citizen volunteers working
together to implement a desired city service. DogP AC volunteers were incredibly successful in
raising funds, including a substantial gift from a generous donor, to build and equip the dog
park, while the City was able to provide the necessary land. Well over 2,000 permits have been
sold to the public, which shows that use of the facility exceeded all projections.
Other noteworthy projects include the recycling center near Highway 6 East off of Scott
Boulevard and the Joint Emergency Communications Center. The recycling center will provide
a more convenient means for residents near the East side of town to deliver recyclable waste for
proper disposal and reuse, and will hopefully encourage more of us to engage in recycling.
Various jurisdictions continue working together to explore the creation of a joint
communications facility to serve all emergency service providers in Johnson County. I want to
thank this Council, the County, our neighboring cities, and the staff that have worked diligently
on this regional project. This single, interoperable communications system, if implemented,
will better meet the individual needs of each agency, as well as the critical ability for immediate
and direct communication between and among those agencies during emergency situations that
either involve mutual aid or that otherwise encompass multiple jurisdictions.
Finally, like last year I wanted to give a somewhat non-traditional ending for the state of the
city address. Recently, we have had dramatic changes in our State and National elected offices.
I want to mention a few local events that bring to mind issues of National importance. There
were two declarations that I as Mayor had to decree this past year that one hopes they never
have to declare. The first was the disaster declaration in response to the tornado where I began
this state of the city address. While our community proceeded well though planning,
coordination, and citizen muscle with recovery efforts to get back on our feet towards the path
of recovery, you only have to look down South to see the multi-dimensional and jurisdictional
issues that continue to hamper recovery efforts from a natural disaster. The second decree was
to order that flags be flown at half staff in memory of the death of Sgt. Khampa Sourivong in
the war in Iraq. Regardless of your views on how much government should be involved and
what role government should have in issues of national security, disaster relief, health care,
education, or energy, we have a great opportunity to drive national discussion on policy
direction with the upcoming Iowa Caucus. Already, we have had visits from Presidential
hopefuls visiting our State and our City with many more visits to come. Recently, I was in
Washington DC for the Corridor Federal Issues Trip and we had an opportunity to discuss with
Presidential candidates the issues of concern that we hope will be addressed in the upcoming
Presidential debate. I strongly encourage and challenge Iowa City residents to get to know the
candidates, attend events when they are here in town, and most importantly to attend your
party's caucus in order to show the nation that Iowans continue to be involved in our political
process and that we care about national policy and its impact on our daily lives.
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CITY OF IOWA CITY~
MEMORANDUM
Date: February 8, 2007
To:
City Clerk
Kent Ralston; Acting Traffic Engineering Planner ~
From:
Re:
Item for February 20, 2007 City Council meeting; Installation of (3) Iowa City Transit
BUS STOP signs.
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 (19), install (3) Iowa City Transit BUS STOP signs, (1) at Dubuque
Street / Market Street; (1) at Dubuque Street / Church Street; and (1) at Scott Boulevard /
Middlebury Road.
Comment:
This action is being taken at the request of Iowa City Transit to reflect changes in transit routes.
Mgr/agdilmslkr -busstop~middleburyrd, doc
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
Date: February 14,2007
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To: City Clerk
From: John Yapp, Acting JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner 7..4'/ ~
Re: Item for February 20 2007 City Council meeting: Addition of a NO PARKING
CORNER TO HERE sign on the north side ofF Street at 4th Avenue,
As directed by Title 9, Chapter I, Section 3B of the City Code, this is to advise the City
Council of the following action,
Action:
Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A(13), designate the north side of F Street as NO PARKING
CORNER TO HERE, from 4th Avenue to a point 30 feet west of the F Street / 4th Avenue
intersection.
Comment:
This action is being taken due to observance of vehicles consistently parking on the north
side of F Street at the 4th A venue intersection, leading to visibility issues at the F Street /
4th Avenue / Muscatine Avenue skewed intersection.
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Marian Karr
From: Anissa Williams
Sent: Friday, February 09, 2007 8:21 AM
To: 'M B'; 'City Council; Jeff Davidson; John Yapp
Cc: Ron Knoche; 'Schnoebelen, Jim [DOT]'; 'christopher-varo@uiowa.edu'
Subject: RE: Traffic Issues
Jane Johnson,
Our traffic engineering personnel have checked the traffic signals you mention and have found they are working
appropriately. I am sorry that you experienced such delay. According to the police blotter, there actually was a
collision on Riverside Drive and there also was a large event at Hancher. This could have increased the traffic
flow around the time you were traveling.
In reference to your other issues:
1. The traffic signals on Highway 6 are interconnected and timed for the traffic flow at different times during the
day.
2. In order to accommodate the vehicles that do turn left, without a left turn iane, this signal is timed appropriately.
3. The Heinz Road/Highway 6 signal allows a "protected" left only (green arrow) because of the high vehicle
speeds in that area. Our practice that is recommended by the DOT based on many safety studies shows that a
"permissive" left turn (green ball) should only be allowed when the speed is less than 35 miles per hour. There is
a significant reduction in crash rates when a "protected" left turn (green arrow) is only allowed when the speeds
are above 35 mph.
4. I believe the Highway 6 project was finished near on-time, perhaps a few weeks late.
5. The construction on the Burlington Street bridge is a project by the University and they are doing utility work
underground. I believe it should be completed by May pending any weather delays.
6. I am in the process of examining the Hwy 6/Sycamore Street intersection. Feel free to contact me later this
spring if you would like to know the recommendations. I do not know of any plans to add a right turn lane or any
other modifications to the Hwy 6/First Ave intersection.
Thank you for your concerns.
Anissa Williams
JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner
410 E. Washington SI.
Iowa City, IA 52240
(319) 356-5254
From: M B [mailto:rebeLwith_a_cause3@yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, February 07, 2007 6:52 PM
To: *City Council; Anissa Williams; Jeff Davidson; John Yapp
Subject: Traffic Issues
Hello all,
Please bear with me, I know this is long, but I want to make this as detailed and clear as I can.
2/9/2007
Page 20f2
I am a concerned tax payer who is extremely frustrated with the state of traffic conditions in the Iowa
City-Coralville "metro" area. Tonight it took me approximately 30 minutes to move less than half a
mile. That is ridiculous. I frequently take the same route (this particular complaint concerns the
southbound lane from Riverside by the DI Art Campus to the intersection of Highway 6 and Riverside),
and traffic is usually busy from 5-6 pm, when I was traveling, but it has never taken me that long to get
through this busy area. From what I can gather there was no impediment to traffic moving slowly. From
the intersection on Riverside by the art campus to the intersection at Riverside and Melrose, there were
no accidents, no traffic stops, nada, just balled up cars wasting gas and needlessly widening the hole in
the ozone layer. It seemed to be the traffic light at the intersection of Riverside and Melrose that was
screwing up traffic. The left hand turn light for north bound traffic went on longer than it should have
(went on much longer than there were cars in the turn lane, every single time I saw it) which kept the
straight-going south bound lanes from moving earlier. By the time the light turned green for southbound
traffic, it would only let a few cars through before turning red, hence backing up traffic rather severely.
I would like to note that traffic was not bottled up in the northbound lanes, whereas southbound was
bumper to bumper.
While I'm complaining, there are a few other traffic concerns I would like to address. (While I have
noticed deficiencies in traffic plarming in this area since before I moved here 3 years ago, this incident
has made me mad enough to finally contact someone.)
I. The lights on Highway 6 should be computerized. It would move traffic a lot faster and again, the less
stop and go traffic, the better for the enviromnent and my gas bills.
2. The light by the Vets hospital, on Riverside, that every once in a while (is it seasonal?) will
automatically light up the green arrow turn light for the west bound traffic, even though no one EVER
turns, thus keeping eastbound traffic at a standstill.
3. Concerning the newly put up traffic light at Heinz and Highway 6, for both west and east bound
traffic, there should be a green light and not just a green arrow for the left turn lanes (I live in the
glorious Saddlebrook complex and at certain times of the day it takes me substantially longer to get
through that intersection than if there wasn't a light, to me the good doesn't outweigh the bad and I
preferred it when there wasn't a light due to the timing issues).
4. Why did it take sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo long to finish the repairs to Highway 6
(Highway 6 near Heinz again)? They tore up the road, left for months without doing jack, than finally
finished it poorly. This whole process took from May to November....that's seems incredibly
unreasonable. (And I know this one isn't your fault, I was just wondering if you knew what the hold up
was or who I might contact in the state dept to figure out the problem was.)
5. When will the Burlington bridge construction be completed? What are they doing? Why has there
been road construction on the bridge the entire time I've lived here? Will it ever be completed?
6. This is much more minor, but a nuisance nonetheless, are there any plans to put righthand turn lanes
in the intersections of Highway 6 and Sycamore, and Highway 6 and First?
Thanks for your attention and I appreciate your responses.
Jane Johnson
Jane
We won't tell. Get more onshQwsYOllh,*to love
(and love to hate): Yahoo! TV's Guilty Pleasur~s list.
2/9/2007
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Marian Karr
From: Kathryn Johansen
Sent: Thursday, February 01,20074:03 PM
To: 'MonaShaw@aol.com'
Cc: 'City Council
Subject: RE: Bridges out of Poverty Workshop
Dear Mona,
Because your January nnd e-mail was time sensitive, it was distributed to Council and accepted as
correspondence at their January 23rd meeting. Please reference item 4f(9) under correspondence on the
January 23rd agenda.
Thank you for writing.
Sincerely,
Kathi Johansen
Administrative Assistant
to the City Manager
From: MonaShaw@aol.com [mailto:MonaShaw@aol.com]
Sent: Thursday, February 01, 2007 3:21 PM
To: *City Council
Subject: Fwd: Bridges out of Poverty Workshop
Hello,
I sent the attached correspondence on January 22, 2007. I noticed today that it was not included in the
Correspondence section of the Council's Feb. 6 meeting agenda. I was wondering what happened
Thanks for your help in this.
Sincerely,
Mona Shaw
2/2/2007
Page 10f4
Marian Karr
From: MonaShaw@aol.com
Sent: Monday, January 22, 2007 1 :56 PM
To: 'City Council
Cc: Ross Wilburn; Regenia Bailey; Amy Correia
Subject: Bridges out of Poverty Workshop
City Council of Iowa City
Council Members
410 E. Washington Street
Iowa City, IA 52240.
Dear Council:
I'm gravely concerned about a workshop being offered this weekend in Iowa City called "Bridges out of
Poverty." The workshop is sponsored by the Iowa City Housing Authority and is based on Ruby Payne's book,
"A Framework for Understanding Poverty." More than 1200 low-income people have been invited to attend.
A number of reputable scholars have debunked Payne's work as incompetent, right-wing propaganda,
inherently racist, and "downright dangerous." I'm honestly convinced this workshop will cause more harm than
do good.
I did copy a message of my concerns to Regenia Bailey in an email to another concerned person last week
when I learned of the workshop. I realize that my message likely failed to adequately convey the seriousness
of the problem. I have fleshed out the issue more below and also placed it on my blog, where it may be easier
to read, at lNWW.monashaw.com
I implore you to read this and if you share my concerns, please relay this to Iowa City Housing Authority. I
understand that it may be too late to cancel the workshop that is scheduled, but hopefully this program can be
pulled from offerings in the future.
Thanks for your time,
Mona Shaw
PO Box 10084
Iowa City, IA 52240
Comments on the work of Ruby Payne, and "Bridges out of Poverty" workshops
Class is the tow rope that pulls oppression. Its aching, twisting stretch for respectability churns the
undertow that drowns equality and erodes courage.
This high-gauge lash is dragging through a workshop this weekend (January 27, 2007) in a workshop
at the HACAP center on Waterfront Dr. called, "Bridges out of Poverty." The workshop is sponsored
by the Iowa City Housing Authority and is based on the work of Ruby Payne and her book, A
Framework for Understanding Poverty.
Payne's skill at self-promotion has been a good fit with educators eager for a quick fix in dealing with
poverty, and her popularity has rapidly surged with little or no honest investigation of her
competence. In fairness, it is flashes a beacon of hope to those who sincerely seek educational
equality for their students from low-income families. Confidence in Payne's methods, like Payne's
2/112007
Page 2 of 4
thesis, is based on collegial gossip and unsubstantiated and rather rare anecdotes of success.
The fundamental problem with Payne's thesis is that she doesn't know anything about poverty, let
alone the culture of poverty, either through direct experience or scholarly research.
Anita Perna Bohn, an assistant professor at Illinois State University, examined Payne's scholarship
and discovered that her work didn't meet any of the academic standards of research. I.e. There is no
documentation that Payne has ever been a serious scholar of poverty or the impoverished either
through academic or self-education. The "findings" in her self-published book are not verifiable,
reproducible or valid. Bohn goes on to say that Payne's methods are not only incompetent but
"downright dangerous" and states:
"On my first read-through of the [Payne's] "rules" I didn't know whether to laugh at the sheer
stupidity of some of them or to rage at the offensive stereotyping of people in poverty and the
thinly veiled bigotry reflected in others. I am still hard pressed to understand why ideas like this
have made Payne the hottest speaker/trainer on poverty on the public school circuit today. One
thing is certain, though: Ruby Payne has flown under the radar far too long. It's time for teachers
and administrators to take a critical look at her immensely popular message."
In fact, there's scant evidence that Payne has ever read a book about poverty, other than her own.
Her bibliography (consists entirely of authors with a right-wing, conservative, and economically
laissez faire perspective. It includes several books by Thomas Sowell, who has written position
papers against a minimum wage, affirmative action, the liberal media bias, universal health care, and
same sex marriage.
She has no reference to any of the scholarly titans in the field including, Shirley Bryce Heath,
Jonathan Kozol, Annette Lareau, and J.U. Ogbu.
Payne shares these political views and seeks to advance them in her work. She is a public
proponent of "No Child Left Behind," and cites Fox News as the authority for her statistics.
It's not only that Payne is a white, affluent, woman with no direct experience of poverty; she
regurgitates and reinforces the most vicious stereotypes of those who live in poverty. Payne
contends that people in poverty never plan, are slothful and undisciplined, talk funny, and don't care
about their children.
Payne's theory is far from new and basically an unimaginative rehashing of the bigotry that blames
poverty on those who are poor. She maintains that if "you people" would learn to talk, walk, and
dress like "us," you'd be fine. (Apparently she's unaware of the millions of those with Ph. D.s and
other advanced academic credentials working the same low-paying jobs as the working poor.)
This bias is outlined in the flyer distributed for the Iowa City workshop. The flyer states:
"You will be able to...
. Explain how economic realities and living in an economic class system affect patterns of living
and decision-making [Low income people are on to this.]
. Describe and teach the hidden rules of middle-class [These rules are hardly hidden and are
basically the problem.]
2/1/2007
Page 3 of4
. Understand the various language registers [It's okay to look down on you if I think you talk
funny.]
. Understand how to use discipline to bring about positive change [Working two to three jobs to
survive takes more discipline than"
The flaws in these teachings isn't only that they assume that most low-income people don't know
these things already, they deny that it is, in fact, middle-class and affluent America that has a whole
lot to learn from the low-income people about discipline, planning, and cultural linguistics.
One particularly perverse tactic used by Payne is to make fun of how the underclass tells a story.
Payne insists that a story must have a succinct beginning, middle, and an end without tangents or
colorful illustration. This exposes Payne's own aversion to knowing anymore than she wants to know
and lets the dominant culture that desperately needs some of this information off the hook for their
own class bigotry. Fortunately Payne's limitation here hasn't had more social acceptance, yet, or the
entire body of our most beautiful and powerful creative literature would be erased.
Payne denies the interlocking connections between class and race and gender. This has led to a
teaching manual specifically addressing the inherent racism in Payne's approach. In An African
Centered Response to Ruby Payne's Poverty Theory, by educational consultant, Jawanza Kunjufu,
Dr. Kunjufu asserts that "to provide an adequate education to students in poor communities requires
teaching students how to eliminate poverty" rather than meaningless middle-class mimicry. The case
he makes is solid and has led to several educational consultantships to debunk and/or clean up after
Payne's work.
A peer review of Payne's book, "Savage Unrealities" by Paul Gorski (an assistant professor in the
graduate school of education at Hamline University and founder of EdChange.org) refers to Payne's
standpoint as "horrifying."
"Payne argues that her work is not about race but about class. ... why does she paint such racist
portraits of the African-American and Latino families in her scenarios? Payne identifies violent
tendencies, whether in the form of gang violence or child abuse, in three of the four families of
color depicted in the vignettes, but not in any of the three white families. Each of the families of
color, but only one of three white families, features at least one unemployed or sporadically
employed working-age adult. Whereas two of the three white children have at least one stable
caretaker, three of the four children of color - Otis, who is beaten by his mother; Opie, who is
left in the care of her "senile" grandmother; and Juan, who is being raised by his gang-leader,
drug-dealer uncle - appear to have none."
Ruby Payne's workshop is not driven by informed educational practice but by a desire to foster a
conservative economic agenda. Given some (proportionately few) people of color adopt conservative
social and economic philosophies, it is safe to assume that the African Americans and Latinos that
Payne has recruited for her cause come from those philosophical ranks.
I recently watched a recording of this workshop that was presented last year and found the program
to be completely consistent with the fears and objections of Payne's critics.
This column is not an indictment. Well meaning people can be misinformed and otherwise misled. It
is a plea for more caution and thoroughness before we subject people to things that may do more
harm than good. Our helping agencies should not be exploited to advance a narrow political agenda.
Mona Shaw
2/112007
I]l[:
Marian Karr
From:
Sent:
To:
Ce:
Subject:
Kathryn Johansen
Thursday, February 08, 2007 11 :55 AM
'stephan-marsh@uiowa.edu'
'City Council
RE: Affordable Housing
Dear Stephan,
Thank you for your communication to the City Council. Council members do not receive their
email messages directly. Your message will be forwarded to them as part of their next
agenda and accepted as official correspondence. Please feel free to contact Council
members directly. Their names are listed on the City website at www.icgov.org. On the menu
bar click "council" and here you will find their contact information.
Thanks again for writing and best of luck with your story.
Sincerely,
Kathi Johansen
Administrative Assistant
to the City Manager
-----Original Message-----
From: stephan-marsh@uiowa.edu [mailto:stephan-marsh@uiowa.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, February 07, 2007 11:01 AM
To: *City Council
Subject: Affordable Housing
City Council Members,
My name is Stephan Marsh and I am a journalism student at the
University of Iowa. I am working on a story about affordable housing
in Iowa City, more specifically the construction of new housing in
Iowa City. I would like to include recent progress in the development
of such housing, including location, plans already in progress, costs,
and the residents who would benefit most from this project. I know
the topic has been around for a long time, but I am most interested in
what is happening now. I would like to ask you some questions on the
topic soon. If you could get back to me on this issue as soon
as possible, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Stephan Marsh
1
Marian Karr
r::::
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Terry Trueblood
Tuesday, February 13, 2007 12:46 PM
'sgoetzelman@hotmail.com'
'City Council
RE: Snow covered bicycle racks
Mr. Goetzelman,
There are many bike racks in the downtown area. With regard to snow removal, some of them
are our responsibility, but most are not. It is our internal policy to remove snow from
around the bike racks for which we are responsible. These include the racks immediately
adjacent to public buildings (i.e. City Hall, Library and Recreation Center), and also
those in or immediately adjacent to the ped Mall. All the others would be the
responsibility of the adjacent property/business owner. Having said that, however, while
they are required by City Code to remove snow and ice from the sidewalk in front of their
respcective building, there is no such requirement for the area surrounding bike racks.
The City can encourage these businesses to keep the bike racks cleared, and I will discuss
this with the appropriate City staff, but we cannot require them to do so, unless the City
Code is changed. You, as a citizen, could also encourage them to do this.
With regard to the bike racks for which we are responsible, I'm afraid we have fallen
short at times, and corrective action has been taken. We hope you find the situation much
improved in the future. I do want you to understand, however, that this is not our
highest priority when it comes to snow removal. It is necessary for us to concentrate on
clearing the traffic lanes first (both pedestrian and vehicular), and then coming back to
the bike racks, which may not be done the same day.
Should you have any other questions about this feel free to contact me.
Terry Trueblood
Director of Parks & Recreation
-----Original Message-----
From: Terry Trueblood
Sent: Monday, February 12, 2007 9:53 AM
To: 'sgoetzelman@hotmail.com'
Subject: FW: Snow covered bicycle racks
This has been forwarded to me for response. There are many bicycle racks in the downtown
area. If you could give me an idea as to a specific location where the problem exists it
would be helpful. Thanks.
Terry Trueblood
Director of Parks & Recreation
-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Goetzelman [mailto:sgoetzelman@hotmail.com]
Sent: Friday, February 09, 2007 2:26 PM
To: *City Council
Subject: Snow covered bicycle racks
Hello,
I am once again contacting you regarding the downtown bicycle racks and snow. It seems to
be policy to pile all snow removed from sidewalks on the bicycle racks. This makes them
very difficult to use and there are people in town who desire to use them no matter the
weather! Snow can be piled anywhere, why must it be on our bicycle racks? Your attention
to this matter is appreciated.
Sincerely,
Steve Goetzelman
632 Reno St
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t:::
Marian Karr
From: Dale Helling
Sent: Wednesday, February 14, 2007 10:03 AM
To: 'Golm1 Kate@aol.com'
Cc: 'City Council; Jann Ream
Subject: RE: 523 church street
Dear Mr. Volm,
Thank you for your email to the City Council regarding the proposed greenhouse addition to your garage.
Council members do not receive their email directly. Your correspondence will be forwarded to them and will be
officially received as part of the consent agenda of their upcoming regular meeting. If you wish to communicate
with individual Council members directly, you can access their names and telephone numbers from the City
web site at wwv,l,icgo\i.org Click on "Council" on the red menu bar and then select the "web page" for
individual Council members you wish to contact.
It is my understanding that you have conversed with Jann Ream in the Department of Housing and Inspection
Services and that she has explained the related zoning regulations and has pointed out some possible
alternatives that would be permitted. Please do not hesitate to consult with her further should you have
questions or need further clarification regarding application of the zoning code.
Sincerely,
Dale Helling, Assistant City Manager
From: Golm1Kate@aol.com [mailto:Golm1Kate@aol,com]
Sent: Sunday, February 11, 2007 6:16 PM
To: *City Council
Subject: 523 church street
This correspondence will become a public record.
I have a unique situation. My property, 523 Church Street, has two front yards according the zoning office.
I have a free standing double, garage that is heated. I would like to place a small greenhouse in the driveway in
front of one of the garage doors.
I have found the materials to use at Habitat for Humanity. They will help with the construction, they liked the
idea so much, and can use the publicity.
The problem is the garage drive access is on a small segment of North Johnson Street, it is the only driveway
that is off this part of North Johnson.
I was told by the Zoning Commission that I could not place anything in the drive way, because it is considered
'front' of the house.
The situation is a little amusing, when you look at the area in context, so I will include photos.
My drive way is next to a parking lot with a dumpster (a greenhouse might help) and the house kitty corner to
the driveway has a considerable amount of stuff built up in front.
2/14/2007
Page 2 of 5
2/14/2007
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Page 5 of 5
Please look over the pictures and let me know what you think..
Could I consider the greeenhouse as 'art'? or neighborhood beautication?
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Timothy G. Volm
523 Church Street,
Iowa City, Iowa 52245
1-319-541-4939
2114/2007
c;:
,
February 12, 2007
To Mayors and Members of the Coralville, Iowa City and North Liberty City Councils
and Manager of the Cambus System at the University of Iowa,
Two years ago I moved to Coralville. It is wonderful to be part of such a vibrant, forward
thinking community and area. I appreciate the hard work and cooperation on the part of
our city governments and the university to achieve the quality of life we enjoy here.
I would like to give input on an idea for improving services and protecting the
environment in the Iowa City-Coralville-North Liberty community.
Recently, I attended a training for my job at the University of North Carolina in Chapel
Hill, NC. While I was there, I learned how the city and university work together to make
bus transportation free to students and everyone in the community.
The people I talked to in Chapel Hill are enthusiastic about their transportation system.
They cited many benefits to having free public transportation for everyone. The
widespread use of the bus system reduces traffic problems. The University of Iowa
website states, "Parking can be hectic and even nightmarish at times in communities and
areas surrounding the University of Iowa." People in Chapel Hill report that parking is
less problematic now that buses are used more widely for transportation. People in
Chapel Hill said that all sectors of the university and community use the bus system. But
there is an obvious economic benefit to families with limited resources who are better
able to access the businesses and services they need.
With the current concern about global warming and carbon emissions, encouraging use of
public transportation is a significant way to protect the environment now and for future
generations. I have enclosed a recent article from the Iowa City Press-Citizen that quotes
our world's leading climate scientists and government leaders, warning that global
warming is already so severe that it will impact our planet for centuries. Yet they are
hopeful that we will now take action to reduce the most devastating effects of greenhouse
gases which cause global warming.
I appreciate the opportunity to present this idea to reallocate resources to make public
transportation free in our community. I am sure that you are exploring many other ways
to help us be good stewards of our resources and help to protect our environment now
and for our children and grandchildren. Thank you!!
r-.,~
Sincerely, 0 C~
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Mary Crooks r
1482 Valley View Drive / ~4-1
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Coralville, IA 52241 ,."-~ - <J
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CC Iowa City Press-Citizen
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Transportation Department
16A Iowa City Press-Cltizen Fe-b. 3, 2007 Chapel Hill, North Carolina
, . Contact Information
Rep. ort: Global warmmg.' Stephen S!'ade, Dire~tor
. , 1089 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
uns to' p. p'R'ble 'of'centuri'es- Chapel Hill, NC 27514
11 Phone: 919-968-2755
Fax: 919-968-2840
-The Associalett Press not too IateJor her grandchildren.
The report was the Iirstoffour- Responsibilities
PARIS - Global warming is to be released this year by the
SOi'~I\,,thatitwill"continueror panel, which was cfeated by the The primary mission of the Transportation Department is to
cenltiries(:leadfug to afar differ- United Nations inl988. ltfOlmd: provide safe, convenient, affordable, reliable, and responsive
entplanetm 100 yearn, warned-a . GlobaIwamung IS "very like- bl' t rt t' 't 'd t d' 't f th
grim landmark report from the Iy"causedbyman,meaningmore pU IC ranspo a Ion services 0 resl en san VISI ors 0 e
world's leadingc1imate scientists .than90percentcertain. That's the Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and University of North Carolina
and government officials, Yetslrongest exp""!SiOltof certainty communities' to be accessible efficiently operated and
many of the experts are hopeful. to date from the panel. ,'. ' ,
thatIlatiODs now will take acti!)n . If nothing is done to change supportive of a healthy environment and a sustainable local
to avoid the worst scenarios. current emiSsions-patterns of economy' and to connect and coordinate with other
They tried to warn of dire greenhouse gases, global tern- rt' , , th R h T . I 'd'
risks wi1hout scaring people so peratore could increase as much transpo, atlon means In e. esearc nang earea pravl Ing an
much they'd do nothing - irulI;- as 11 degrees Fahrenheit by alternative for local and regional travel.
lion that could lead to the worst 2100_
possible scenarios, . BUt if the world does get Duties of the divisions of the Transportation Department include:
"It's not too late," said greenhouse gas emissions under
Australian scientist Nathaniel control - something scientists , ", , ,
mndoff, a co-author of the ~theyhopecanbedone-the . Fixed-route bus services, EZ rider service for the moblllty-
aniltoritative Intergovernmental best estimate is about 3 degrees challenged, and shared-ride service for the communities of
Panel on CIimate Change report Fahrenheit. Ch I H'II C b d th U' 't f N rth C I'
issued Friday, The worst can be -. Sea leYeIs are projected to ape, I, arr oro an e nlverSI y 0 0 . aro Ina.
prevented by acting quickly to rise 7 to 23 inchei! ,by. ltui eild.of . Operation of the Tar Heel Express - a park and nde shuttle
curl> .greenhouse gas emissions, the cen.tury<Ad~,,!,,(jH'7"4to 8 service for special events. \
he~~ worst could mean more ~~~=~':i~~:, . Oversi~ht of the taxi franchise app~ovals and renewals
. than 1 milliondeadandhundreds-SeaJ""etrise~dgetworse . according to the Town Code of Ordinances.
of billions of dollars in costs by after that.; BY. 2100;'jfnothing. is i __ _' __'
2100, said Kevin Trenberilt of the done to ctirb~ons"t4e melt- .: ----.. ~
National ~ter for Atmospheric ing.of~reenIand'sice~wouId. 2. How do I pay? . '(\i ). 'iD \jMOl
Research m Colorado, one?f be mevitl!ble and th~W?rld's seas, All standard routes are fare-free. Fares are still chargedYI6f,Tarth\elJi:mress, Orange Express
many stody co-anthors. He S31d eventually would. me ,by more ( db ,," 't" k' :"'. ,
that adapting will mean living. than 29 feet, Bindo!'f.said operate y Orange PublIc TranSit), and TT A (operated by nangle Transit Authonty). Shared
withmoreextremeweailtersuch Given. a1Ithedirepredicti.'ons, '..RideEveninglSunday . 1 "." I (":'llOIj7
as severe droUghts, more hurri- whyarescientistsnearlyalIopti- ~_,_ __,___' ____ ~_ ,,~U,~-J C\., ,--'-"-
canes andwiI~. mistic? They think their message
"R's later tl1an we tllink," said finally. ..-is.getting..' through. to the "" \ i \ I
panel C<>dulirwoman Susan people in charge, l l' .., I:J
Solomon, the u.s. National Oceanic ,Pri!t:e<il-//I1ionsenvfronniental f " .. -~
and Atmospheric . ~on l~ers ~taIking ab!lut a global
scienfio;t who heIped pIIlh tl)rough silWnihon;;,climate dWlgeCfor
thedocumenfssQ'Onglanguage,_ wOrld lMil~ and,;they hope'
Solomon. who remains. opti- President Bush will attend
ern
Marian Karr
From: Mayor, City of Marion Unieland@cityofmarion.org]
Sent: Wednesday, February 07, 2007 10:20 AM
To: john.crews@ci.cedar-falls.ia.us; jfausett@ci.coralville.ia.us; mayor@hiawatha-iowa.com; .City
Council; david.franker@northliberty.org; mayor@waterloo-ia.org
Subject: Task Force
Gentlemen:
I am writing you to ask that you consider joining the City of Marion in a Task Force. This Federal Task Force gives
local communities the opportunity
to take action against businesses that employ undocumented or falsely documented immigrants.
Before you make a decision, I ask you to please contact your local union representatives to determine the extent
of the problem in your city. I was unaware
that a problem existed until I was approached by a drywall contractor from Iowa City. He indicated that he was
constantly being under bid by what he thought was a sub-contractor using illegal workers. At first I just assumed
he was not competitive in his bids. However, I followed up with the construction unions in Cedar Rapids. They
confirmed that indeed there is a problem and ask if there was any way I could assist them to combat the use of
illegal workers in the "trades" construction field
I then contacted the U.S. Attorney's office and had a meeting with Charles Larson, Sr the U.S. Attorney for our
District. (now retired). He suggested that a federal task force be formed. It would operate under a program called
I.C.E.
The City of Marion has been providing an officer to the Federal Drug Task Force and we believe that it has
provided great dividends. We will be providing an officer for the I.C.E. task force.
I have received a great deal of support from across the U.S. and from local union members as well as local sub-
contractors.
You can receive detail information about the I.C.E. program by contacting Resident Agent Mike Vail at 319-364-
3280.
The contractor that first spoke to me has since had to close shop and layoff what workers he had.
Please inform me of you decision.
Mayor John Nieland
319-743-6303
1225 6th Avenue
Marion, IA 52302
21712007
QT[]
Marian Karr
From: Jim Kennedy [kenntack@ameritech.net]
Sent: Sunday, February 04, 2007 7:35 PM
To: Karen Howard; .City Council
Subject: Northside Marketplace focus group
Iowa City Council:
My name is Marlene Tack, and I am the daughter of Jean Tack who lives in downtown Iowa. On a
recent visit to Iowa City, I saw the notice in the paper about the focus groups inviting ideas about
the Northside Marketplace area.
Although I do not live in Iowa City, I would like to put forth the idea that an Assisted Living facility
be developed in the area for the growing aging population of Iowa City. These elderly citizens may
have some functional limitations, but would still be able to take advantage of the nearby senior
center, the many restaurants, the library, the cultural opportunities and offerings, and the many
businesses that are in the downtown area. Maintaining quality of life is a major issue for older folks,
and living downtown near all these amenities and opportunities would significantly enhance and
contribute to a high quality of life.
I appreciate your consideration of this idea. I know my mother benefits greatly from living
downtown and would like to continue to do so even when she cannot live 100% independently.
Sincerely,
Marlene Tack
7819 5th Ave.
Kenosha, WI 53143
262-654-4669
2/5/2007