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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-08-01 Info Packet of 7/18 CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION PACKET CITY OF IOWA CITY July 18, 2002 www.icgov.org I M,scE. .Eous .*EMS I IPt City Council Meeting Schedule and Work Session Agendas IP2 Letter from Mayor to Jaycees: Appreciation for 4th of July Fireworks Show IP3 Memorandum from Council Member Kanner to Deer Task Force: Zoning, Development, and Deer IP4 Letter from Robert Downer to City Manager: James and Sandra Thomas IP5 Memorandum from City Clerk: Use of City Letterhead IP6 Letter from Carol Thompson (JC Board of Supervisors) to City Clerk: SEATS Paratransit Advisory Committee IP7 Memorandum from Planning and Community Development Assistant Director: Traffic Issues in Manville Heights IP8 Memorandum from Planning and Community Development Assistant Director: Lexington Avenue Traffic Calming Barricade; Comments from July 15 City Council Work Session IP9 Iowa City Police Department P.A.U.L.A. Report - June 2002 IP10 Iowa City Housing and Inspection Services Customer Service Survey - July 2002 IPll Minutes: May 16 PATV Board of Directors ~ City Council Meeting Schedule and :u~y~=,~uu~ CITY OF IOWA CITY Work Session Agendas www.icgov.org TENTATIVE FUTURE MEETINGS AND AGENDAS · MONDAY, AUGUST 19 Emma J. Harvat Hall 5:00p Special Council Formal Meeting Agenda TBD Council Work Session Joint Meeting: Airport Commission Neighborhood Housing Relations Task Force Recommendations Fire Strategic Plan Racial Profiling Remaining Agenda TBD · TUESDAY, AUGUST 20 Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:00p Council Formal Meeting · MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 Labor Day Holiday - City Offices Closed · MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 Emma J. Harvat Hall 6:30p Special Council Work Session · TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:00p Special Council Formal Meeting · MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 6:30p Emma J. Harvat Hall 6:30p Special Council Work Session · TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 7:00p Emma Jo Harvat Hall Special Council Formal Meeting Meeting dates/limes/topics subject to change FUTURE WORK SESSION ITEMS Regulation of Downtown Dumpsters Downtown Historic Preservation Comprehensive Plan Update Opening of First Avenue Age of Consent CITY OF IOWA CITY 410 East Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240-1826 (319) 356-5000 (319) 356-5009 FAX www.lcgov.org July 17, 2002 Mr. Mark Phelps Jaycees PO Box 2358 Iowa City, IA 52244-2358 Dear Mark: On behalf of the City Council, I would like to thank you for the work of the Jaycees to organize and carryout the excellent 4th of July fireworks show. We have received many positive comments from residents and visitors who enjoyed the event. Please pass along our sincere appreciation to the many Jaycees who made the fireworks show possible. Sincerely yours, Ernest W. Lehman Mayor cc: City Council Cd*y Councdmember. Towa Cd'y. Home Address: 630 S. Governor, #I, Iowa City, Iowa 52240 (319)338-8865 TO: The Iowa City Deer Task Force FROM: Steven Kanner ~z~:/~ DATE: 7/17/02 RE: Zoning, Development and Deer I was reading a newspaper clipping about another subject when I noticed the following quote.from the Cedar Rapids Gazette, 4/28/96. (I don't have the entire article.) The article makes the connection between development and deer. Thought you might find it interesting. "A new policy goal suggested for the North Corridor Plan, which outlines objectives for development in northern Johnson County between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, targets 'preventing loss of natural resources,' including wildlife habitat. (Don) Pfeiffer (a DNR district wildlife supervisor) would like to see zoning play an active role, as well as the creation of'covenants' that would keep certain land undeveloped. 'Are we willing to do those things?' he said. Otherwise, Pfeiffer said, a scenario becoming familiar to DNR and animal shelter staff all over Iowa will continue to play itself out until it's too late. It starts with a family building a new house in the woods. 'They're not going to fence offthe area and plant trees, they're going to mow it.' PfeHTer said. 'When the deer come and get into their yard they're going to complain, too. When the woodchuck starts eating their peas and the foundation boards on their house they're going to want to know how to get rid of it. 'The woodpeckers who live in the trees, which they had taken out, will start pecking at their cedar wood siding because insects are laying eggs in there. The woodpeckers don't appreciate the beauty of that siding. The homeowners are going to call up the DNR and say, 'This bird is pecking at my house, what can I do about it.' 'Well, go back to town, they didn't bother you there. But you can't tell people that.' cc: Karin Franklin City Council MEAEDON, SU£PPF..t. & DOWN¢m P.L.C. WlLLI.Ad~I L, MEARIDON LAWY-r.R$ dAMF.~ O, MCCARRAOHER IOWA CI'TY, IOWA 52~:~40 - 1830 DOUOLA8 D, RUPPERT June 13, 2002 MR. STEPHEN J. ATKINS CITY MANAGER CITY OF IOWA CITY 410 E WASHINGTON IOWA CITY IA 52240 Re: James and Sandra Thomas 131 N FirstAve Iowa City, IA 52245 Dear Steve: Mr. and Mrs. James Thomas, who own the property at 131 N First Avenue in Iowa City have consulted me with respect to certain difficulties that they have experienced over the past twelve (12) years with regard to a City-mandated walkway located between their property and the Montclair Park Apartments, and providing pedestrian access between Rita Lyn Court and First Avenue. They are also concerned about City requests that they construct a sidewalk across the front of their vacant lot located south of their residence. It is my understanding that Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have had other legal issues with respect tothe City of Iowa City, but this letter will deal only with the matters referenced above, and my representation is only with respect to these matters. When Rita Lyn Court was platted in 1987 a Walkway Easement was given to the City of Iowa City. A copy of that Easement is enclosed. It should be noted that this Easement does specifically run to the City and not to a homeowners association or other entity. At the same time there was entered into between Oakes Construction Company as developer and the City of Iowa City a "Facilities Maintenance Agreement and Declaration of Covenants." I am also enclosing a copy of this agreemenL This walkway was treated as a "common element~' under Section IA(a) of that agreemenL Section 2.1 of that agreement provides for the establishment of an association, known as June 13, 2002 Page 2 of 4 the "Rochester Place Homeowners' Association" as "the governing body for all of the Lot Owners for the maintenance, repair, replacement, administration and operation of the common elements, as provided in this declaration, and the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Association." Section 3 of the agreement provides for dealing with common expenses, and Section 4.2(a) makes maintenance of common elements the responsibility and expense of the Association. The Bylaws of the Association were attached to that agreement, and it is clear that all of the elements of the subdivision documents, including those recited above, were a part of the terms and conditions upon which the subdivision was approved by the City Council in Resolution No. 87-300. It is my understanding that the Rochester Place Homeowners' Association has never been established, which has resulted in Mr. and Mrs. Thomas being required, by virtue of their proximity to the Walkway, to assume the expenses of maintenance of the walkway over the period of time that they have occupied the property. This situation would not have arisen had the City taken the action contemplated by the subdivision documents in causing the Rochester Place Homeowners' Association to be established and activated. As the owner or only two of the 22_lots within the subdivision Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are certainly not in a position to secure compliance with the subdivision documents on the part of other owners within the subdivision, nor should this be their responsibility. They justifiably relied upon the subdivision documents in purchasing their property. In section 6.6 of the Facilities Maintenance Agreement the City is granted the rights and remedies of the assedation ff it fails to acc We would submit that this also implies a duty to act under the circumstances present in this matter. It has been my reaction that the City of Iowa City has done an excellent job in enforcing the requirements that it has imposed ~ipon subdividers of Preperty, thereby assuring that the terms and conditions representing a basis for approval of the subdivision have been fulfilled. This, obviously, is not the case here, however, and this action has had the effect of denying Mr. and Mrs. Thomas equal protection of the laws in violation of the Constitutions of the United States and of the State of Iowa. Such a cause of action has recently been recognized by the United States Supreme Court in the case of Village ofW~llowbrook v. Olech, 528 U.S. 562 (2000). The holding of the court was to the effect that a claim for an equal protection violation is stated merely by alleging differential treatment with no rational basis. Mr. Stephen J, Atldns June 13, 2002 Page 3 of 4 The subdivision documents cited above establish that it was not ini~nded either by the subdivider or by the City that the burden for maintaining and insuring the walkway be placed upon the owners of the lot upon which the walkway is local~[. However, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are placed in the position of either having to cause this maintenance to occur themselves and at their expense or to allow unsightly and unsafe conditions to exist in close proximity to their residence. Obviously, neither of these arrangements represents a satisfactory approach to this problem. With respect to liability insurance coverage, section 3.5(a) of the Facilities Management Agreement provides for public liability insurance with endorsements to cover liabilities of the lot owners, jointly and severally, and the City. This, of course, is a more significant concern to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas because of the presence of the walkway and the storm water detention area upon their property. The lack of liability insurance coverage has exposed Mr. and Mrs. Thomas and their homeowners' insurance carrier to liability that rightly should be that of the Association's carrier. The Thomas' have expended a number of thousand of dollars over the years in maintaining the walkway in terms of lawn care, snow and ice removal and keeping the area free of debris. Existing Iowa law recognizes the right of property owners to recover these expenses where they are unduly burdened and others are unduly benefited. See Brenlwood Subdivision Road Association, Inc. v. Cooper, et al, 461 N.W.2d 340 (Iowa App. 1990), Kep/er v. Border, 179 Iowa 318, 161 N.W. 302 (1917). It would further appear that the walkway, as it has b~en u~liTed, constitutes a nuisance as the same relates to the Thomas' property. In this connection I am enclosing a copy of a letter from Chief of Police Winkelhake to Mr. Thomas dat~l September 26, 2000 in which there are detailed numerous incidents of trespassing llmt appear to relate, at least in part, to the existence of the walkway. It should be noted that these eight incidents 'occurred over a period of less than three years. I have also been advised that similar occurrences have taken place since Chief Wlrikelhake's letter. As you are probably aware, the Public Works Department has been in contact with Mr. and Mrs. Thomas with regard to construction of a sidewalk along First Avenue on the lot immediately south of their residence. Section 4 of the Agreement between the City and the subdivider, a copy of which is enclosed, provides that sidewalks would be installed within one year from the date the City Council approves the subdivision plaL This obviously did not occur, and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas do not feel that it should be their responsibility to 'install the sidewalk nearly 15 years after the date contemplated by this Agreement in view of the fact that the City has failed to enforce the provisions of this Agreement. Mr..Stephen J. Atk~ June 13, 2002 Page 4 of 4 We would very much like to discuss this matter with you and the appropriate members of your staff to resolve the problem both as it relal~ to the Thomas' damages and to bring about a permanent resolution to this problem. As a part of this resolution consideration should be given to vacating this easement and removal of the sidewalk because of the impact which the sidewalk has on the Thomas' property. I will appredate hearing from you or from others on your staff with regard to the manner in which we might bring about a resolution of this problem without the necessity of legal acUon. Robert N. Downer RND/bjf Cc: Mr. and Mrs. James Thomas c.F .............. 19~7 I,y ~rld b~t,een OAK,S CON~T~UCTZO~ CO~PAN'/, the owne~ and ~ub~ivfde~', he~ein~fte= called the "SUB- he/'~inaft~r ca2led the "CITY". ~jO~ 1~ C0NSIOERA~ON aNO COVENANT SECTIQN 2~ STORZ W~TER ORDfNANC~ ~OMPLiANCE AND COVENaNT~,. :AECT~0g_ 3~ C~.~STRUCTION O~ IMPROVEMENTS .vo~ 8~0 ~,~ 64,?. within the subdivision, that the Subdivider deposit in esorow The City may aisc ~equtre, aa a condition to the Issu- ance cE a butidtng permit on any lot in the subdivision, that the that the eubd£vider or any lot owner fails to &ccomplteh erosion authorized to dc such work and to charge the coat thereof to the provided that nothing herei~ shall be construed es requirin~ the City to do, such cleanup. turned to such individual lot owner within 30 days e£ter an oc- cupancy perntit has been ~.asued fo~ said lot, provided that ell erosion control mea~ure~ shall have been completed before the lot owner shall be entitled to de~and the return of said escrow deposit. C~TY OF' IOWA CITY, rowh SUBDIV/-DER _ ~AR~AN K. KARR, C ~TATE OF I0~ >SS: COUNTY OF JOHNSON > corporation, by it voluntarily oxeo~,ed.~~~~ N~A~Y PUBLZC NOTARIAL SEAL s~,nally appeared Dean O. Oake~ and Evelyn H, Oakes,' on behalf of the Corporation by authority of its Board voluntary .~ct and de~,d o~ the Corpo~atton, by ~% and ~ them City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM DATE: July 18, 2002 TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Marian K. Kan', City Clerk RE: Use of City Letterhead At your Work Session of July 15 Council requested a copy of the policy concerning use of City Letterhead by individual Council Members. This matter was discussed by the City Council and City Council Rules Committee in 1989. Attached are the minutes of both meetings for your review. Motions passed unanimously on the adoption of the policy. CITY COUNCIL RULES COMMITTEE September 19, 1989 RULES COMMITTEE: Meeting of September 19, 1989, 7:05 PM COMMITI'EE MEMBERS PRESENT: Ambrisco, McDonald COMMrI'rEE MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFFMEMBERS PRESENT: Karl, Cain DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE Ambrisco noted that all other Boards and Commissions had definite terms and that this Committee had indefinite terms. Staffmember Patt Cain stated that the proposed by-laws are written to reflect the existing situation without having to go back and change the enabling resolution and the Committee did discuss having revolving, definite terms and decided to wait until they might have other changes that would necessitate an amendment to the resolution at a later time. She noted Committee discussions regarding resignations occurring and membership tending to turn-off; recommending certain types of membership to include design professions and sort of setting up categories as other Commissions have. No formal recommendations were made at this time. Cain stated that the Committee did not have formal by-laws and these were closely patterned after other City Board and Commission by-laws~ Cain said there was nothing particularly unusual about the proposed by-laws except for the indefinite terms. The Rules Committee recommends approval of the by-laws as presented. OTHER COUNCIL POLICY ISSUES Use of City Letterhead by Councilmembers McDonald asked that the Rules Committee consider recommending to Council that any Councilmember that utilizes City stationery for correspondence purposes, whatever they might be, that the rest of the Council be copied. McDonald noted that Councilmembers may correspond with whoever they choose but that correspondence takes on an official position when it goes out on City stationery. The Commit- tee agreed that the copy need not be distributed prior to its mailing. The Committee went on to say that when a piece of correspondence is prepared in such a way as to infer to the recipient that it reflects the entire mood of Council that it go out under the Mayor's signature only, or that it be distributed to Council prior to its mailing. Committee members noted situations where a piece of corre- spondence could be inferred as the mood of the Council when in fact it was the mood of an individual member. Ambrisco noted that the Charter and the City Code states that the Mayor is the official spokesperson for Council and he would prefer that protocol be kept in tact. Members noted exCeptions to the policy for the Mayoral correspondence signed on a daily basis or viewed as formality. This recommendation will be presented to Council at their October 3rd meeting. Meeting adjourned 7:20 PM. Agenda Iowa City City Council Regular Council Meeting October 3, 1989 Page 17 ITEM NO, 11 - RECOMMENDATIONS OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS, a. Consider recommendations from the City Council Rules Committee: (1) That the proposed by-laws as presented by the Design Review Committee be adopted, (2) That the Council adopt a policy that any Councilmember who utilizes City stationery for correspondence purposes copy the Council, and that any correspondence that infers to reflect the entire mood of the entire Council be signed by the Mayor. At their meeting of September 19, 1989, the Council Rules Committee discussed the above-mentioned items. Minutes of the meeting are included in your Council packet. Adoption of the Design Review Committee by-laws are included on this agenda as Item No. 12. If Council concurs with recommendation #2, a motion should be made and a vote taken. Action: / b. Consider a recommendation of the Design Review Committee that the City Plaza Ordinance be revised to eliminate provision for ambulatory vendors except In cases of special events and festivals, Comment: As a result of recent difficulties in enforcing ambulatory vending regulations on the City Plaza, the Design Review Committee was asked to reassess the conditions for allowing this use. If the City Council concurs with this recommendation, it should be referred to the City staff for preparation of an ordinance amendment. c, Consider a recommendation of the Committee on Community Needs that the 1990-1992 Community Development Plan be adopted, This item is on the agenda as item No. 14. Council Activities October 3, 1989 Page 7 Moved by Larson, seconded by Horowitz, that the correspondence from Ms. Edwards be accepted. The Mayor declared the motion carried unanimously, 7/0, all Councilmen~b. ers present. The Mayor announced the following vacancy: Senior Center Commission - one vacancy for an unexpired term ending 12/31/91. This appointment will be made at the 11/1'4/89, Couhcil meeting. Moved by Ambrisco, seconded by Horowitz, to re-appoint D. Roger Bruner, 3016 Raven Street and Loren Horton, 3367 Hanover Ct., to the Riverfront Commission for three-year terms ending 12/1/S2. The Mayor declared the motion carried unanimously, 7/0, all:Councilmembers present. Cour~ney noted a recent letter to the editor in the Press-Citizen regarding hous. ing discrimination and asked what avenues people had who wished to follow-up The. City Manager explained that Individuals could pursue such claims through HUDor through the City's Human Rights Ordinance, noting that our ordinance was stronger than the HUD regulations. Courtney asked that information be distributed through our Leased Housing Program. Courtney announced that the Convention and Visitors Bureau had hired a new Executive Director, Wendy Roe, and urged everyone to stop by during a reception in her honor on 10/12. Horowitz reminded everyone that Saturday, 10/14, is Toxic Clean-Up Day in Iowa City and encouraged everyone to participate. Any questions should be addressed to the Johnson County Health Department. Kubby noted the event was due to the persistence of the Health Department and Environmental Advocates. Horowitz Said the League of Women Voters will sponsor a legislative forum at the Senior Center from 5:00 to 7:30 on 10/4. Ambrisco noted a recent speech by University President Hunter Rawlings concerning a more pedestrian campus and questioned if the proposal involved the closing of the Iowia 'Avenue bridge. McDonald stated the proposal did not include closing the bridge and th~at speech centered around long range goals and a general overview of ideas. He felt the City would have an ample opportunity to discuss these ideas with the University. The City Manager .stated that a joint committee has not been formulated to date but that the Fire Department and .P..Ublic Works Department had reviewed the proposal. I. arson praised the efforts of staff:~d the owners of the Cliff Apartments on continuing to address the problem of erosion behind the aP. artments. Larson stated he was impressed with their plans and noted that the completion of ~eir plans will not be hindered by the end of the construction season. Kubby noted the success of the recycling program within the City offices and urged the University to get i~olvedi The Mayor noted the recommendation from the City Council Rules Committee that the proposed by-laws as presented by the Design Review Committee be adopted. Staffmember Part Cain stated that it was important that the Committee establish by-laws and that they would be coming back to Council with changes after the Committee had an opportunity to address certain issues. One item that will be looked at would be the question of indefinite~erms of members. Moved by Ambriso, seconded by Horowitz, to approve the recommendation of the City Council Rules Committee that the Council adopt a policy that any Councilmember ~vho ,ut~ilizes City Stationery for correspondence purposes copy the Council, and that any correspondence that infers to reflect the entire mood of the entire Council'be signed by the .Mayor. IP6 lJohnson County Carol Thompson, Chai~erson Pat H~ey Mike Le~ ' .' ~ Terence Neuzil .: Sally Stutsm~ July 11, 2002 Marian Kart City Clerk 410 East Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Dear Marian: During the formal meeting of the Board of Supervisors on July 11, 2002, the Board appointed two new representatives to serve on the Johnson County SEATS Paratransit Advisory Committee. Jim Gaffey was not re-appointed, because he left the agency representing the SEATS Paratransit Advisory Committee as an ex-officio member. The Board replaced Keith Ruff, because he had served two consecutive terms. Nancy Ostrognai, Dave Purdy and William Gorman were re-appointed. Lyrme Stamus is qualified to be a consumer member instead of an ex-officio member. The Board appointed Ms. Stamus as a consumer member and her term expires June 30, 2004. I have enclosed for your reference an updated list of names and addresses of representatives on this committee. If you have any questions, please feel free to give me a call Sincerely, Carol Thompson ~ Chairperson CT/jh Enclosure HSBoards~Commission~SEATS ParaTransit Advisory Committee\Letter to City Clerics 913 SOUTH DUBUQUE STREET, SUITE 201 IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240-4207 TEL: (319) 356-6000 FAX: (319) 356-6036 TERM TERM BEGINS EXPIRES Melvin Dvorsky July 1 June 30 320 East Washington Street 2001 2003 Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Res: 338-0850 Doris Gerot (Replace Robert Simpson) July 1 June 30 4547 520th Street SE 2001 2003 Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Res: 351-7993 Mike O'Donnell - Appointed by the Iowa City City July 1 June 30 City of Iowa City Representative Council 2001 2003 City of Iowa City 410 East Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Res: 356-5000 Appointed by the Coralville Tom Gill (Replaced Henry Herwig) City Council July 1 June 30 City of Coralville Representative 2002 2004 808 8th Avenue Coralville, Iowa 52241 Res: 351-4571 Nancy Ostrognai July i June 30 2003 Glendale Road 2002 2004 Iowa City, Iowa 52245 Res: 338-7690 Lynne Stamus (Replaced Keith Ruff) July 1 June 30 2318 Russell Drive 2002 2004 Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Res: 354-1390 Dee Vanderhoef- Appointed by the Iowa City City July 1 June 30 City of Iowa City Representative Council 2002 2004 City of Iowa City 410 East Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Bus: 356-5000 TERM TERM BEGINS EXPIRES BOARD OF SUPERVISORS REPRESENTATIVES Pat Hamey Jan. 1 913 South Dubuque Street, Suite 201 2002 Iowa City, Iowa 52240-4207 Bus: 356-6000 Mike Lehman Jan. 1 913 South Dubuque Street, Suite 201 2002 Iowa City, Iowa 52240-4207 Bus: 356-6000 EX-OFFICIO William Gorman July 1 June 30 1674 Polk Avenue NE 2002 2003 Solon, Iowa 52333 Res: 644-2140 Dave Purdy July 1 June 30 Elderly Services 2002 2003 28 South L'mn Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Bus: 356-5217 Marc Rahe (Replaced Jim Gaffey) July 11 June 30 Goodwill Industries of SE Iowa 2002 2003 1410 South First Avenue Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Bus: 337-4158 Nancy Snider Overstreet July 11 June 30 Goodwill Industries of SE Iowa 2002 2003 1410 South First Avenue Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Bus: 337-4158 City of Iowa City IP7 MEMORANDUM Date: July 15, 2002 To: City Council From: Jeff Davidson, Assistant Director of Planning and Community Development ~ Re: Traffic Issues in Manville Heights You received correspondence from Casey D. Mahon dated May 28, 2002 that contained several concerns pertaining to traffic issues in eastern Manville Heights. I sent you a memo dated May 31, 2002 that outlined how we would proceed in evaluating these issues. The purpose of this memorandum is to update you on the status of our evaluation. You will recall that there was a request to install video cameras to identify motorists going the wrong way on Grove Street, and we did not recommend pursuing such an action. However, we have examined the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices with respect to installation of one-way street traffic control, and we will be improving the one-way signage on Grove Street between Ridgeland Avenue and Ferson Avenue. The improved signage should be installed by the time the fall academic semester begins. I discussed with Casey Mahon the request for us to investigate the provision of on-street parking and installation of speed humps. I explained that this entailed the collection of traffic data as part of the evaluation of these issues. The petition you received indicated a desire on the part of the neighborhood to have these issues evaluated in time for any modifications to be made prior to the beginning of the fall academic semester. I pointed out to Casey that we may wish to wait until the fall academic semester begins before collecting traffic data in the neighborhood, so that we get an accurate representation of traffic conditions with students present in the neighborhood. Casey agreed that collecting data in June and July will not accurately represent the concerns of the neighborhood. We will collect some baseline data during July, but the focus of our data collection efforts will be in September. We will then proceed through our standard processes for evaluating on- street parking and traffic calming measures. Let me know if you have any questions. cc: City Manager Director of Public Works Director of Planning and Community Development City Engineer JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner Neighborhood Services Coordinator Casey D. Mahon, 226 McLean Street Ann Connors, Manville Heights Neighborhood Association, 301 Richards Street ppdadm/merrdjd-mviltetraffic.doc City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: July 17, 2002 To: City Council From: Jeff Davidson, Assistant Director, Dept. of Planning & Community Development ~ Re: Lexington Avenue traffic calming barricade; comments from July 15 City Council work session It is my understanding that a couple of questions were raised at your July 15 City Council work session regarding our pending one-year follow-up survey for the Lexington Avenue traffic calming barricade. We have indicated to you our intention to re-survey the Lexington Avenue neighborhood consistent with the existing procedures of our traffic calming program. This entails surveying those residences located on property adjacent to Lexington Avenue between River Street and Park Road. It is my understanding that there was not a majority of the City Council in favor of expanding the follow-up survey to additional streets in Manville Heights. If inquiries regarding the survey are received from residents outside of the immediate Lexington Avenue neighborhood, I will indicate to them that they should feel free to communicate their comments directly to the City Council since they are not part of the formal re-survey. I think it is fair to say that the Manville Heights neighborhood outside of the immediate Lexington Avenue area is generally not in favor of the Lexington Avenue barricade. In the many comments I have received from the adjacent neighborhood, there have been no positive comments regarding the Lexington Avenue barricade; generally it is felt that the barricade shifts traffic to other neighborhood streets. Expanding the follow-up survey area would have a predictable impact on the results of the survey. I would remind you that we will not be conducting a follow-up traffic study this summer because this was completed last fall. We wanted to make sure we surveyed traffic conditions during the peak traffic time of year in Manville Heights and not in the summer, so we collected our follow-up information in November (obviously before the barricade was removed for the winter) and reported it to you in December 2001. Attached is a copy of that memorandum. The study showed what we had anticipated - that there would be modest increases in traffic on the parallel streets to Lexington Avenue: Lee Street, Magowan Avenue, and Ferson Avenue. We do not consider these streets to be over- burdened with traffic. Ferson Avenue has much higher traffic volume than Lee Street or Magowan Avenue, but only a small percentage can be attributed to the Lexington Avenue barricade. There was also a question raised at the July 15 City Council meeting pertaining to the installation of signs in the neighborhood notifying persons of the follow-up survey. I went back and looked at my file notes to see what the City Council's determination had been when you last discussed the elements of the traffic calming program. At your June 11, 2001 work session, there was a majority of the City Council in favor of the following changes: for any approved traffic calming measure, an authorizing resolution will be prepared for the next City Council meeting. This will not be a formal public hearing but the Mayor indicated that he would let public input occur. During the two-week period between the City Council's approval of the traffic ca[ming project and the official consideration of the authorizing resolution, staff was directed to put up signs in the neighborhood notifying Lexington Avenue Traffic Calming Barricade July 17, 2002 Page 2 the public of the proposed project and the opportunity for public comment. Staff was directed to conduct these new procedures in conjunction with approval of a new traffic calming project but there was no mention of putting up signs in conjunction with a follow-up survey. Please let us know at your August 19 work session if there is a majority of the City Council that wishes us to post signs in the neighborhood notifying the public of the follow-up survey of Lexington Avenue residents. Staff will proceed according to your wishes. Let me know if there are any questions. cc: City Manager Director of Planning JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner Director of Public Works City Engineer Neighborhood Services Coordinator Rhys Jones, Lexington Avenue Neighborhood representative; 708 McLean Street Ann Connors, Manville Heights Neighborhood representative; 301 Richards Street jccogtp~memos~lexington followup.doc City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: December 31,2001 ~ To: City Council From: Jeff Davidson, Asst. Director, Dept. of Planning and Community Development Re: Preliminary assessment of Lexington Avenue traffic calming You will recall that in August of 2001 a barricade was placed on Lexington Avenue near the intersection with McLean Street. This barricade was erected after a majority of the neighborhood indicated they were in favor of trying such an action in an attempt to reduce the number of recklessly operated vehicles on Lexington Avenue. There were concerns expressed by persons on adjacent streets in the Manville Heights neighborhood that the placement of such a barricade would cause vehicles to be diverted from Lexington Avenue to the parallel streets of Lee Street, Magowan Avenue and Ferson Avenue. Based on the traffic volumes that were recorded on Lexington Avenue prior to erection of the barricade we did not feel traffic diversion would be a significant problem. However, we agreed that it would be good to take before and after traffic counts in order to assess the situation. Traffic counts were recorded by the JCCOG Transportation Planning Division in August prior to the barricade's installation, and in November after the barricade had been installed. Counts were taken on both the north half and south half of Lexington Avenue. Not unexpectedly, on the north half of Lexington Avenue there was a 68% reduction in traffic volume from 232 vehicles per day (vph) to 74 vph. The 85th percentile speed was reduced from 25 mph to 17 mph. On the south half of Lexington Avenue there was a 40% reduction in traffic volume from 268 vph to 160 vph. There was a 10% reduction in 85th percentile speed from 30 mph to 27 mph. On the parallel streets of Lee Street, Magowan Avenue, and Ferson Avenue traffic data were recorded as follows: Lee Street · 13% increase in traffic volume from 239 vph to 270 vph · 3% decrease in 85~ percentile speed from 30 mph to 29 mph Magowan Avenue * 23% increase in traffic volume from 391 vph to 481 vph ~ 4% increase in 85th percentile speed from 27 mph to 28 mph Ferson Avenue · 6% increase in traffic volume from 1,461 vph to 1,550 vph · the 85"~ percentile speed remained the same at 27 mph In conclusion, there was a modest increase in traffic volume on the streets parallel to Lexington Avenue following the installation of the traffic calming barricade, a total of 210 vehicles per day. It is likely that some of this increase in volume can be attributed to the closure of Lexington Avenue. The two immediately parallel through streets, Lee Street and Magowan Avenue, recorded the largest percentage increases in traffic, but the actual traffic volume numbers are relatively Iow. Lee Street and Magowan Avenue both remain under the 500 vehicle per day traffic threshold that we find appropriate for local residential streets. Ferson Avenue is a higher December 31, 2001 Page 2 traffic volume street because it is an access reute to the Ellis Avenue multi-family housing area. Vehicle speeds on Lee, Magowan and Ferson did not increase appreciably following installation of the barricade. The Lexington Avenue traffic calming barricade has been removed for the winter months, and will be reinstalled at the end of March 2002. In accordance with our traffic calming program, we will conduct a follow-up survey of the neighborhood in August 2002 to see if they wish to continue with the three-season barricade. cc: Steve Atkins Karin Franklin Marcia Klingaman Chuck Schmadeke Rick Fosse Matt Johnson Andy Rocca jccogad m~nmos~lexington ave .doc Date recorded: ~ 2001 Traffic Count Program SEPTEMBER 2000 NOVEMBER 2001 Park Road Park Road --~ I / '~ ~ /' s~: l ~ 85% - ~6.7m~ ~oI ~2 s~: I 85% - ~ 5. 7 mph McLean Stmet McLean S~ ~17~15~ ~ 85% - 27.0mph ~ s~: < ~. 85% - 2g. g mph ~ ~ I River St~et River St~t Numbem shown indicate 2~hour ~N~ average daily t~ffic Data recorded by NC97 HI.TAR data classifier ~ ]CCOG If there are any questions co~the JCCOG rrji~ Location: Fer~n Avenue [4OO blockl J C C O G Date recorded: May & November Requested by: a-~'~.~-~-,, '.-',~ c~ 200~ Traffic Count Program May 200'/ November 200f Speed: Speed: 85% - 27.4 mph 85% - 2?, r mph I I ~um~e~ shown indicate 2&hour average dally traffic Data recorded by NC97 HI.TAR data classifier ~ ~CCOG ~ If there are any questions, con~ the JCCOG Trans~ation Planning Division at 3~5~5. Locat,on: JCCOG Date recorded: M~v & November 2001 Requested by: J.ffD, viS~n law, Cffy 2001 TraffiC Count Program May 200f November Park Road Park Reed 187 294 / f65 226 Speed: Speed: II ~um~om shown indicate 2&hour average daily traffic Data recorded by NC97 HI.TAR data classifier ~CCO~ If there are any questions, con~ the JCCOG TranspoKation Planning Division ~ 3~235. " Location: l. eeS~.eetr4~Ob/ockJ JCCOG 200~ Tra~c Count Requested by: ,,.~n~... /.w. c~ ~ro~ram May 200f Nov~b~ 2~ : ,~ ~umbe~ shown indicate 2&hour average daily traffic Data record~ by NC97 HI.TAR data classier If there are any questions, con~ the JCCOG TranspoAation Planning Division at 3~235. Iowa City Police Department P.A.U.L.A. Report -- June 2002 PAULA = Possession of Alcohol Under the Legal Age) Monthly Totals Year-to-Date Totals PAULA per Visit Business Name visits arrests visits arrests (~ear-to-date) Adagio Airliner 4 1 20 12 0:600 Alley Cat 4 15 5 0.333 American Legion Aoeshe Restaurant Atlas World Grill 2 12 0.000 Baldy's Wraps Bob's Your Uncle Bo-James 14 19 45 66 1.511 Brewery Brothers Bar & Grill 18 5 78 16 0.231 Brown Bottle Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar 3 9 0.000 Carlos O'Kelly's College St Billiards Club 7 35 5 0.143 Colonial Bowling Lanes 9 0.000 Cottage Bakery & Caf~ Dave's Fox Head Tavern Deadwood Tavern 2 6 0.000 Devotay Diamond Dave's (Old Capitol) 1 6 1 0.167 Diamond Dave's (Sycamore) Dublin Underground 2 5 0.000 Duds 'N Suds Eagle's Lodge Elks Country Club El Ranchero 1 2 2.000 Et Cetera 40 7 0.175 Fieldhouse Restaurant & Bar 9 9 49 57 1.163 First Avenue Club 4 0.000 Fitzpatrick's 1 3 0.000 Gabe's 1 4 1 0.250 George's Buffet Givanni's Godfather's Pizza Green Room 1 0.000 Gringos Mexican Bar & Grill 1 1 Grizzly's South Side 5 0.000 Ground Round Restaurant Hanrahan'a Happy Joe's Pizza Highlander Hilltop Tavern 1 0.000 India Caf~ Joe's Place 4 7 0.000 Kitty Hawk 3 0,000 La Casa Lark Restaurant Linn Street Caf~ Lou Henri Malone's 20 16 76 88 1,158 Martinis 16 1 75 15 0.200 Masala Memories 1 0.000 Micky's 7 1 13 1 0.077 Mike's Tap Mill Restaurant 1 0,000 Mondo's (Downtown) 3 10 0,000 Moose Lodge Morgan's Bar & Grill (Sheraton) 9 69 8 0.116 Motley Cow Caf~ Mumm's Saloon & Eatery 2 30 0.000 Okoboji Grill One-Eyed Jake's 11 13 51 55 1.07§ One Twenty Six Outer Limits 1 0.000 Pagliai's Pizza Panchero's (Clinton St) Panchero's (Riverside Dr) Parthenon Pizza Hut Plamor Lanes 1 1 1.000 Press Box 3 15 0.000 Q Bar 1 17 8 0.471 Quinton's Bar & Deli 1 12 2 0.167 R T Grunts 4 2 0.500 Sam's Pizza Sanctuary Restaurant & Pub Serendipity Laundry Caf8 Shakespeare's 2 0,000 Sports Column 24 24 91 130 1.429 Summit Restaurant & Bar 22 23 87 68 0.782 Sushi Po Po T.G.I. Friday's Thai Flavors Thai Spice Tokyo Ichiban Union Bar 29 33 108 141 1.306 VFW Post Vine Tavern Vito's 17 9 96 96 1.000 Wig & Pen Pizza Pub Yen Ching Restaurant ~ Zio Johno's Spaghetti House ! Totals: I 238 154 1119 791 0.707 Other PAULA at non-business locations: 21 132 PAULA Totals: 175 923 Iowa City Housing and Inspection Services IP10 Customer Service Survey ~ July 2002 "Inspections have improved radically from where you were 15 yrs. ago, i.e., rather than nit- picking, you're constructively attempting to improve the living environment of the tenant and at the same time, the landlord improves that quality." "You are doing great." "Norm, Bob, John, and all the inspectors have always treated me with respect and fairness. Whenever I've had an issue to resolve with my rentals, they've been helpful and given me enough time to make the repairs. I think Iowa City has done a good job of finding the right people for this difficult work." "Norm: I appreciate you and your staff's assistance. It's nice to work together - for the same goals. Thanks." "Great. I appreciate the fair assessment of properties based on their age and function." "Norm Cate - Excellent to work with; thorough, but not 'knit picky." A pleasure to do an inspection with, and represents his City department well. Thanks." "Douglas Boothroy- Very good!! Thanks!" "Art is very considerate and nice to work with. He is on time and very businesslike and at the same time explains what he wants done." "I was very happy with the job that John did and explained to me why it was needed." "Patricia MacKay was our inspector. She was on time and did a good job. She did her inspection quickly and was very pleasant. Good job!" "Inspector Art Anderson did a wonderful job on the inspection of our property located at 402 Ronalds. It's a pleasure to work with your department." "This inspector seems to be satisfied to check the important safety items and didn't seem to be tryinq to find some small item to write up. Cooperative." "I escorted the inspector through the apartments. He was courteous, thorough and helpful." "Pat does a great job the city and citizens alike. She was very thorough, but courteous. She pointed out problems, but also suggested solutions. It is good to see her back on the inspection team." "John Bovey - Excellent to work with; a good representative of the Inspection Department. Cooperative and personable. Thanks!" "Pat was very pleasant to work with." hisadm/comments7-O2.doc 1 Iowa City Housing and Inspection Services Customer Service Survey - July 2002 Page 2 "We thought Mr. Cate was efficient, reasonable, helpful and friendly in the performance of his duties as a Sr. Housing Inspector." "Patricia has d, one a wonderful job and is a pleasure to work with. Keep up the good work!" "Bob Shaver was very polite and was prompt. He was very fair in his assessment of any problems we encountered." "Courteous, timely, helpful. Thank you!" "Art Andersondid a very fine job - a pleasant guy to work with." "Patricia MacKay was probably the best inspector I have ever experienced, Not picky about everything. Only- came late? "Your doing great!" "Bob S. has always been on time for appointments - is thorough and fair - greets tenants well and gives firm advise to them. I'd say very well." The people I have dealt with are prompt and professional. They do a good job." Good thorough inspections with helpful ideas. Very prompt also!" I have no complaints, which you may take as a sign of customer satisfaction." Norm was very easy to work with. Very efficient and friendly." The City needs more people like Bob Shaver - he will work with you - not against you." Inspection by Patricia MacKay was excellent. Very easy to work with. Please keep up the great work." "Excellent. Patricia is an extremely cordial and polite individual. She is very exacting in her inspection endeavors. Also probably the most under paid position where one never knows how owners will respond. The City should be very proud of her work. Hopefully a raise for all." "John Bovey checked for safety issues and found everything in order. He was polite and efficient. Doing a good job." "Great!" "Patricia MacKay was great! Prompt and kept appts. The inspector who was supposed to inspect last fall was pathetic. I rescheduled the lSttime. He didn't show or call the next two appointments. We had renters ready for him and I took time off. This was very rude. I finally rescheduled for this spring and asked for someone other than this man (I forget his name) and we got Patricia MacKay. She was great. So was the first male inspector we had four years ago." "I felt the inspector was courteous and helpful, She made suggestions on how to correct problems and seemed knowledgeable." hisad m/comments7-02.doc 2 Iowa City Housing and Inspection Services Customer Service Survey ~ July 2002 Page 3 "Inspector John Bovey - fair, courteous; respectful of tenant who was home; prompt; review of inspection was clear." "Doing great. I don't own a lot of rentals but inspectors have been helpful and understanding with delays and improvements needed." "Hire more personnel like Pat MacKay! A person whom you can freely ask questions. Puts herself on your level. A very knowledgeable woman. We need more people like her. Thanks for sending her for our inspection." "All staff I have worked with do a great job! They are very knowledgeable and helpful. If they find a problem, they explain why a change needs to be made and offer suggestions as to how it can be accomplished." "Mr. Norm Cate was courteous, personable, and professional in his visits to my house. He's an all-around swell guy." .... Doing fine. Mr. Anderson was on time for the inspection, seemed prepared, was thorough and efficient and his constructive criticism about a couple of issues not covered by housing regs was helpful (a bent gutter and small trees by the house foundation)." "Inspector was on time, courteous, helpful and knowledgeable." .... Both Norm Cate and John Bovey have been fair, informative, helpful, and pleasant to deal with. A good experience!" "Norm Cate was very thorough, courteous and understanding. It was a pleasure to work with him." "Mother and I felt Mr. Anderson was thorough and courteous and that he did his job well." "Excellent! Thanks for all help and services you provide." hisa d m~comn~ nts7-O2,doc 3 PATV Board of Directors Meeting 206 Lafayette Street Thursday, May 16, 2002; 7:00 PM 1. Call meeting to order at 7:09 PM Present: Michael Bell, Tim Clancy, Steven Newell, Tom Nothnagle, Mike Petersen. Phil Phillips 2. Consent to the agenda: consented 3. Approval of April Minutes: Suggested keeping minutes general and sparse relative to current minutes. Tim C. moved pass of minutes as amended, and Phil P. seconded. Unanimously passed. 4. Short Public Announcemente. None 5. Board announcements: None. 6. Old Business: They mentioned on the back of this that there was a fund- raising event with a silent auction. 7. New Business: Phil P. has an item: When he was "chaim~an" and co- signed the checks with Rene, and recently there was a need for a special trip by the Vice Chair to co-sign when Phil P. was here. The Bylaws may by resolution assign a member to be an Agent to co-sign the checks. As a matter of organizational convenience, would the board like to assign Phil P. as an Agent to be able to sign for the co-signature requirement with Rene so that business is quickly and efficiently attended too. Mike P. moved a resolution and Tim C. seconded after some discussion, and it passed, unanimously. 8. Committee Meetings: OUTREACH COMMI'I-rEE: Sing L. and Tom N. had a small get together on some ideas for Outreach. We are working on some different ways to raise money. INSURANCE: Sing L Mike P. and Tom N. had a meeting to review the insurance policy coverage and the facts indicated a reduction of one of the policy items by $2,000 as administered by the Director (Rene P.). BYLAVVS COMMITTEE: Had a meeting. 9. Reports: Director's Reports: Rene P. reported that she spoke to PRSSA group, at t.he University of Iowa on Apdl 11, and we are also finishing up our second video with the CTS. Rene P. also reported the newsletter is done. And - Sing L. and Kristen Machometa helped for 4 days on the outreach event at the Univ. of Iowa IMU building. Josh G. and Adam B. went to the Final Cut 3 program to become certified instructors on digital editing in Chicago. The City is doing a mcvaluation of the franchise with Mediacom and so we would like to plan a public relations event to educate and offer some insight into what is at stake for their Public Access TV resource. PATV submitted a proposal for a grant to CTG for a DVD system and it will make us able to record our matedal from tape to disc. The director attended a meeting at the Library for a community wide project of making local culture story telling events (Stodes 2000). Betsy Munro will be staying on thi~ summer as an intern working with "Grefliti Theatre". James Mims will be moving to California soon and we will be hidng a new schedule programmer. The director sent out another letter to another possible benefactor for the ongoing fundreiser process. The director attended the Volunteer Fair at Sycamore Mall on Apdl 20th and Tom N. also played guitar there. Move to adjourn: Mike P moved. Phil P. seconded. Unanimous. at 8:25 PM Minutes by Steve Newell