HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-07-10 Correspondence
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CITY OF IOWA CITY
MEMORANDUM
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Date: June 26,2007
To: City Clerk
From: Kent Ralston; Acting Traffic Engineering Planner ~
Re: Item for July 10, 2007 City Council meeting; Installation of (1) Iowa City Transit BUS
STOP sign.
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 (1) Iowa City Transit BUS STOP sign at the intersection
of Scott Boulevard / Freedom Court.
Comment:
This action is being taken at the request of Iowa City Transit.
Mgr/agditms/kr-scotlfreedom busstop.doc
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CITY OF IOWA CITY~
MEMORANDUM
Date:
To:
From:
June 20, 2007
City Clerk
Kent Ralston, Acting Traffic Engineering Planner J--
Item for July 10, 2007 City Council meeting; Removal of taxicab stands on Iowa
Avenue and Washington Street in the Central Business District
Re:
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); remove signage indicating NO PARKING TAXI STAND ONLY
5PM - 2AM on Iowa Avenue and Washington Street in the Central Business District.
Comment
This action is being taken at the request of City Council.
jccogtp/mem/actcomm-txi6-20.doc
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CITY OF IOWA CITY
MEMORANDUM
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Date: June 29, 2007
To: City Clerk
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From: Anissa Gerard, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner
Re: Item for July 10, 2007 City Council meeting: Removal of NO PARKING BETWEEN
SIGNS signs with ARROWS in the 600 block of E. Davenport Street
As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3B of the City Code, this is to advise the City Council
of the following action.
Action:
Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A(10), remove NO PARKING BETWEEN SIGNS signs with ARROWS
in the 600 block of E. Davenport Street in front of the construction gate for S1. Wenceslaus
church.
Comment:
This action is being taken because the construction for the church is complete.
Mgrtagditmslag-davenport st npbsremove.doc
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Page 1 of3
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Marian Karr
From: GAGUSICKSR@aol.com
Sent: Sunday, June 24, 2007 11 :07 PM
To: Council; brittany-volk@uiowa.edu; parents-association@uiowa.edu; general-counsel@uiowa.edu;
ombudsperson@uiowa.edu; Sid Jackson; Jim Steffen
Subject: Patron assaulted at Brothers Bar in Ped Mall by Bouncers
Ladies and Gentlemen of the City Council of Iowa City:
On Saturday, June the 23rd, we, my family and I, had the pleasure of attending
the Graduation of my daughter from the Radiology Technology Program at the
University of Iowa. The graduation was at 11 :00 am and was completed by
12:30 pm, we had lunch in your city and rested for the afternoon. We were
along with the whole class were to attend a "Bar-Crawl" that evening starting at
Brothers Bar on the Pedestrian Mall. We were to attend four different locations
in the "Ped-Mall" and then be driven home by our designated drivers or cabs. I
am a non-drinker so, I was our designated driver.
Well, all went well through most of the evening, our person in charge ask at one
point why we were not being served more pitchers of beer and the Bartender
said that the manager had not approved it. Then when we questioned the
manager, he said he did not tell the bartender, who was being very rude, and
the bartender was having a "bad day" and would tell him. Then when they
started serving again, they cut off saying that we had exceeded the agreed upon
amount. At this point, being tired of putting up with the rude bartenders and
similar manager, who told us to leave if we did not agree they prepared to
depart to our second stop of the evening. Then the bartender and bouncers
encircled my Daughter and her Boyfriend, and the Boyfriend made a comment
about how poorly the manager managed the bar. At this point, three of the
bouncers/bartenders, including the manager, put their hands on my Daughter's
Boyfriend. My son walked over and ask that they take their hands off of him, he
would get both my Daughter and the Boyfriend to leave the bar. .
This was when everything got out hand by the bartenders/ bouncers/ manager,
three men grabbed my Son and started pushing him violently toward the door.
My Wife attempted to stop the men and she told them she would get my Son out
of the Bar and was pushed away and threatened by the bouncers. I attempted
to stop them and let them know that he was my Son and I would get him out of
the Bar, the advised me to get the f--k out of the way. I was also grabbed
around the neck and scratched by someone as well as being bruised on the
wrist. My Son and I were violently pushed outside the bar. Then four men, one
on each leg and arm, then threw my Daughters boyfriend from the door
6/25/2007
Page 2 of3
approximately ten feet from the door onto the bricks outside the Bar. He was
unconscious at the time from being "choked" into unconsciousness by the men,
his forehead and face hit the bricks with a crunching thud that I will neyer
fQr~et for the rest of my life.
At this point my daughter came out and tried to comfort him, but it wa~ obv;ou~
his condition was critical. I called 911 and ask for both an Ambulance and
Police. All during this time the bartenders/bouncers/manager stood at the door
trying to bait others in our group with derogatory language and then throwing
out if they said anything.
I stayed in front of my daughter and her boyfriend to protect them from any
further attacks by the bartenders/bouncers/manager. I had to physically
restrain my daughter, my wife and others from attacking the
bartenders/bouncers/manager who continued to taunt the members of
our group.
The ambulance arrived and attended to my Daughter's Boyfriend who eventually
was placed on backboard, neck brace, etc and was taken to the Emergency
Room of University of Iowa Hospitals. He has over twelve fractures in his face,
nose, eye orbits, forehead, sinus cavities etc. He will survive but will require
surgery to repair the damage. This was a senseless and vicious attack by these
men whose purpose was to inflict as much damage as they could.
This young man has been enrolled in Business at the University for three years,
works at the IMU and even met the new President, President Mason, just last
week. He is, also, enrolled in Classes during summer session. He will continue
his class work.
We are grateful to Police Officer Carlos Trevino with the Iowa City Police
Department for his cool head and calming effect he had on the situation. It was
on the verge or a major disturbance until he arrived. Officer Trevino has
numerous witnesses to attest to what happened. He also has the names of the
four who participated in the assault.
The reason I am witting you, the City Council, is that my daughter, who has
been a student at the University since her graduation in 2002, has another two
semesters to complete her specialty. I would like to think that she is safe and
that your town is one where she can finish her education and perhaps work in
the future. She is working at the University Hospital this summer prior to
completing her specialty in the fall and spring.
This was an unprovoked attack by these bartenders/bouncers/manager at this
6/25/2007
Page 3 of3
establishment. No-one physically attacked anyone in the bar or the
bartenders/bouncers/manager. Our group was in the process of leaving after
we found out about the cheating by the Manager, but they chose to physically
attack when confronted with the cheating.
I later found that this establishment is known for this kind of activity, at least
that is what we were told at the University Hospitals.
There was also a number of underage drinkers at our the bar, one in our group
and it was known by all the bartenders and the Manager in particular. Many of
the drinkers in this bar were very intoxicated, none that I could see in our
group. Being sober, I was keeping an eye out for that to prevent problems. My
daughter, her boyfriend, my son, or my wife had been drinking but not
intoxicated. I grant you they were angry about the cheating by the manager,
but they were resigned to leave prior to the disturbance.
My hope is that the City of Iowa City can find a way to deal with this kind of
establishment.
If not perhaps the University of Iowa has a way of dealing with this sort of
establishment. My University, the University of Texas, when I attended, had a
list of locations through out Austin, Texas, that were not recommended to be
patronized by Students for these sort of problems.
I am confident that Officer Trevino will have the four men who assaulted my
daughter's Boyfriend brought up on charges that will put them away for a while.
Thank you for your Time
George A. Gusick, Sr.
709 Summit Street
PO Box 274
Center Point, Iowa 52213
(319) 849-1277 home
(319) 310-2602 cellular
email -gagu~i~ksI@>-aol.com
See what's free at 69L.com.
6/2512007
Page 1 of 1
Marian Karr
From: Sam Hargadine
Sent: Monday, June 25,20074:31 PM
To: 'George@brecke.com'
Cc: *City Council; Steve Atkins; Eleanor M. Dilkes
Subject: Incident at Brothers Bar
George A. Gusick, Sr.
709 Summit Street
PO Box 274
Center Point, Iowa 52213
Dear Mr. Gusick:
The incident to which you refer to is an active investigation which has been directed to our
Investigative section for follow-up. The outcome of that investigation will result in a
determination of whether criminal charges will be filed and, if so, against whom. Prior to that
determination it would be improper for me to comment publicly.
Sincerely,
Chief Sam Hargadine
Iowa City Police Department
410 E. Washington
Iowa City, IA 52240-1826
Office: 319.356.5271
Emai1: Sam - Hargadine(a)iowa-city.org
NOTICE: This email (including attachments) is covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act,
18 U.S.C. 2510-2521, and is confidential and may be legally privileged. If you are not the intended
recipient, you are hereby notified that any retention, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this
communication is strictly prohibited. Please reply to the sender that you have received the message in
error, and then delete it. Thank You.
6/25/2007
rn:
Marian Karr
From: Kathryn Johansen
Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 20074:02 PM
To: 'KATHLEEN MANDERSON'
Cc: *City Council
Subject: RE: towing policy
Dear Kathleen,
Thank you for your e-mail to City Council. Council members do not receive their e-mails directly. Your message
will be forwarded to Council and received as official correspondence on their next formal agenda.
Kathleen. I would like to follow-up on this l~)r you. Please provide me with your license plate number, the time,
day, and location from which your car was towed. Perhaps thcn we can better understand why this occurred.
Thanks, Kathleen. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Kathi Johansen
Administrative Assistant
to the City Manager
319 356-50 I 0
From: KATHLEEN MANDERSON [mailto:antkma@msn.com]
Sent: Friday, June 15, 2007 10:57 AM
To: Council
Subject: towing policy
It is disheartening to try to support the local downtown businesses and get your car towed to
Kalona for leaving it for several hours. My understanding was that you did not tow cars unless
they were left for 48 hours unattended. No warnings, small signs and it is summer. This is the
problem with Iowa City--NO COMMON SENSE. The University is not in session. So you are towing
cars of the people that support your wonderful downtown businesses. I was there to pick up my
car at 6 AM-and it was gone. Tried to ride my bike to Big 10 and realized I was almost to Kalona.
Thanks for the inconvenience. I understand from the towing company personnel that you
routinely tow all cars every Friday morning. It would seem that you should tow them every night
to be fair. But we all know that Iowa City is not fair.
Kathleen Anderson
antkma@msn.com
6/20/2007
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Marian Karr
From: Josh Uoshthomas@southslope.net]
Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 20071:15 PM
To: Council
Subject: taser approval
council members
I just read the article in The Daily Iowan 6/19/2007 about council approves police tasers. I do feel that they
have their place as a tool for law enforcement officers to use. This means as a last resort after trying to control the
situation with their voice commands, physical restraining and lead officer taking charge of situation at hand. The
tasers are non-lethal weapons that need to be used with the highest discretion as the tasers do cause
injuries. There are many issues that are unknown on how it affects the complex human body.
I was recently tased by local police 4 times once in the chest, twice in the back (once on the spine) and once
in the left hamstring while being held in a sleeperhold by a police officer that never identified themselves. I am still
sore and walking with a limp after two weeks. I did nothing to deserve this treatment, I defused a situation
between a woman to my right and a man on stage to my left, because it unfolded in the immediate area of my
wife and friends.
As a former U.S. Marine, I have several friends that are in the law enforcement field. I am very disappointed by
the actions of the police officers involved, whether the officers lack training, experience or the maturity level to
remain cool and calm during intense situations. The officers responded like they were breaking up a riot and used
tasers on almost everyone arrested regardless if the person was attempting to cooperating, this all happened all
in front of a crowd at a local town festival. The police officers have not conducted themselves in favorable public
perception, in other words loss the public respect for their actions.
I have seen minimum wage bouncers in Iowa City separate people and conduct themselves in a higher
professional manner than these trained law enforcement officers.
The officers worked as individuals and kept hitting myself with the tasers as they were not working as a
cohesive unit. The officers had no clue on how to handle the situation. It was a minor scuffle between a young
man that dumped a full beer on a young woman. They (police officers) would cause an internation crisis if placed
at the front gates of a U.S. embassy if they can't handle a little situation like the one that took place. But will be
swept under the carpet since it is a local deal.
With the situation of the University of Iowa and downtown Iowa City bars I can bet, the abuse of tasers used by
police will be more than the council wants to deal with over the next few years.
Disappointed by police
Josh Thomas
This correspondence will become a public record.
6/19/2007
~In~m[ l~[U~[
~rt(s resiaent ~SSiOnal fueatre
213 North Gilbert Street
Iowa City. Iowa 52245
Box Office: (319) 338-7672
Admin Office: (319) 887-1360
Fax: (319) 887-1362
info@riversidetheatre.org
www.riversidetheatre.org
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To:
Mal,Jor Wilburn, Reeenia Bailel,J, Connie Champion,.Am.l,J
Correia, Bob Elliott, Mike O'Donnell, Dee Vanderhoef
A bie thank lJou from all of us for the improvemen ts that were
made to the Festivalarounds in lower Citl,J Park. The citl,J'S
continued commitment to our oreanization and this Festival is
remarkable.
The addition of permanent restrooms, the pavilion and liehted
pathwal,J will be such a benefit for us, and for the thousands of
patrons that come to the Festival evel'lJ summer. Thank l,Jou for
hdpine to make this possible.
We hope l,Jou'll make it to the theatre to see the improvements
firsthand!
Best,
Sara O'Learl;), on behalf of Riverside Theatre
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Mike Missen
1005 Penkridge Dr.
Iowa City, IA 52246
(319) 338-8542
Sunday, June 17,2007
Dear City Council,
I am a concerned 15 year old that attends West High. I would like to know what
you are doing to make Iowa City a greener city. I also urge you to step up the effort to
make buildings more efficient and would like you to look at the improvements of New
York City and California for ideas. I think that since the federal government is not
providing the resources needed to improve environmental standards it is up to people like
you and me to change the way this country operates, and a great start would be lessening
the energy and petroleum consumption in our city. Thank you for listening.
Sincerely,
I'V ;' ~'~
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Mike Missen
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Marian Karr
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Hudson Francis [hudfrancis@hotmail.com]
Friday, June 15, 2007 5:35 PM
Council
Marijuana Laws In Iowa City
Hudson Francis
811 E Market St
Iowa City, IA 52245-2643
June 15, 2007
Iowa City Council
Dear Iowa City Council:
As a resident of Iowa City, I think it is time we reconsider the city's laws and policies
regarding marijuana. I have Stills Disease, a disease in which my immune system is eating
away my cartilage. While living in California I was able to legally use marijuana to my
alleviate symptoms.
When I moved back to Iowa City I continued use, however my actions were now illegal.
Several months ago I was arrested for simple possession. I was put in jail for one night
where they refused to give me my Indomethacin(a prescription drug I need to keep from
getting fevers and to prevent my joints from swelling up.) It caused a relapse into my
condition. My knee swelled up and I had difficulty walking for several days. I was put
in the same cell as someone who was in there for assault and who threatened to "kick my
ass." By the end of the night the cell was completely full and by the next morning the
entire floor outside of my cell was so full with people that you couldn't walk around
without
stepping on someone. I think it is time to re-examine our laws and
the reasons we have them. Every year more and more states and cities are realizing the
medical benefits of marijuana and changing their laws accordingly. Do you really think I
needed to be locked up with with a violent criminal because I used a plant medicinally
that was recommended to me by several doctors and has never killed a single person? Iowa
City does not have the jail space to lock up people like me. What are your personal
reasons for keeping marijuana illegal? I urge you to adopt a policy to decriminalize
personal possession of marijuana, institute a cite and release program, adopt a medical
marijuana program, or at the very least, make marijuana the lowest priority for Iowa City
law enforcement.
Please keep an open mind and realize that what was thought to be best in the past, may not
actually be the best for society today. will you please help?
Sincerely,
Hudson Francis
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CITY OF IOWA CITY~
MEMORANDUM
Date: July 3, 2007
To: City Council
From: Jeff Davidson, Director of Planning and Community Development 7#
Re: Peninsula Purchase Agreement
The Council has received a request from Barry Kemper, Peninsula Development Company, for
an extension for the Peninsula Neighborhood Development Agreement. Staff recommends that
the request be referred to staff for evaluation and preparation of an amendment for Council
consideration.
ppdadm/mem/jd-peninsulapurchaseagree.doc
Honorable Mayor and City Council r"-"
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Iowa City, Iowa 52240 --co. ,
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Dear Mayor Wilburn and Councilors:
On behalf of Peninsula Development Company, LLC, (PDq I respectfully request your consideration for
execution of a third amendment to the Peninsula Neighborhood Development Agreement.
As you know, pursuant to the Agreement PDC and the City executed a closing on the latter portion of the
Peninsula Neighborhood - Second Addition property in December, 2004. The Agreement in its current
form specifies a closing deadline of January 1,2008 for the Peninsula Neighborhood - Third Addition
and/or subsequent additions.
PDC has been diligently working to develop infrastructure and construct homes on the Second Addition
property since closing. Attached to this communication is a summary of the marketing actions
undertaken within the last year. In addition, we have invested a large sum of money in the project to-date.
These items should demonstrate that PDC has been and remains committed to maintaining and its
partnership with the City to create the vision we and the citizens ofIowa City embraced more than eight
years ago.
The current state of the Iowa City housing market, however, mirrors that of the rest of the nation. In
particular and as you probably know, specific problems in housing finance and a general supply/demand
imbalance have combined to a stagnation in most local housing markets, and is preventing households
from purchasing new-construction units. The Peninsula Neighborhood project is, like all other new-
construction projects in the Iowa City market, caught in this scenario, and as such we have experienced a
reduction in demand.
We are confident that activity for the Iowa City new/resale housing markets will rise within the next
eighteen (18) months, and this opinion is shared by many national and local real estate professionals. We
request the City ofIowa City to join us in sharing such understanding and confidence by favorably
considering a 24-month extension to the January 1,2008 Third Addition closing deadline, to January 1,
2010 found in Section G-2 of the Peninsula Neighborhood Development Agreement.
On behalf of PDC and its partners, I thank you for your consideration. If you require further information
or discussion, please do not hesitate to contact me at your earliest convenience.
s~__
Barry W. Kemper
Manager, Peninsula Development Company
CC: Jeff Davidson, City of Iowa City
Bob Miklo, City of Iowa City
Karin Franklin, City ofIowa City
PDC Partners
Recent Marketing Efforts
to Promote Home Sales
& the Peninsula Neighborhood in General
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The following provides a synopsis of marketing activities from the past 3 years.
Advertisin2
OPEN HOUSE ADS in Iowa City Press-Citizen
Both Alan Swanson and Gwen Johnson run regular display print ads to promote weekly open houses.
REAL ESTATE GUIDE ADS
On alternate Fridays, an ad for each of Alan has Peninsula Neighborhood listings in the ICPC's REAL
ESTATE GUIDE.
Lepik-Kroeger publishes their own guide in the ICPC with all Peninsula Listings included with
pictures.
Jeff Edberg also ran such advertising from 2005-2006.
WSUIIKSUI Public Radio
For 6+ months, Alan Swanson has been running "sponsorship" ads that mention his involvement in the
Peninsula Neighborhood and the project's attractiveness.
ALUMNI QUARTERLY
Alan runs color ads in 3 to 4 of the 6 annual Alumni quarterly published by the University of Iowa
Alumni Association to reach "returning" (retiring) alumni. Most of these ads feature at least one
Peninsula properties.
Peninsula Development Company ran 4 large (1 full page & 3 halfpage) display ads in the University
oflowa Alumni magazine in 2006.
DIRECT MAIL
In March 2007, Gwen Johnson sent targeted direct mail to area renters to promote the benefit of buying
in the Peninsula rather than renting as part of a "Rent vs. Buy" Promotion that included other events on
the Peninsula.
Peninsula Development Company participated in a group mailout to all incoming U of I Medical
residents in 2006.
PDC Sent out a Happy Holidays Direct mail to all area realtors in 2005.
POINT OF PURCHASE
Both Realtors maintain boxes of full color feature sheets promoting each property for passers by.
These are quite popular with the increase in traffic stemming from the new Dog Park.
At various times, these feature sheets have also included riders to promote recent discounts and
promotions, such as $3000 in free furniture or a cruise.
WEB
Kevin has overhauled the project web site so that the latest news and current listings are easy to find.
Also, Alan uses "Showcase" enhancements for listings on realtor. com.
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SIGNAGE 0 =~
Two attractive signs have been placed on the property to welcome visitors to the neimi)QJl1oo~.:~d
provide a map. All listed properties also have signs. ~ =~: ~~ =~~.
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GENERAL <: ..
Kevin, Alan and Gwen have made it a priority to work with the press to for favorable ~verag~~ In the
past 2 years, positive articles about the project have appeared in the Press Citizen and the Corridor
Business J oumal.
FOSTER CROSSING
Gwen, Kevin and Alan, along with 3 other builders and the cooperation of the City have worked to
rebrand the area along Foster Road as "Foster Crossing" to give it a sense of place and highlight the
wide range of amenities and housing options. This included a new logo design and press release. The
concept received favorable coverage in print and on TV.
Amenitv Improvement
Town Squares
Peninsula Development Company moved up the development of Founder' s Square and Emma Harvat
Square, completing them in 2006. This represented over $70,000 in improvements including irrigation
systems, brick monuments, lighting, sidewalks and landscaping. This was done earlier than planned to
improve the overall appearance of the neighborhood and help illustrate the new urbanist concept.
Dog Park
Peninsula Development Company gave back approximately 12 acres of land to the city to make the
dog park possible in its current location
Other Promotional Endeavors
In March 2007, The Peninsula Hosted a Brokers open house attended by 40+ realtors. This was held
during lunchtime and a complementary evening program was geared to first time homebuyers. Art
Floss of Countrywide Lending was on hand to explain the mortgage process and the listed properties
were open for touring.
In Sep., 2006 We held a "Lunch and Learn" at the Elks Golf Club with invited community leaders to
showcase all that was happening in the Foster Crossing area. Speakers included the area builders
giving updates on their project, a member the nearby church discussing growth plans and the City
Parks Director to discuss the new dog and disc golf parks. About 70 people attended.
In July 2006 we held a Brokers Open "Poker Run" to showcase the Foster Crossing area. This was
attended by 50+ Realtors.
The prior summer we hosed a catered open house on Founders Square to "reintroduce the Peninsula"
with a focus on the new 10ft and townhouse buildings.
Open Houses
Both Realtors conduct Open Houses on alternating weekends so that there is an open house every
weekend. Gwen and Alan work together so that all listed properties are available to show during the
open houses. These are often attended by 20+ visitors. Gwen also has done some Thursday evening
open houses to attract an After Work crowd.
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Parade of Homes :; ~;'; ~:.=
A home built by Gary Frakes Construction in Peninsula Neighborhood was featured 0B. me 2@
Parade of Homes '- .-' 0.....
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Advocacy C;2 ..
Alan, Kevin and Gwen have taken active and public stances in council meetings and ofiier fo~s to
address issues pertinent to the overall development of the area. These have included: the Foster.!
Crossing initiative, lobbying for an extension of city bus service to the Peninsula Neighborhood, the
addition of an additional pedestrian bridge across the Iowa River and public grants and city support of
a playground on Harvat square to benefit the entire area, including the Makinaw Village and Oakmont
developments which have no plans for such equipment.
""t';'l
Discounts & Premiums
2 houses on Foster road have been reduced by over $40k from the original asking price. Also, many of
the condos have been reduced by as much as $5k from the original asking price.
During the months of June & July 2007, a two pronged promotion has been in effect. Houses were
discounted by $10,000 - $20,000, Townhomes by $10,000 and Condos by $5,500. Also, the realtor
commission has been raised from 5% to 7%, with 4.5% going to the buyer agent to encourage activity
among realtors who do not have listings in the project.
At various times, special insertions in flyers and ads have promoted discounted pricing, free furniture,
luxury cruises and discounts for area employers.
Countrywide mortgage actively promotes flexible mortgage options to first time buyers or buyers with
special circumstances.
CJ
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Honorable Mayor and City Council
City of Iowa City
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
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Dear Mayor Wilburn and Councilors:
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We are writing on behalf of the Peninsula Development Company, LLC, (PDC) in
regards to your consideration for execution of a third amendment to the Peninsula
Neighborhood Development Agreement. Our intent is to lend support for the PDC and
their request for a third amendment.
It is our experience as an established real estate TEAM that the recent years have
been arduous for sellers. The new construction market is facing hardships due to the
increased supply of new and older homes, rising costs, slowing sales and the
fluctuations of mortgage options and rates. The Peninsula Neighborhood is no exception
to these difficult times. The noticeable increase in supply compounded with unstable
mortgage rates have made people wary of buying new homes. Buyers have ta1cen up the
"wait and see" attitude. This is most evident in the sales at the Peninsula.
These factors are seen both national and locally. And although the Iowa City
housing market tends to weather troubling economic factors well, we are not immune to
national market trends. We are not alone in these beliefs and speak not only from
experience but published facts:
Activity was down in all states of the region... preliminary
information for the first quarter of 2007 indicates that sales of
~xisting homes continued to slow in most areas of the region
compared with the first quarter of 2006. -U.S Department of
Housing and Urban Development, Spring 2007 Regional Report.
Higher mortgage interest rates and the moderate increase in home
prices have slowed existing home sales in the region. According to
the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS@ (NAR), the
annual rate of sales in the region (Plain States) was down more than
7 percent to 313,000 for 2006 compared with 2005. -U.S
Department of Housing and Urban Development, Spring 2007
Regional Report
Regionally, existing-home sales in the Midwest eased by 0.7 percent
in April to a level of 1.38 million, and are 11.5 percent below a year
ago. . . Lawrence Yun, NAR senior economist, isn't surprised.
"We've been anticipating slower home sales because many
subprime loan products are no longer available." -National
Association of Realtor, April Housing Report Publication.
The difficult news is that new developments can be among the hardest hit by a
decrease in market sales. If people buy in questionable times, they opt for an established
neighborhood with a demonstrated increase in property values and a proven community.
The good news is that during our time as a real estate TEAM we have seen the market
slow and rebound in a relatively quick timeframe. This market will pick up and the
Peninsula Neighborhood will be a wonderful success. Like any great idea, the Peninsula
Neighborhood needs patience and time to prosper and grow. The timing of the project
created a challenge that all us need to face head on, but with the combined support of the
community and city, the Peninsula will be a landmark neighborhood for decades to come.
We ask that you consider the execution of a third amendment to the Peninsula
Neighborhood Development Agreement and publicly support a neighborhood that the
citizens, city and many others are working so hard to build.
Sincerely,
-0
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The Gwen Johnson-TEAM
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MSeU~ Johnson Couna! One House At A TimeI"'
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CC:
Jeff Davidson, City of Iowa City
Bob Miklo, City of Iowa City
Karin Franklin, City of Iowa City
PDC Partners
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BLANK & McCUNE The Real Estate Company 506 E. College 81., Iowa City IA 52244-2404
June 25, 2007
Honorable Mayor and City Council
City of Iowa City
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City IA 52240
Dear Mayor Wilburn and Councilors:
I write to urge your positive consideration of the request for a two-year extension (by a third amendment to
the Peninsula Neighborhood Development Agreement) presented to you by Barry Kemper of Peninsula
Development Company, LLC (PDC), and I can attest that the market here is slower than in past years, but also
that despite this, I've seen growing good reaction to the Peninsula Neighborhood and I remain optimistic
about the Peninsula's future.
We have an oversupply of condominiums and homes in the Iowa City area at the same time that interest rates
are rising and national news stories (that really apply more profoundly to other areas of the country than the
Iowa City area) continue to worry and hold back many buyers in the housing market.
The Peninsula Neighborhood is atypical as contemporary developments go, and its unique positive qualities
appeal to certain audiences whom we need additional time to attract. As a realtor, I (and other supportive
realtors with Peninsula listings) enthusiastically continue to market the Peninsula Neighborhood in various
ways. Although currently we are in a "buyers' market," I see signs of recovery here. I personally will have sold
more property in the first half of 2007 than in all of 2006. One of my recent sales was to a lady who now lives
on the top floor of the large condo building across from the Peninsula's Founders Square, and she emailed me
last weekjust to say she "loves it out here."
We continue to promote all of Foster Road, and particularly the Peninsula Neighborhood, in various ways, but
also have been delighted with "dog park traffic" and increasing numbers of hikers and bikers who are
naturally drawn to its attractions. Some obviously are considering the area as a potential place to live. In the
last six months I've seen a marked increase in area realtors showing Peninsula homes and in individuals and
families spending time at Peninsula open houses.
I'm convinced that with the right amount of time (and our ongoing efforts), complete success-the kind we
dreamed of in the early community charettes that led to this great development-will come. The Peninsula
homes/phases will fill up, and there will one day be people waiting for property to "open up" out there.
I, for one, am up for the challenge, and I thank you for your consideration of an amendment to give us
additional time.
~r-C~~
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CC:
Jeff Davidson, City of Iowa City
Bob Miklo, City of Iowa City
Karin Franklin, City of Iowa City
PDC Partners
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Marian Karr
From:
Mommato6@aol.com
Wednesday, June 27,20072:23 PM
Council
Sent:
To:
Subject: Maediacom for Iowa City on two tv channels
This correspondence will become a public record.
I would like to respond to the article published in The Gazette Tuesday, June 26,2007.
I think it is VERY important for Iowa City to back WHBF- TV regarding Mediacom's offering of two local CBS
affiliates on its cable lineup.
We were elated last December when Mediacom decided to add the Rock Island station. And were further
elated when Mayor Ross Wilburn petitioned the FCC to allow keeping the Rock Island station in Iowa City.
We have been disturbed quite often with KGAN for several years because they always choose to carry football,
basketball, golf, soccer, pick-up-sticks (you get the idea) instead of carrying the CBS programs. I know one is
able to pick up on the new CBS program in the summertime as re-runs, but that is not satisfactory to us. We
like to view the new released programs as they occur. There are plenty of other stations where sports are
carried and we see no reason for KGAN to pre-empt those good programs in order to satisfy the "good ole'
boys".
Sinclair Barry Faber was quoted as saying KGAN contract with CBS specifically provides "market exclusivity" or
the exclusive right to air CBS programming. Well!!!!! The sports broadcasts are NOT exclusive to CBS. They
are carried on other channels.
Thank you for going to bat for the viewers of cable TV in Iowa City Mayor Wilburn.
Irene Klinzman
275 Paddock Cr.
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
Phone: 338-0765
e-mail: mQl]1mat06@aol.com
See what's free at AOL,gQffi.
6/27/2007
l~~i~~)
Marian Karr
From: Alex Pop [alexhawk@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, July 04, 2007 11 :07 PM
To: Council
Subject: worst fireworks ever in iowa city
Worst fireworks ever in iowa city
07/04/2007
SHAME!!!!
7/512007
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(10M- Jdcco h!i )
Petition to City Council of Iowa City for Action
On Storm Water Problems on Sandusky and Briar Drs.
It is about time the City of Iowa City take on the problem of the storm water
storage area back up which is filling up the back yards and causing water
damage in the homes on Sandusky Drive, North Briar Drive, Aspen Court,
Pepper Drive, and Taylor Drive in Southeast Iowa City.
This back up of storm water storage into the yards and homes has and will
present health hazards and physical damage if not cleaned up properly, as
demonstrated most recently in the approximately 7 inches of rain on the
morning of Friday, June 22.
We support diverting the storm water away from the undersized storm pipe
splitting the backyards between Sandusky and Briar to allow that pipe to
handle storm water with minimal flooding and not having construction tear
up our yards, trees and fences.
We the undersigned wish the Iowa City Council to fix this backyard and
home flooding problem. The past small attempts at berms and short walls
aren't working in any rain over 2 inches since 1981.
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Petition to City Council of Iowa City for Action
On Storm Water Problems on Sandusky and Briar Drs.
It is about time the City of Iowa City take on the problem of the storm water
storage area back up which is filling up the back yards and causing water
damage in the homes on Sandusky Drive, North Briar Drive, Aspen Court,
Pepper Drive, and Taylor Drive in Southeast Iowa City.
This back up of storm water storage into the yards and homes has and will
present health hazards and physical damage if not cleaned up properly, as
demonstrated most recently in the approximately 7 inches of rain on the
morning of Friday, June 22.
We support diverting the storm water away from the undersized storm pipe
splitting the backyards between Sandusky and Briar to allow that pipe to
handle storm water with minimal flooding and not having construction tear
up our yards, trees and fences.
We the undersigned wish the Iowa City Council to fix this backyard and
home flooding problem. The past small attempts at berms and short walls
aren't working in any rain over 2 inches since 1981. IJ
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