HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-10-02 Correspondence
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CITY OF IOWA CITY
MEMORANDUM
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Date: September 18, 2007
To: City Clerk
From: Kent Ralston, Acting Traffic Engineering Planner ~
Re: Item for October 2,2007 City Council meeting; Installation of (1) NO PARKING
HERE TO CORNER sign on Lucas 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), install (1) NO PARKING HERE TO CORNER sign on the east
side of Lucas Street approximately 20' south of Washington Street.
Comment:
This action is being taken at the request of Iowa City Transit in order to provide adequate room
for bus turning movements at the Lucas Street / Washington Street intersection.
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CITY OF IOWA CITY
MEMORANDUM
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Date: September 18, 2007
To: City Clerk
From: Kent Ralston; Acting Traffic Engineering Planner ~
Re: Item for October 2, 2007 City Council meeting; Installation of (1) STOP sign on the
Southwest corner of the Court Street / Taft Avenue intersection
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 (5), install (1) STOP sign on the Southwest corner of the Court
Street / Taft Avenue intersection.
Comment:
This action is being taken at the request of the Iowa City Engineering Department.
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From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Brian Chalupa [delsw40@yahoo.com]
Sunday, September 16, 2007 9:41 PM
Council
Please do what you know is right.
Brian Chalupa
2232 10th St. #5
Coralville, IA 52241-1352
September 16, 2007
Iowa City Council
Dear Iowa City Council:
Marijuana is pretty common. Many people who use it have never hurt anyone and work hard
every day. Moreover, no one has ever overdosed on marijuana.
Why, then, do we put people who use or possess this drug in jail with killers and thieves?
I read this article that says we have a huge problem with our jail
population:
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n603/a06.html?30111
If our law enforcement is ready to move forward on this issue and change the way we handle
simple marijuana possession cases, I hope you will make an effort to accommodate them.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Brian Chalupa
1
I]::
Marian Karr
From: Allgood, Jean M [jean-allgood@uiowa.edu]
Sent: Friday, September 14, 2007 9:42 AM
To: Council
Subject: Is inhaling wood smoke HEALTHIER than inhaling yard waste smoke/refuse smoke?
No, it's not, so why isn't it banned and included in the open burning code of Iowa City???
Dear Council Member,
Open burning of fire pits needs to be banned in Iowa City and included in the code. I've always been
thankful that the IC government has prohibited open burning for the health and betterment of the
community but now it needs to include the campfire pits (which has harmful health effects). In the
past, I looked forward to the cooler nights and being able to turn off the air conditioner and open the
windows to fresh air. Now that fire pits are available, the second you open the window smoke
pollution from the fire pits comes in and lingers in the house for hours. We have to quickly
close up the house and suffer with difficulty breathing, headache, and burning eyes and
throat. This year we made a major improvement to our house by adding a sunroom which we
hoped to enjoy but cannot use as long as open burning is allowed in IC. I am aware I can call
and complain to have the fire extinguished but by that time we have already been exposed to
the pollution and neighborly hard feelings are sure to follow (would you be comfortable doing
that to your neighbor?).
Please take immediate action and ban open fire pit burning in Iowa City. I talked with the fire
marshal who said it's a problem for many people in Iowa City.
If you have doubts to the health effects of burning wood, please check the following websites
that I obtained through Iowa's website. This is just a few--I'm sure you can find many more.
http://www.pca.state.mn.us/air/woodsmoke/healtheffects.html
httQ~LLbJJIntng iss1!~_~. org/ ca r :www / eQ~ cation/ secondwi nd. htmJ
http://burningissues.org/car-www/science/outdoor-firepit -page. html
hUQ:/ /wwyv. \[twoodsmo}se .org/pdf/ ALAParti~u late. Rdf
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/pubs/92046.pdf
Thanks for your attention to this matter,
Jean Allgood
9/14/2007
Page 1 of 1
Marian Karr
From:
John Grier
Sent: Monday, September 24, 2007 2:29 PM
To: 'jean-allgood@uiowa.edu'
Cc: Dale Helling; *City Council; Andy Rocca; Roger Jensen
Subject: Portable Outdoor Fireplaces
Sensitivity: Confidential
Dear Ms. Allgood:
This letter is written as a follow-up to your recent email to the City Council regarding open burning in approved
portable outdoor fireplaces.
As I informed you during our phone conversations, the City Council made a policy decision to allow the use of
these devices provided they are used in accordance with City Code. Consequently, the Fire Department cannot
prohibit or extinguish fires determined to comply with the code.
The City Council has given first consideration to the ordinance adopting the 2006 International Fire Code which
includes the following amendments related to open burning and recreational fires:
Section 307.1.1 Prohibited Burning
Burning that is offensive or objectionable because of smoke or odor emissions or when atmospheric conditions or
local circumstances make such fire hazardous shall be prohibited.
Section 307.1.2 Hours of Operation
A person shall not maintain any outdoor burning from 11 p.rn. to 7 a.m. unless permitted and approved by the fire
code official.
Section 307.3 Extinguishment Authority
The fire code official is authorized to order the extinguishment by the responsible person or the fire department of
any burning that creates or adds to a hazardous or objectionable situation.
While these proposed changes do not address your request to ban all open burning or help with ensuring no
neighborly hard feelings, they do clarify important enforcement issues for our department. In order for the Fire
Department to address your concerns further, the City Council will need to reconsider their position on the use of
portable outdoor fireplaces.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
IOWA CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT
John M. Grier, Fire Marshal
Iowa City Fire Department
410 E. Washington Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
(319) 356-5257
. john-grier@iowa-city.org
9/24/2007
Marian Karr
[;[
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Rod Sullivan [rodsullivan@mchsi.com]
Thursday, September 13, 2007 3:09 PM
Council
<no subject>
This correspondence will become a public record.
9-13-07
Dear Iowa City City Council:
My name is Rod Sullivan, and I live at 2326 E. Court Street in Iowa City. I am
writing you today to express my dismay at your most recent proposal to use Tax Increment
Financing (TIF).
I do not believe using TIF for Mercy Hospital makes any sense. It is my
understanding that Mercy will pay about $226,000 annually in property taxes on the
proposed new clinic. Iowa City will rebate up to $600,000 in taxes per year until 2013.
That is $600,000 per year enough to fund the ten firefighters needed to outfit a north
side fire station. (Ironically, the proposed Mercy facility is on the north side.)
Councilor Elliot, I already know what you are going to say. You are going to respond,
'Iowa City has used TIFs very judiciously.'
I looked up the word judicious. According to the online dictionary, judicious is defined
as: having, exercising, or characterized by good or discriminating judgment; wise,
sensible, or well advised.
I would argue that the recent decisions by Iowa City to forego tax revenue are neither
wise, nor sensible, nor well advised. So why do it?
I have given this some thought, and I have come to believe that these judgments are made
out of fear. Iowa City Councilors fear being seen as anti-business when compared to their
neighbors. I find this an extremely poor justification for foregoing tax revenue.
Allow me to make an analogy. I am fat. Living next to a 500-pound man may make me look
thin by comparison, but I am still overweight. Iowa City may not overuse TIFs to the
extent of other cities, but we still have a problem.
We live in a community full of scientists. Chemists, biologists, physicists, social and
political scientistsS the scientific method is important to our community. A basic
understanding of the scientific method would lead us to question the use of TIFs. We have
no quantitative proof that TIFs work.
(Most research demonstrates otherwise.) We do not collect data on the effectiveness of
TIFs. Most importantly, we have never tested the 'but for' theory that drives the use of
TIFs.
You know this theory. No building would ever be built and no job would ever be retained
but for the use of TIF. Can this be proven? No. The only way I see to prove it is to say
no to someone. Then we have a control.
Could Mercy go elsewhere? They could go to Coralville or North Liberty. In either case
citizens who already have to drive to Northgate would just need to drive a bit farther.
The consumer does not seem to get hurt in this equation.
If you do want to read research on the use of TIFs, I can recommend an excellent book.
Read 'The Great American Jobs Scam' by Greg LeRoy (available at the ICPL). LeRoy debunks
several common myths, such as 'Company X would have left the community but for these
incentives.' LeRoy writes at length about TIF, Enterprise Zones, and many other common
1
economic development tools used by municipalities in the name of growth.
This book also notes the work of UI Professors Peter Fisher and Alan Peters.
The small businesspeople of our community continue to pay full taxes on their properties.
There are no breaks for them. TIFs perpetuate the shift of the tax burden from the wealthy
to the rest of us.
Unfortunately, I do not hold out much hope. Iowa City continues to shift the tax burden
from the rich to the rest of us. I do not expect a sudden change.
But Mercy Hospital? What ever happened to 3giving to Caesar that which belongs to Caesar2?
Mercy Hospital, I expected better.
Councilors, please do the right thing, and deny the proposed TIF for Mercy Hospital. City
Council candidates, please think this topic through.
Sincerely,
Rod Sullivan
2326 E. Court St.
Iowa City, IA 52245
2
~1f (5)
Bob Elliott
1108 Dover Street, Iowa City, Iowa 52240
October 1,2007
Rod Sullivan
2326 East Court Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52245
Hello Rod:
Thanks for your letter expressing concern about use of tax increment financing (TIF) in
our city's economic development efforts. It's a concept worthy of discussion.
You're half right about how I would respond to your criticism. Our use ofTIF has been
judicious and productive. The fact that TIF has involved only 3.3% ofIowa City's total
assessed property value illustrates judicious use. The productive aspect is probably best
illustrated by Sycamore Mall and nearby businesses.
In 2004 the mall was decaying and becoming a blight on southeast Iowa City, with
similar problems for a nearby former bowling alley. With a TIF agreement enabling the
city to partner with mall management in the revitalization process, the benefits to Iowa
City, the mall, and the nearby businesses are clear. In addition to now thriving, the mall
and nearby businesses have seen the total assessed value of their properties increase by
more than $10 million, providing net increases in county, school, and city taxes.
In the business world, corporations have learned the hard way that it's counter productive
to short change investments in growth and development. Likewise, thoughtful uses of
TIF represent an investment in our city's fiscal future.
Iowa City has no tax source other than local property taxes. For business and industry
operating in Iowa City, we tax their property at well more than twice the rate paid by you,
me, and other residential property owners. That makes it even more difficult to increase
our funding by increasing our commercial property tax base. Using TIF as a financial tool
to work with quality businesses and industries, we're able to reasonably and fairly
leverage decisions beneficial to our city. That includes such decisions as site location,
building design, environmental concerns, and employment compensation..
319/351-4056
elliottb53@aol.com
Rod Sullivan
Page 2
On a related issue, your letter states, "Iowa City Councilors fear being seen as mli-
business when compared to their neighbors." Based on my experience living and
working in this city for more than 40 years, I don't fear our city is seen as anti-business.
know it's seen by many as anti-business.
:-~)
In addition to far too many zoning regulations based on personal preferences for design
and other appearances, we require commercial development and expansion to jump
through numerous time-consuming bureaucratic hoops, appearing unaware or uncaring
that in business, time is money. Recent examples coming immediately to mind include
the following:
One of our oldest local banks investing in a southside commercial area expansion had to
wait six months to get approval for a routine electronic sign; after a long-time Riverside
Drive business was damaged by a tornado, it took nearly three months for the city to
approve replacing it's missing trademark sign; over-zealous regulatory attempts caused
about a two-year delay in approving a new medical office near Mercy Hospital; similarly,
extensive delays were caused by technical requirements when a closed northside
supermarket grocery store building was changing to a locally-owned hardware store.
The fact that too many view our city as anti-business is probably one reason the u.s.
Census Bureau recently reported Iowa City experienced population growth of less than
one-half of one percent (223 people), for the period between 200 and 2006.
That compares with 86.3% growth by North Liberty (4,629 people) and 18.7% growth by
Coralville (2,836 people). Given that, it appears our economic development efforts may
have been at least partially responsible for the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
reporting Iowa City's economic growth at 3.1 % from 2004 to 2005.
It's not unreasonable for you to questions ifit can be proven TIF is really necessary in
local business/industry expansion and attracting new business/industry. My answer is I
don't know ifit can be proven. Thus, it's reasonable to infer it might have happened
anyway in one or more instances, though in ways less desirable and less beneficial for our
city.
Rod Sullivan
Page 3
For discussion purposes, it's also reasonable to point out there are those who have similar
questions about tax funds providing a range of services for low income individuals. Can
it be proven those funds never go to persons capable of supporting themselves, but prefer
relying on government's financial support? Certainly, most of us have known of such
instances, but that does not and should not cause us to discontinue providing assistance
for persons without sufficient financial resources of their own.
Finally, I strongly believe in public-private partnerships as a method of expanding our
property tax base, and also as a concept to leverage existing or new businesses and
industries to develop in ways beneficial to both the firms and our city.
And by the way Rod, I disagree with another assertion in your letter. You may be
mistaken about TIF, but you're not fat. You're husky. Muscular even.
With regards,
fd
~ Iowa City's city council
I :;~~)-
Marian Karr
From:
Sent:
To:
Herteen & Stocker Inc. [herteenandstocker@mcleodusa.net]
Friday, September 21,20072:48 PM
Marian Karr
Subject: In front of Herteen & Stocker Jewelers on any given day for the city councils consideration.
Attachments: trash on ped maII.JPG; transients sleeping on benches.JPG
On any given day this is the sights we have out our windows. Transients sleeping on the benches and starting at
3:30 p.m., large amount of younger people with the litter much worse than pictured. I don't think this is the
ambiance that we are looking for on our pedestrian mall. We feel downtown Iowa City has the largest
concentration of people at any given time during the day and feel police presence would be a help in making
people feel more comfortable in our downtown.
Willa Dickens
Herteen & Stocker Jewelers
101 S. Dubuque St.
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
338-4212
herteenandstocker@mcleodusa.net
9/21/2007
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Marian Karr
From: Marian Karr
Sent: Monday, September 24, 2007 3:29 PM
To: 'Cliff Thompson'; Council
Subject: RE: open meeting on electric lighting ordinance
City Council set public hearings for October 2 to hear public input on the MidAmerican natural gas and electric
franchises. The ordinance will not be voted on that evening. At this time, first consideration of the ordinance is
scheduled for October 16. Council may amend the ordinance after public input.
.4Itvdmt .7l .Jiau
City Clerk
City of Iowa City
Population 62,380
(phone) 319-356-5041
(fax) 319-356-5497
From: c1iff-thompson@hotmail.com [mailto:c1iff-thompson@hotmail.com] On Behalf Of Cliff Thompson
Sent: Sunday, September 23,2007 1:59 PM
To: Council
Subject: open meeting on electric lighting ordinance
The previous council meeting on 8/19 showed a meeting to be held October 2 in relation to the contract with
Mid-American for their electric light contract. Meeting records indicate to me that the forum is set up.
When is that public discussion?
Will the ordinance be up for public discussion and will further council amendment of the ordinance be based on
that discussion?
Thank you,
Cliff Thompson
More photos; more messages; more whatever - Get MORE with Windows Live™ Hotmail@. NOW with 5GB
storage. Get more!
9/24/2007
G[
Marian Karr
From: Lauren Kokott [lashley1@hotmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2007 10:30 PM
To: Council
Subject: smoke-free iowa
I've been doing research on the smoking bans that many states have already passed and I see that Iowa is one
of the FEW that hasn't banned any sort of smoking in public places. If you go to smokefreeworld.com, you'll see
that all but SEVEN states have passed laws against smoking in public places. Although some have only passed
these laws in certain counties, Iowa has done NOTHING!!
I find it absolutely DISGUSTING that you can go out to eat for lunch or dinner and diners can just light up at the
table next to you. Those are the restaurants that I will NEVER go back to. Then there are the restaurant/bars in
which you can smoke at 9 or ten. Once 9 o'clock rolls around, I feel like the entire bar lights up. I don't
understand how this is still legal in Iowa. I see Iowa as a state that cares about family and health...and allowing
smoking seems to do nothing but negate that.
I may be impartial to the subject of smoking because I developed chronic laryngitis from working in a smokey
environment, but that just goes to prove how hazardous second-hand smoking is to people's health. Don't you
think that the fact that 28 states have gone completely non-smoking says that it should not be legal in Iowa?! I
am 24 years old, so I actually DO have a choice as to where I dine, but children don't. There are a MAJORITY of
parents that don't think twice about bringing their children into smoking restaurants. And children are the
demographic in which smoking affects the most since their lungs aren't fully developed. They are helpless; they
don't know how dangerous secondhand smoke is to their health.
I hate cigarette smoking with a passion. I am so incredibly sensitive to it. If ONE person lights up on the
opposite side of a restaurant, I can smell it within seconds. My eyes start to water, I start sneezing and I develop
migraines. I'm happy to say my laryngitis is no longer a condition in which I have to deal with since the
restaurant I work at went non-smoking until bartime. I just feel that allowing smoking in bars and restaurants is
so unfair to nonsmokers. If the smoke is bothersome to as little as ONE person, I feel that it should be banned.
Smoking is nothing like drinking. If I have a beer next to a non-drinker, the non-drinker feels no side-effects..but
if a smoker lights up next to me, I'm basically kicked out of the restaurant. I ask for my check, box my food and
leave. Does that seem right?
I'm so completely grossed out by even the thought of cigarette smoke. I hate living in a state that is of the
minority in our country. If you go on the uiowa public health website, they list a few of the 4 THOUSAND
plus ingredients in a cigarette...not a SINGLE one alone should allow for cigarettes to even be legal.
hmm....let's see. There's:
ammonia: a household cleaner
anglica root extract: causes cancer in animals
arsenic: used in rat poisons
benzene: used to make dyes and synthetic rubbers
butane gas: used in lighter fluid
carbon monoxide: a poisonous gas
cadmium: used in batteries
cyanide: a deadly poison
DDT: a BANNED insecticide
ethyl furoate: causes liver damage in animals
formaldehyde: USED TO PRESERVE DEAD SPECIMENS
methoprene: an insecticide
9/26/2007
Page 2 of2
napthalene: ingredient in mothballs
methyl isocyanate: its accidental release killed 2000 people in India in 1984
polonium: a caner-causing radioactive element
Just from reading that list of ingredients, are you really proud to say that you're FOR smoking in public places in
iowa city?
I just find in really unfair that I had to spend the amount money I had to on doctor appointments and
prescriptions caused by secondhand smoke when I've never even smoked a cigarette in my LIFE! I basically was
almost forced to quit my job.
I really hope to see Iowa join the rest of this country in banning cigarette smoking in public places....and it's not
going to if you don't stand up and fight for this.
How sad does IOWA look on this page b1!;p~www.~mokefreew9rld.com/usa.shtml
Thank you for you time. I hope to see many changes in the near future.
Lauren Kokott
127 E College St #3
Iowa City, IA 52240
Can you find the hidden words? Take a break and play Seekadoo! Play now!
9/26/2007
Page 1 of2
~t-4-1 f.: (r )
Marian Karr
From: Dale Helling
Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2007 4:55 PM
To: 'Lauren KokoU'
Cc: Council
Subject: RE: smoke-free iowa
Dear Lauren,
Thank you for your email to the City Council regarding "Smoke-free Iowa". It has been forwarded to Council as
part of the October 2 regular council meeting consent agenda.
The City of Iowa City continues to actively encourage the State legislature to enact the enabling legislation
necessary for local governments to regulate smoking in public venues such as restaurants. Such an ordinance
was passed by the City a few years ago but was later repealed when a similar ordinance in effect in Ames, Iowa
was found by the courts to be unconstitutional. Thus the need for the legislature to specifically grant such
regulatory authority to local government.
I hope this information is helpful.
Sincerely,
Dale Helling
Interim City Manager
From: Lauren Kokott [mailto:lashley1@hotmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2007 10:30 PM
To: Council
Subject: smoke-free iowa
I've been doing research on the smoking bans that many states have already passed and I see that Iowa is one
of the FEW that hasn't banned any sort of smoking in public places. If you go to smokefreeworld.com, you'll see
that all but SEVEN states have passed laws against smoking in public places. Although some have only passed
these laws in certain counties, Iowa has done NOTHING!!
I find it absolutely DISGUSTING that you can go out to eat for lunch or dinner and diners can just light up at the
table next to you. Those are the restaurants that I will NEVER go back to. Then there are the restaurant/bars in
which you can smoke at 9 or ten. Once 9 o'clock rolls around, I feel like the entire bar lights up. I don't
understand how this is still legal in Iowa. I see Iowa as a state that cares about family and health...and allowing
smoking seems to do nothing but negate that.
I may be impartial to the subject of smoking because I developed chronic laryngitis from working in a smokey
environment, but that just goes to prove how hazardous second-hand smoking is to people's health. Don't you
think that the fact that 28 states have gone completely non-smoking says that it should not be legal in Iowa?! I
am 24 years old, so I actually DO have a choice as to where I dine, but children don't. There are a MAJORITY of
parents that don't think twice about bringing their children into smoking restaurants. And children are the
demographic in which smoking affects the most since their lungs aren't fully developed. They are helpless; they
don't know how dangerous secondhand smoke is to their health.
10/112007
Page 2 of2
I hate cigarette smoking with a passion. I am so incredibly sensitive to it. If ONE person lights up on the
opposite side of a restaurant, I can smell it within seconds. My eyes start to water, I start sneezing and I develop
migraines. I'm happy to say my laryngitis is no longer a condition in which I have to deal with since the
restaurant I work at went non-smoking until bartime. I just feel that allowing smoking in bars and restaurants is
so unfair to nonsmokers. If the smoke is bothersome to as little as ONE person, I feel that it should be banned.
Smoking is nothing like drinking. If I have a beer next to a non-drinker, the non-drinker feels no side-effects..but
if a smoker lights up next to me, I'm basically kicked out of the restaurant. I ask for my check, box my food and
leave. Does that seem right?
I'm so completely grossed out by even the thought of cigarette smoke. I hate living in a state that is of the
minority in our country. If you go on the uiowa public health website, they list a few of the 4 THOUSAND
plus ingredients in a cigarette...not a SINGLE one alone should allow for cigarettes to even be legal.
hmm....let's see. There's:
ammonia: a household cleaner
anglica root extract: causes cancer in animals
arsenic: used in rat poisons
benzene: used to make dyes and synthetic rubbers
butane gas: used in lighter fluid
carbon monoxide: a poisonous gas
cadmium: used in batteries
cyanide: a deadly poison
DDT: a BANNED insecticide
ethyl furoate: causes liver damage in animals
formaldehyde: USED TO PRESERVE DEAD SPECIMENS
methoprene: an insecticide
napthalene: ingredient in mothballs
methyl isocyanate: its accidental release killed 2000 people in India in 1984
polonium: a caner-causing radioactive element
Just from reading that list of ingredients, are you really proud to say that you're FOR smoking in public places in
iowa city?
I just find in really unfair that I had to spend the amount money I had to on doctor appointments and
prescriptions caused by secondhand smoke when I've never even smoked a cigarette in my LIFE! I basically was
almost forced to quit my job.
I really hope to see Iowa join the rest of this country in banning cigarette smoking in public places....and it's not
going to if you don't stand up and fight for this.
How sad does IOWA look on this page http...;j/www.smokefre~world.com/usa.shtml
Thank you for you time. I hope to see many changes in the near future.
Lauren Kokott
127 E College St #3
Iowa City, IA 52240
Can you find the hidden words? Take a break and play Seekadoo! Play now!
1011/2007
Marian Karr
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Sharon Pirnat [sharonp@mchsLcom]
Tuesday, September 25, 2007 4:07 PM
Council
bars and smoking in cars
This correspondence will become a public record.
First i am against regulating smoking in a restaurant that is privately owned, it is
leading down a path of government control..
Would like to see an ordinance where smoking in a car in Iowa City is illegal when there
are children in the vehicle. .Vehicle owner ship is a privilege and does not include
endangering the young whom have no options.
As far as the underage persons in bars and person getting arrested for being drunk. The
city should institute a stamp for each bar, every patron would receive the mark from the
stamp.. If that person is stopped and issued a ticket the bars stamped on that person
would also be responsible for the fines leveled on the arrested.
clifford pirnat
1
Marian Karr
[;[
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Kathryn Johansen
Wednesday, September 26,200710:59 AM
'thorn as. saterfiel@act.org'
*City Council
RE: Side Walk Problems
Good morning, Tom:
Your message has been forwarded to the Housing and Inspection Services Department. An
inspector will visit this location and address your concern.
Thank you for writing.
Sincerely,
Kathi Johansen
Administrative Assistant
to the City Manager
319 356-5010
-----Original Message-----
From: thomas.saterfiel@act.org [mailto:thomas.saterfiel@act.org]
Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2007 4:12 PM
To: Council
Subject: Side Walk Problems
To Whom It May Concern:
If you go to where Burlington St. hits Muscatine Ave and go to the
sidewalks on the east side of the street just past the bus stop you will
see a double row of cedar bushes. They are nearly blocking the ability for
someone to walk on the sidewalk, especially after the rain. Please see if
someone can get these bushes cut back so people ca~ get through on the
sidewalk.
Tom Saterfiel
1
Marian Karr
From: Jann Ream
Sent: Tuesday, October 02,200710:16 AM
To: 'thomas.saterfiel@act.org'
Cc: *City Council; Kathryn Johansen
Subject: sidewalks
Page 1 of 1
#'i~/] (1)
Tom - As you are aware, this is an ongoing problem every year. I have tried to be understanding and work with
the three property owners whose bushes cause this problem but I think the time has come for a permanent
solution. These are very old mature cedar bushes and the property owners are reluctant to cut the bushes back
all the way because it would basically cut the bushes in half - exposing interior wood and possibly killing the
bush. Because their properties are where Burlington dead ends into Muscatine, they see these bushes as their
buffer from headlights coming down Burlington. While I am empathetic to their problem, the sidewalks need to be
clear for pedestrian traffic. I have contacted our Legal department to determine if the City can require complete
removal of the bushes. When I contacted the owners last year, I expressed to them that this might be a possibility
in coming years and that they should start thinking about other solutions to their buffering requirements (like a
new row of bushes planter further back). If it is determined that we cannot require complete removal of the
bushes, I will require that the bushes be completely trimmed back to the right of way line. If the owners do not do
that, I can (and will) hire a contractor to do the work and bill the property owners. That said, I will still have to
check with Legal to see what the ramifications to the City will be if the trimming seriously damages or kills the
bushes.
This will take a while to work through in order to get a permanent solution to this problem and I do ask for your
patience. While it might take longer, I think now is the time rather than just putting a "band-aid" on the problem
year after year. Please feel free to call me in you have any questions about the process.
Jann Ream
Code Enforcement Assistant
319-356-5120
10/212007
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JAMES A. MONDANARO
3699 FOREST GATE DRIVE NE
IOWA CITY, IA 52240
PH.319-337-9616 CELL 319-631-0437
o
September 26, 2007
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Members
City Council of Iowa City
410 E. Washington St.
Iowa City, IA 52240
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Re: Advertisement in OnCampus319 Magazine for Saloon's Outdoor Seating Area
Dear Members of the City Council:
I am writing to extend my sincere apology for the Saloon advertisement that appeared in
OnCampus3l9 magazine stating "check out the newest beer garden in town." The reference to our
new outdoor seating area as a "beer garden" was most unfortunate and certainly caught many,
including me, by surprise.
It has never been our intent to have our new outdoor seating area be a beer garden, and we have
never represented the outdoor seating area in this way. The advertisement was initiated shortly after
we received approval for the outdoor seating area and shortly before the magazine's scheduled
production run. Unfortunately no proof of the ad was presented to me prior to the printing of the
magazine. The first I knew of the wording in the ad was after the magazine had been printed and
distributed. "Beer garden" was not used by me or any of my staff in any discussion of the outdoor
seating area, and I would have not allowed the ad to run the way it was had we had any indication
that reference would have been made to a "beer garden."
Weare thrilled to have our new outdoor seating area completed and open to the public. The finished
product speaks for itself. Any of you who have had the opportunity to dine with us in the outdoor
area certainly know that this area is totally committed to the enjoyment of the finest that Iowa City
has to offer in outdoor ambience for dining. It is not, and will not become, a "beer garden."
I very much appreciate the opportunity the City has provided to me and I do not take lightly the
responsibility I have to comply with all conditions of the use of this area.
My sincere apology for any inconvenience or embarrassment this ad has caused any of you and the
City oflowa City.
Sincerely,
; ~ t:l /)t{~
J ames A. Mondanaro
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Iowa City. Iowa
September 25, 2007
Mr. John Yapp. Transportation Planner
City of Iowa City
410 East Washington St
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
Dear Mr. Yapp:
I have received your letter of september 17 announcing the resutts of the survey you made In regaros to
changing the name of the southern portion of Monnon Trek Boulevard to McCollister Boulevard. I think the
results were predictable in that business owners would not want to change their address due to their
investment and possible confusion to customers.
That doeS not change the fact that Mormon Trek Is predominantly a norttHouth thOroughfare vAllie the
southem portion is and east-west street. .
Therefore. I suggest an alternative: Change MOrmon Trek to McColliSter only between Old HighWay 218
(Riverside DrIve) and Dane Road. ThIs tncIudes an of the portion that Is east..west. and it doeS not Involve the
present business owners. There would be no need for a survey, and the time to do it is now before there is
any business development along that portion of the street.
Please consider this at your eaftiest convenience before any buSinesses are built there with a big investment
In their address.
Sincerely yours,
~.~
'4082 Dane Road SE
Iowa City, IA 52240
Tel: 354-3630
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CITY OF IOWA CITY
October 2, 2007
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City. Iowa 52240-1826
(319) 356-5000
(319) 356-5009 FAX
www.icgov.org
The Honorable Pat Harney, Chair
Johnson County Board of Supervisors
913 S. Dubuque Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
RE: CZ07-00002
Dear Pat and Members of the Board:
Johnson County has received an application from Streb Investment Partners to rezone
approximately 4.99 acres from agricultural (A) to residential (R3) located in Fringe Area C on the
north side of Rohret Road, approximately one-half mile west of the Rohret Road and Landon
Avenue intersection.
At its September 20, 2007 meeting, the Iowa City Planning and Zoning Commission
recommended, by a vote of 7-0, that the City Council forward a letter to the Board 'Of
Supervisors indicating that the City finds that the requested rezoning is not in compliance with
the Fringe Area Agreement.
The Commission felt that the request was inconsistent with the policies contained within the
Fringe Area Agreement for Area C. These policies seek to provide for orderly and efficient
development patterns appropriate to a non-urbanized area, protect and preserve the fringe area's
natural resources and environmentally sensitive features, direct development to areas with
physical characteristics which can accommodate development, and effectively and economically
provide services for future growth and development. To further guide the implementation of this
policy the agreement contains a land use map which identifies appropriate land uses within the
fringe area. This map identifies the applicant's property as appropriate for agricultural purposes.
Furthermore, this property is within one-half mile of the current city limits and is within the City's
identified Growth Area. The Fringe Area Agreement generally encourages that land within the
growth area be annexed into the city prior to development.
Based on the above reasoning, Council agrees with the recommendation of the Planning and
Zoning Commission, and finds that the requested rezoning of approximately 4.99 acres from
agricultural (A) to residential (R3) is inconsistent with the policies of the Fringe Area Agreement for
Area C, and therefore we ask that the requested rezoning be denied.
Sincerely,
~
Ross Wilburn
Mayor
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-... -
CITY OF IOWA CITY
October 2, 2007
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City. Iowa 52240-1826
(319) 356-5000
(319) 356-5009 FAX
The Honorable Pat Harney, Chair
Johnson County Board of Supervisors
913 S. Dubuque Street \
\
Iowa City, IA 52240
RE: CZ07 -00002
Dear Pat and Members of the Board;.\.'.
Johnson County has received an ~pplication from Str~lnve5tment Partners to rezone
approxi.mately 4.99 acres from agri~ultural (A) to resid~nya1 (R3) located in Fringe Area C on the
north side of Rohret Road, approximately one-half mjJe west of the Rohret Road and Landon
Avenue intersection. '
At its September 20, 2007 meeting, the lo\Va City Planning and Zoning Commission
recommended, by a vote of 7-0, that the City Council forward a letter to the Board of
Supervisors indicating that the City finds that the requested rezoning is not in compliance with
the Fringe Area Agreement.
The Commission felt that the reque&.f was inconsistent with the policies contained within the
Fringe Area Agreement for Area C': These policies seek to provide for orderly and efficient
development patterns appropriate to a non-urbanized area, p~otect and preserve the fringe area's
natural resources and environmentally sensitive features, ~irect development to areas with
physical characteristics which can accommodate development\ and effectively and economically
provide services for future growth and development. To further\~uide the implementation of this
policy the agreement contains a land use map which identifies . propriate land uses within the
fringe area. This map idelltifies the applicant's property as approp ilate for agricultural purposes.
Furthermore, this propertY is within one-half mile of the current city 'mits and is within the City's
identified Growth Area, The Fringe Area Agreement generally enc!:o rages that land within the
. growth area be anne~ed into the city prior to development.
Based on the above reasoning, Council agrees with the recommendatio., of the Planning and
Zoning Commission, and finds that the requested rezoning of approxim~ely 4.99 acres from
agricultural (A) to residential (R3) is inconsistent with the policies of the Fringe. Area Agreement for
Area C, and therefore we ask that the requested rezoning be denied.
Sincerely,
(
Ross Wilburn
Mayor
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CITY OF IOWA CITY
MEMORANDUM
Date:
September 20,2007
To:
Planning and Zoning Commission
From:
Adam Ralston, Planning Intern
Item REZ07-00013, Rezoning from Agricultural (A) to Residential (R3)
Re:
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The applicant, AI Streb of Streb Investments, is requesting a rezC)ning from Agricultural (A) to
Residential (R3) for approximately 4.99 acres of property located along the north side of Rohret
Road approximately % mile southwest of the Rohret Road and Landon Avenue intersection. This
property lies outside the city limits of Iowa City, but is within the area covered by the Fringe Area
Policy Agreement between Johnson County and Iowa City. It also lies within the Iowa City long-
range growth boundary.
ANAL YSIS
Existing Land Use and Zoning
This property is currently zoned and used for agricultural purposes. All adjacent properties are
also currently zoned and used for agriculture, with the exception of a residence on the south side
of Rohret Road southeast of this property.
Compliance with Comprehensive Plan
The Fringe Area Agreement, an element of the Comprehensive Plan, is intended to provide
guidance regarding the development of land located within two miles of Iowa City's corporate
limits. It was mutually agreed to by the City of Iowa City and Johnson County. The agreement's
stated purpose is to provide for orderly and efficient development patterns appropriate to a non-
urbanized area, protect and preserve the fringe area's natural resources and environmentally
sensitive features, direct development to areas with physical! characteristics which can
accommodate development, and effectively and economically provide services for future growth
and development. To further guide the implementation of this policy the agreement contains a
land use map which identifies appropriate land uses with in the fringe area. The applicant's
property is identified as appropriate for agricultural purposes. This is also the designation given to
it by the Johnson County Land Use Plan. Therefore the requested rezoning is not incompliance
with the Fringe Area Agreement or the Johnson County Land Use Plan.
In describing general standards applied to unincorporated development in the fringe area, the
Fringe Area Agreement seeks to "Discourage development in areas which conflict with the
Johnson County Land Use Plan which considers CSR (Corn Suitabjlity Rating), high water table,
wetlands, floodplain, non-erodible soil, and road suitability." The County's Land Use Plan
discourages development in the City's growth area unless it is contiguous to previous outward
growth of the city. The Johnson County Land Use Plan generally seeks to preserve agricultural
land and minimize conflicts between incompatible uses. Rezoning this property from agricultural
to residential would not support either of these goals.
As noted above this parcel is within Iowa City's growth are (the area identified for eventual
annexation into the city). The Fringe Area Agreement generally encourages that land with the
growth area be annexed into the city prior to development. Until the outward growth of the city
reaches this parcel it may continue to be used for agricultural purposes.
September 14,2007
Page 2
Infrastructure
The applicant has indicated that a well and septic system would. be put in place should this
rezoning be approved. These options are not ideal for a parcel within the city's growth boundary.
A stated purpose of the Fringe Area Agreement is to "...effectively and economically provide
services for future growth and development." As the city expand$ outward over time, existing
rural residences must be switched over to City services. The smallest number of residences
requiring such a switch over results in the services being provided economically, as desired in the
Fringe Area Agreement.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that item CZ07-00013, an application for the re~oning of approximately 4.99
acres of property located along the north side of Rohret Road apprQximately ~ mile southwest of
the Rohret Road and Landon Avenue intersection from Agricultural (A) to Residential (R3), be
denied.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Location Map
2. Photograph
Approved by:
A-w-~
Robert Miklo, Senior Planner,
Department of Planning and Community Development
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