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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-10-22 CorrespondenceMarian Karr From: GoCart54@aol.com Sent: Thursday, October 03, 2002 11:15 AM To: council@iowa-city.org Subject: water plant I would like to know why there was no notice about where the money is going from the sale of it? Harold Stager 201 N.lst. Ave.# 302 Iowa City, Iowa 52245 338-1803 10/3/02 Marian Karr From: Thayer, Steve [ThayerS(~uihc.uiowa.edu] Sent: Monday, October 07, 2002 1:36 PM To: 'cou ncil@iowa-city.org' Subject: Sewer backup problems Dear Council members, I would like to make you aware of a problem with the storm/sanitary sewer on my street in particular and in my neighborhood. I live at 412 Brookland Place. For some reason, the city had never corrected the fact that the storm sewer and the sanitary sewer are one and the same on my street. This problem also pertains to others in my neighborhood served by this same sewer line. My sewer has backed up and flooded my basement many times in the 8 yrs I have lived at this address. In the period between July 10th and Aug 23rd, the sewer backed up and flooded my basement 3 times! It was not until the 2nd of those, that I discovered (was told by a city employee) that the sanitary sewer and storm sewer were not separated, as they should be. Had it not been for the obvious very green grass clippings in my basement, I might still be unaware that the problem was being caused by a sewer line that did not meet current code. First, I would like this problem corrected as soon as possible. I have had to endure 8 yrs of not being able to properly use my basement, thousands of hrs of clean up, loss of many days of vacation (which by the way are priceless) and have had a lot of damaged property due to this problem. Second, I would like to know why the property owners who are connected to this combined storm/sanitary sewer were never notified that the sewer line did not meet current code, and that there were both known and potential problems due to this fact. This city has known about this problem since at least the early 70's. There has apparently been a history of problems reported by my neighbors. Even though I have asked various city officials several times, I have yet to receive a list of all the properties connected to this problem sewer line, and a list of the all of the complaints/problems the city has received from property owners connected to this sewer. I also asked that all of my neighbors (and myself) who are connected to this combined storm and sanitary sewer, be sent a notification of that fact, and be asked if they have had any problems with flooding in their basements. None of this has happened. I first asked for this information at the end of July. I think I've waited a reasonable amount of time now, but have not received any of the mequested information from the city. I would also llke to request, demand really, that the city clean the sewer line monthly instead of quarterly from now on, until this problem is corrected, and the storm and sewer lines are separated up to current code requirements. Thank you, Steve Thayer 412 Brookland Place Iowa City IA 52246-2000 thayers@uihc.uiowa.edu Page 1 of 2 Marian Karr, From: Richard Northam Sent: Thursday, October 10, 2002 3:53 PM To: thayers@uihc.uiowa.edu Cc: *City Council; Rick Fosse', Chuck Schmadeke; Dave Elias Subject: FW: Sewer backup problems Dear Mr. Thayer: As you are aware, the Iowa City Wastewater Division recently conducted smoke-testing of the s~nitary'sewer in your neighborhood to determine the potential for inflow and infiltration of storm and groundwater into the sanitary. Infiltration of groundwater does not pose a problem due to the relatively high elevation of the sewer. However, results of the smoke- testing indicated a high potential for the inflow of storm water into the sanitary sewer that serves your residence as well as others on Brookland Park and Brookland PI. Findings from the smoke-testing are attached. Areas where smoke was visually observed indicate a direct connection to the sanitary sewer. The sewer line serving your residence begins at the North end of Brookland Pi and extends south to Melrose Ave. then east to Riverside Drive. A list of residents who registered sewer back-up problems with this division, dating back to 1993, was e-mailed to you on Aug.121 2002, which you acknowledged in your e-mail response on the same date. The structure of most concern during heavy rainfall is the storm intake at the intersection of Brookland PI. and Brookland Park. The intake is located in the middle of the street and is directly connected to the sanitary sewer. The sanitary is an 8" line which could easily be surcharged during heavy rains. To my knowledge there is no City ordinance or code that prohibits a storm sewer being tied into a sanitary sewer. However, a sanitary being tied into a storm is prohibited. The Engineering Division is currently looking at available options to alleviate this problem. In the meantime the Wastewater Division will continue routine preventive maintenance of this line. If an emergency arises, we can be contacted, day or night, at 356-5177. Thank you for your concern. Sincerely, Richard Northam Asst. Supt. lC Wastewater Diuv. 9/23/02 Smoke Testing Results at Brookland and Myrtle · Smoke observed coming out of vent stacks at: 505 Myrtle 412 Brookland P1 516 Brookland Park 501 Myrtle 408 Brookland P1 513 Brookland Park 500 Myrtle 402 Brookland P1 506 Brookland Park 408 Myrtle 400 Brookland P1 505 Brookland Park 3 ! 3 Myrtle Yellow house east of 313 Myrtle · Storm catch basin plugged on N. side of Myrtle east of Brookland · 309 ~/2 Myrtle smoke coming up around sewer clean-out in front of house · Storm sewer at intersection of Brookland P1 and Brookland Park - lots of smoke · Sanitary manhole in gravel driveway north of Brookland Park and Brookland P1 intersection - lots of smoke · Brick sanitary manhole in lawn South of Brookland P1 and Brookland Park intersection - lots of smoke Iowa City Wastewater Division Sewer Complaint Log Record Search from 1992 through 10/'1'1/02 Brook~and Park I E, rookland P~ace area Re~ID SewerlB Date Time Hearer StreetNo Street CrossSt CompFirst CompLast Type 3omments 8423 1348 8/23/2002 5:27:04 AM :IGUEROA 412 BROOKLAND PL BROOKLAND PARK STEVE THAYER HOMEFLOOD 841C 7/27/2002 7:43:33 AM 3ULL 412 BROOKLAND PL STEVE THAYER HOMEFLOOD Subject contacted Carol Sweeting,Water ~-o., to repo~( catch basin not functioning in area of 516 Brookland Park Dr. Sandy I. 76891 02/04/00 3:05 PM 516 BROOK[AND PARK BROOKLAND PL CARO SWEETING NTAKE Took call from Carol 704,~ 07/10/98 6:56 AM A/ELLS BROOK[AND PARK BROOKLAND PL CITIZEN NTAKE Water on street 604.c 11/29/96 11:50:00 PM JACKSON 513 BROOKLAND PARK BROOK[AND PARK PAUL ]IEHL ~OMEFLOOD Houses connected to Brook Place sewer line: 400 Brookland Place 505 Brook[and Park Dr. 402 Brook[and Place 506 Brook[and Park Dr. 404 Brookland Place 513 Brookland Park Dr. Marian Karr From: Thayer, Steve [ThayerS@uihc. uiowa.edu] Sent: Monday, October 14, 2002 4:09 PM To: 'Richard Northam'; Thayer, Steve Cc: *City Council; Chuck Schmadeke; Rick Fosse; Dave Elias Subject: RE: Sewer backup problems-- additional info attached I originally spoke to someone at the wastewater treatment plant administration who led me t believe that it was illegal (did not meet current code) to have a combined sanitary and storm sewer. If that is not the case, than either I misunderstood or was given some bad information. I also asked (back in July) for a list of all the residents attached to the same sewer line as I am, both up stream and downstream from me. That has not yet been provided! I have only recently been given a partial list, which shows only those residents that are very close to me, but not everyone on the line as I requested. I also asked that the city notify everyone else on the "combined" line that they are on indeed on a combined line, and ask if they have had any problems backup/flooding in their basements. I suspect that there are other people who have also had problems in the past, but, like me, did not realize the problems were due to the combined storm and sanitary sewer. Had I known about the combined line, I might have realized long before now that the flooding in my basement was from the sanitary sewer. The sewer in my basement backed up THREE times this sunleer (one of which you still do not have in YOUR list, but which I ask that you add inm~ediately). I had assumed, incorrectly, that the water in my basement had made a one-way trip from my foundation to the sewer drain, rather than the round trip it actually made from the sewer to the perimeter of my foundation and back again. Unless one happens to be in the basement at the precise moment the storm/sanitary sewer is overwhelmed and backs up, it is hard to know that the water made a round trip thru the drain, rather than only going "out" the drain. It wasn't until I saw all the fresh green grass clippings in my basement that I realized there was storm water contamination of the sanitary sewer, and that the water had made a round trip thru the drain. It was at that point that I called the city and started asking questions. I have had no response to date to some of my questions/requests! I want to make sure all the other residents connected to this combined sanitary/storm sewer line know about the potential for having the sewer backup, so they can take appropriate action, and notify the city when/if it occurs. As I have stated before, this has happened to me many times in years past,, but I assumed it had nothing to do with the sanitary sewer and therefore did not notify the city when my basement was flooded. I do know the first time it happened was in the spring of 1995, when I had lived at my current address about 8 months. I sustained a huge amount of damage that time, but had no idea the water had come into my basement via the sanitary drain. This has been a continual problem for me since the spring of 1995! And I believe the former owner of my house also had the same problem repeatedly, but never would have understood what was happening either. So I want to make it perfectly clear that there have been MANy more incidents of sewer backup/flooding than are noted on your list - for my property alone. And I would be greatly surprised if there weren't other residences that have also had the same problem, but like me, did not realize that the problem was caused by the combined sanitary and storm sewer. ! I would also like to make another point. I know the city is concerned about people that have sump pumps illegally draining into the sanitary sewer. It makes no sense to be concerned about the relatively small amt of "storm" water entering the sanitary sewer in this manner, when there several blocks of street storm sewers "connected" to the sanitary sewer, as is the case in my neighborhood. I was told my neighborhood was not the only place in the city to have a "combined" sanitary and storm sewer. Obviously, this impacts the cost of operating the sanitary sewer processing plant much, much more than all of the sump pumps in the city that m~ght be illegally attached. To make an issue of the sump pumps is the height of hypocrisy in light of the volume of storm water entering the sanitary sewer through street drains. I think the city needs to acknowledge the fact that the huge volume of storm water entering the sanitary sewer in my neighbor hood is as much or more of a problem for the waste water treatment system, than is for myself and my neighbors! There is no good reason this situation has been allowed to continue since the early 70's when it was first identified. The amount of money wasted on "extra" waste water treatment cost alone is substantial. I would hate to have to have to sum the total amount of damages I have sustained due to this problem, not only in material goods, but also all of my own time (which by the way is worth far more than $10/hr), the vacation time I've has to waste dealing with this problem (which is priceless), a cancelled vacation trip, and the loss of proper/appropriate use of my basement all these years. Steve Thayer Information Systems (319) 356-0057 thayers~uihc.uiowa.edu ..... Original Message ..... From: Richard Northam [mailto:Richard-Northam@iowa-city.org] Sent: Thursday, October 10, 2002 5:31 PM To: thayers@uihc.uiowa.edu Cc: *City Council; Chuck Schmadeke; Rick Fosse; Dave Elias Subject: FW: Sewer backup problems-- additional info attached The following attachments were omitted from the previous message. Please note that from 1992 to the present we have recorded a total of five complaints regarding the sewer problem on the Brookland Place sewer line. (Two of these reports were from Mr. Thayers residence this past summer) Richard Northam Asst. Supt. Iowa City Wastewater Div. 4366 Napoleon Street SE Iowa City, IA 52240 {319) 356-5170 Marian Karr From: Dave Elias Sent: Monday, October 14, 2002 7:22 PM To: 'Thayer, Steve' Cc: *City Council; Chuck Schmadeke; Rick Fosse; Richard Nor[ham Subject: RE: Sewer backup problems Dear Mr. Thayer, I'd like to acknowledge your concern and frustration regarding sewer back-ups in your home. I will try to answer the points you raise one at a time, and provide you with some additional information on the direction the City intends to take in this matter. 1. Storm sewer connection to the sanitary sewer are not illegal, although we endeavor to keep them separated as much as possible. 2. You have been provided a list of all up-stream homes and those on your street that are connected to the sewer line in question. You can also assume that any homes on Myrtle Street, going east to Riverside Drive will be connected as well. You are welcome to verify these connections yourself at the Civic Center in the Housing and Inspection Services Department, which holds sewer connection permit records for all buildings in Iowa City. Our sewer complaint log shows no additional complaints registered with us for sanitary sewer back-ups on Myrtle Ave. (This is not surprising, as the sewer line slope is quite steep as it descends to Riverside Drive, and water will travel away quickly in this line.) 3. The Wastewater Division maintains a database of all sewer complaints we receive. Our operators record the details of any concern phoned into us, and a crew is assigned to respond on an emergency basis if necessary. Our policy is to be at the location of a sewer back-up complaint, within 30 minutes, night or day. 4. You can be assured that wastewater from your home does not make a roundtrip, out of your home and back in. What is happening on your street is that one storm water intake, on the corner of Brookland Park Drive and Brookland Place, is connected to the sanitary sewer. Grass clippings on the street may be washed in, along with sand or mud. If the sewer main becomes blocked downstream from your house, water can back-up into your home drains. It is our responsibility to keep the sanitary sewer main flowing. We will certainly give your area increased attention now that we are aware of the extent of your problem. 5. The City contains approximately 275 miles of sanitary sewer main. The number of direct connections to storm sewers is very small although we continue to search for ways to remove additional storm water from our system. Sump pumps and leaky pipes are two other areas we work on eliminating. We must, however, take into account the cost of allowing the excess water to be treated versus the cost of repairing or installing new pipe through an already well developed neighborhood. Currently, the City has begun analyzing the problem on your street, which you have brought to our attention. Smoke testing has already been conducted which helps us identify any unknown connections. The Engineering Division will evaluate possible pipeline routes and associated costs. Once possible routes are determined, property owners will be contacted in order to arrange for the crossing of the property, or the acquisition of easements or the property itself. I will keep you informed on the progress of this process. In the meantime, there are a few things you might be able to do to protect your basement from further damage. I would be happy to help you evaluate the feasibility of any of these. If the water enters through one floor drain, plumbing shops will have either "ball check valves" or pipe plugs that you could insert into the drain. If the drain cannot be secured in this way, sandbags have been used as a temporary stop to water back-ups. Other places the water may come up include basement toilets, sinks, showers, or washing machine drains. These can also be addressed with plugs on a temporary basis. If you have a sump pump, be sure it is regularly tested and functional, wherever it is plumbed to. If you detect any gurgling or slow running sewers from your home, call anytime on our Sewer Emergency Line at 356- 5177. If you would like to discuss your concerns directly with me, please call or stop in at our office. Dave Elias Superintendent 4366 Napoleon St. SE Landfill and Wastewater Division ~- City of Iowa City phone: 319-356-5170 , IOWA CITY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT .~ 1801 South Riverside Drive Iowa City, Iowa 52246 Office Phone (319) 356-5045 7 October 7, 2002 Mayor Ernie Lehman Iowa City Civic Center 410 East Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Dear Ernie: In the past few weeks we have been reading articles in the various newspapers (see attached) that imply that the Airport Commission is expected by the Council to "improve its budget outlook" by next year. We just wanted to reiterate, as we have in previous joint Council / Commission meetings, that we will have the same revenue shortfall next year if we do not get any of the Aviation Commerce Park properties sold. Our realtor tells us that this could take four to five years to lease or sell all the parcels. As we sell the properties this will slowly improve our situation but by no means will it be completely resolved by next year. I am sure that all the members of the Council remember discussing this with us, but we don't want the perception of the media to be thought of as reality by the Council at a future date. We have been doing all we can to trim the expense side of our budget and will be looking for more ways of doing that as we go into the FY 2004 budgeting process. Should you have any question, please do not hesitate to ask. Sincerely ~ort Commission Cc: Airport Commission City Council two govern- eeted ,m tmong over tlons this CI~ ~r S~ A~ w~ Ci~ C~ M~ ~ ~ Ci~ "For tho~ of you who Mao-style Communist P~ty shoed ~clu~ mem~ v~ ~. which net fa~s ~ible ~ · not ~n~him~ Perrin: "AUtomatt road ~ds l~e a Vict~i~ i~ ~e. "I don't ~ ~ hol~ a~ut five ~om of ~l~e. A jug ~ otl It w~, h~er, a suc~ / October 8, 2002 To: City Council of Iowa City From: David Baldus and George Woodworth Re: Iowa City Police Stop Study by Angela West, University of Louisville We appreciate your sending us Angela D. West's August 27, 2002 letter to Chief Winkelhake responding to our August 18 and 20, 2002 critiques of her police stop study. Dr. West's letter presents a number of reasons why the conduct of police stop studies is difficult. However, her letter does not in anyway question our assertion that her June ! 3, 2002 study - "Traffic Stop Practices of the Iowa City Police Department: April 1- December 31,2001"- simply does not address the issue of whether race was a factor in the initial traffic stops. This is also what she said in her remarks to city council at its August ! 9, 2002 work session, i.e., "On the basis of our study, one simply cannot tell if race is a factor in the initial decision to stop motorists." It is for this reason that the claim of the police chief and others that the Louisville study demonstrates that race is not a factor in the initial decisions to stop motorists has no support whatever in that study and is a complete misrepresentation of what it does contain. THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA October 10, 2002 TO: City of Coralville City Engineer, Dan Holderness City Manager, Kelly Hayworth City Mayor, Jim Fausett Planning & Zoning Chair, Michael Sobocinski City of Iowa City City Engineer, Rick Fosse City Manager, Steve Atkins City Mayor, Ernie Lehman Planning & Community Development Director, Karin Franklin Planning & Zoning Chair, Ann Bovbjerg JCCOG Executive Director, Jeff Davidson University Hei.qhts Mayor, Gloria Jacobson Dear City Officials, In order that you might be more fully aware of the University of Iowa's plans for development of our campus, I have added you to our mailing list for the monthly meetings of our Campus Planning Committee (CPC). The CPC is a UI charter committee named by the U! President to: a) Advise on the establishment of general policies for the orderly, efficient and attractive development of the University's physical campus and facilities, giving particular attention to aesthetic and ecological considerations; b) Advise on proposals for major development or building projects and proposals for major revisions in ongoing projects, giving consideration to compatibility with existing standards and policies and site selection; and c) Advise on policies of space allocation and utilization, major modification or reallocations of existing facilities and the response to development proposals of all affected elements of the University. Facilities Services Group - Administratim 210 University Services Bldg Iowa City IA 52242-1922 Phone: 319/335-1248 These meetings are ordinarily attended by project architects, Focal press, interested campus users, and senior administrators, and we would welcome your presence. Sincerely, Interim AVP and Director, Facilities Services Group C: Barbara Eckstein, CPC Chair Douglas K. True, VP Finance and University Services L\p\admin\fy03\CPC agenda to Atkins - Lehman 100902.doc THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA /4 o I E.' Please replace the incomplete agenda mailed to you yesterday with the letter from Drew Ives with the attached agenda. Original one did not get copied on both sides. Thanks. ~. ~. October 10, 2002 TO: Campus Planning Committee S Ashley chmidt Craig KletzJng Dean Dykstra Gregg Oden Jim Walters Johna Leddy Jori Nelson Linzee McCray Paul Perry FROM: Barbara Eckstein, CPC Chair 3 RE: Campus Planning Committee Meeting Agenda - October 15, 2002 The next Campus Planning Committee is scheduled for Tuesday, October 15, 2002 from 3:30-5:00 p.m. in conference room 202 University Services Building. (05) Call to Order and September 10, 2002, Mnutes - Chair Eckstein Action Item(s) None Information Item(s) (10) Campus Beautification Projects Update - Larry Wilson (15) Urban Forest Master Plan - Larry Wilson (05) Art Building - Phase 1 update--Groundbreaking / Draining pond -Rod Lehnertz (10) Athletic Learning Center- Grand Avenue Court update - Rod Lehnertz (10) Clock Tower Ramp - LTV',//Bob Brooks Facilitie$ScrvicesG~up [nlerinlDir¢ctce: AndrewM. Ive$,Jr. 210USB 319-335-1201 FAX 319-335-1210 CampusPlanningCommittee Chair: BarbaraEckslein 309EPB 319-335-0449 FAX 319-335-2535 CPC Web Page; hllo://~ww,uiowa.edu/~cpe October 10, 2002 Page 2 (05) CPC Project Representative Reports if available. · Athletic Learning Center- Barbara Eckstein · Art Building - Phase I - Paul Perry · Burge Residence Hall Southwest Courtyard - Ashley Schmidt · Carver Biomedical Reseamh Building - Dean Dykstra · Classroom/Journalism Building- Gregg Oden, Ashley Schmidt · Chemistry Building Renovation- Johna Leddy, Jori Nelson · College Street Pedestrian Walkway- Craig Kletzing · Dey House Addition- Linzee McCray · Hawkeye Athletic/Recreation Facilities Complex - Paul Perry · Health Sciences Campus Landscape- Phase 4 - Jim Walters · Medical Education Biomedical Research-C - Gregg Oden, Jori Nelson, Linzee McC}ay ' · Melrose Parking RampAddition- Dean Dykstra · Old Capitol Restoration- Barbara Eckstein · Pomerantz Center- Craig Kletzing, Dean Dykstra · Sports & Athletics Facilities Master Plan Update- Craig Kletzing, Ashley Schmidt, Jim Walters · T. Anne Cleary Walkway- Craig Kletzing · University Hygienic Laboratory- Johna Leddy · West Campus Residence Hall- Barbara Eckstein, Paul Perry · West Campus Ramp 3/Chilled Water Expansion - Barbara Eckstein, Jon Nelson (05) Old Business New Business (15) Roie of CPC with FSG - Chair Eckstein (10) Naming request -V.P. Doug True CPC members, please call Elnora at 335-1201 if you will be late or unable to attend. Marian Karr From: f[[ntstone27bambam@yahoo.com Sent: Wednesday, October 09, 2002 1:48 PM To: counciI@iowa-city.org Subject: Stench in the air Hello councilors, I came before you all about 8 months ago wanting to discuss what could be done about what I percieved as the horrible solid waste pollution that I was seeing everywhere in this city. Not one of you bothered to e-mail me back. I thought I even had some pretty good solutions to the problem. Maybe it was the eyesore couches on porches that was getting all the attention. Well sorry to say I'm back with another huge gripe, the horrible AIR pollution problem. I know that I should just see it as the sweet smell of prosperity and growth in our once fair city, but I've got to be a sour grape! There's so many big air polluters that I could go on and on, but I'll content myself with the worse--"HAWKEYE WASTE SYSTEMS". Have any of you had the pleasure of being behind one of these "Behemoths"? You'll swear it's a coal burning steam locomotive that've has entered a time warp black hole and is Belching into the 21st century!! The awfull blanket of brown-black smoke waifs for blocks behind these monsters turning many city blocks into a thick haze of pollutants. The city buses and other big rigs such as dump trucks are bad enough, but these garbage trucks are 10 times worse. Please do something about these horrible air polluters!! Gagging in Iowa City--Fred VanAllen Do you Yahoo!? Faith Hill - Exclusive Performances, Videos & More http://faith.yahoo.com 629 Melrose Avenue Iowa City, IA 52246 October 16, 2002 City City Council _.'~ Iowa 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 _.~! 7 ~:? Dear Council Members: I'm writing to you for several reasons. First, I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak at the last council meeting despite the fact that the public hearing on the order to vacate Grand Avenue Court had been closed at a prior meeting. I appreciate your willingness to entertain discussion, even when that discussion may not take place at the intended time. Second, I want to reiterate my personal belief that the west side study that the University is about to undertake needs to be conducted by a group with no stake in the outcome. I believe this to be the case for 2 reasons. First, such a study will likely produce better and more reliable data, a notion supported by the following: ,, As I mentioned during my comments at the council meeting, the 3-lane alternative for Melrose Avenue recommended by the consultants in 1994 was not the alternative that had been advocated by either the city or the University, both of which I believe had studied the area extensively. · The Environmental Assessment produced by BRW, Inc., of Minneapolis produced new information when it revealed for the first time that the constraint with respect to Melrose Avenue was not the number of lanes but rather the size of the intersections: as more lanes were added, the pressure on the intersections increased to the point where all were operating at failing levels of service by the year 2015. The other reason for suggesting that an outside party conduct the study is that I believe the scope of the study needs to do more than just look at traffic in this part of town. For example, it was mentioned several times at the council meeting that traffic diverted from Melrose Avenue is going to end up on Benton Street, but this would not be the case for traffic coming in from the north on Dubuque Street--the logical alternative route for that traffic would be Park Road. Will that part of town be looked at for future enhancement as a conduit for traffic to the University? If not, shouldn't it be? And what about the non-vehicular effects? The plans under discussion will affect the many pedestrians and bicyclists in the area as well as cars. The consultants stated in 1994 that the Mekose Avenue project was one oftbeir more challenging jobs. Given the current, already very complicated configuration of this part of town and the University's plans to embark upon a significant building program in the area, the extent of which is not yet fully known, the considerations will be even more daunting, requiring the services of experts who will look at all the probable effects, not just the obvious ones or those affecting primarily one group. Of special concern to the residents of the area, of course, is the effect of UI's plans on the neighborhood, a consideration likely to be given short shrift in a study undertaken by the University. Finally I want to respond to a comment that Mike O'Donnell made and, in so doing, clarify the point of my remarks before council. Mike said something to the effect that, given the 70,000 fans that attend football games and the 17,000 fans that attend basketball games, can we ever expect traffic run smoothly on Melrose Avenue. My concern, and I believe that of my neighbors, bas nothing to do with traffic during sporting events. Rather it is the likely and irreversible effects to this part of town from the University's plans now under discussion, of which traffic is one consideration. The proposed cbanges will affect not just the residents of the area but everyone who comes here to work, go to school, visit the hospital and use the athletic facilities; it will also affect those individuals just passing through on their way to places like University Heights, West High School and the Avenue of the Saints. A study of the area is essential, and it is heartening that you have agreed to put off making any changes pending the completion of such a study. However, I personally care more about the process than the outcome. Being neither a city planner nor a traffic engineer, I have no preconceived notion as to what the right answer will be for the problems that are being addressed. What matters most is that the study be thorough and fair, and this is more likely to be the case with an outside, expert, objective group doing the work. I believe anything less jeopardizes the likelihood that all interested parties will be able to endorse the conclusions reached at the end of the process. Thank you for your consideration. Truly yours, Michaelanne Widness City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: October 8, 2002 To: City Clerk From: Beth Pfohl, Traffic Engineering Planner,¢'~O Re: Item for October 22, 2002 City Council meeting: Installation of NO PARKING ANYTIME signs on the west side of First Avenue between Rochester Avenue and 400 feet north of Hickory Trail, and installation of STOP signs on Hickory Trail and Bluffwood Circle at their intersections with First Avenue As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, 3B of the City Code, this is to advise the City Council of the following action. Action: Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A(10), NO PARKING ANYTIME signs will be installed on the west side of First Avenue between Rochester Avenue and 400 feet north of Hickory Trail. Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A(5), STOP signs will be installed at the intersections of Hickory Trail/First Avenue and Bluffwood Circle/First Avenue. Comment: This action is being taken as a result of the First Avenue extension to Scott Boulevard. The opening of First Avenue is anticipated in November, and the signs will be installed at that time. mgdagd items/bp-lstave doc City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: October 8, 2002 To: City Clerk From: Beth Pfohl, Traffic Engineering Planner '¢'~1o Re: Item for October 22, 2002 City Council meeting: Installation of NO PARKING ANYTIME signs on the north and south sides of Ernest Street As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1,3B of the City Code, this is to advise the City Council of the following action. Action: Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A(10), R7-1 signs indicating NO PARKING ANYTIME will be installed on the north and south sides of Ernest Street. Comment: This action is being taken at the request of the Fire Department. Ernest Street is a private street with a width of 20 feet. Vehicles parking on either side of the street create a hazard for emergency vehicle access. 9-1-3A(11) of the City Code gives the City authority to regulate parking for safety hazards on public or private streets. mgr/agd items/bp-ernest doc City of !owa City MEMORANDUM Date: October 8, 2002 To: City Clerk From: Beth Pfohl, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner ,/¢~2 Re: Item for October 22, 2002 City Council Meeting: Installation of a STOP sign at the intersection of Camden Road and Court 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(5), a STOP sign will be installed at the intersection of Camden Road and Court Street. Comment: This action is being taken consistent with City policy that local or collector streets should be required to stop at intersections with arterial streets. Camden Road is a local residential street and Court Street is an arterial street. jccogtp\memos\cambenstop doc City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: October 16, 2002 To: City Clerk From: Beth Pfohl, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner ~ Re: Item for October 22, 2002 City Council meeting: Modification of a commercial vehicle loading zone to a loading zone on the east side of the 100 block of South Clinton 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), a commercial vehicle loading zone on the east side of the 100 block of South Clinton Street will be changed to loading zone with a 15-minute limit. The loading zone will be in affect 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Sunday. The existing 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. tow away zone provision will remain in affect. Comment The modification of this loading zone has been requested by a business in the area. It will allow a 15-minute limit general public loading zone, and will replace a general public loading zone which was displaced by the installation of angle parking on the west side of the 100 block of South Clinton Street jccogtp\memos\loadzone doc Marian Karr From: James Andrews [james-andrews@uiowa.edu] Sent: Thursday, October 17, 2002 3:22 PM To: cou ncil@iowa-city.org Subject: UI construction plans near east end of MeLrose Avenue Dear Members of the City Council, We are writing to express our appreciation for your wise decision to postpone making any changes in the configuration of the existing streets near the east end of Melrose Avenue pending completion of a comprehensive study of the possible effects of any such changes. Although those of us who live nearby have a special interest in what the University of Iowa planners will propose and what the City may subsequently approve regarding construction in this particularly critical area, we believe that all the residents of Iowa City have a large stake in any changes that are finally approved and implemented. So we are very pleased that a comprehensive study will be completed before any decisions are made, and we would only urge the Council to insist that such a study be performed by outside experts who have no vested interest in the outcome. Such was the case when Melrose Avenue was widened to three lanes some years ago, and the great success of that alternative design, which neither the UI nor the City planners had suggested, speaks volumes about the wisdom of seeking the advice of qualified independent consultants. Sincerely, James and Barbara Andrews 2 Melrose Circle Iowa City, Iowa 52246 (319) 338-9585 Marian Karr From: WalkersiC~aol.com Sent: Friday, October 18, 2002 4:53 PM To: cou ncil(~iowa-city.or§ Subject: Me[rose Avenue/Grand Avenue traffic study Dear Council members: I am grateful that a study will be made of the Melrose Avenue/Grand Avenue traffic flow and that members of the neighborhood will be included in the process. I feel that the City, neighbors and university can work together to come up with a plan that will enhance the area. City Manager Stephen Atkins sent me the proposed outline for the study, which suggested the study corridor be limited to the segment between the intersection of Melrose/South Grand and Riverside Drive. I would suggest that the study also include the Melrose Avenue/Melrose Court intersection {which is just half a block west of the Melrose Avenue/South Grand Avenue intersection) especially as there is a traffic light at this intersection which would impact any changes to the east end of Melrose Avenue. Thank you, Jean Walker 337-5201 THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA MEMORANDUM To: Mayor Lehman and Members of the Council From: Douglas K. Tr~ Date: October 17, 2002 I was quite disappointed at the recent Council action to delay vacation of a portion of Grand Ave. Court pending a traffic stuely. The University administration values the strong history of goodwill and cooperation with the City, thus I wanted to review with you here the steps we took leading to the recent Council meetings and the basis for our request for vacation. As the University developed plans for a new Athletic Learning Center we worked with City staff who recommended that vacation of Grand Avenue Court would better and less expensively provide access to the new facility. Likewise it was determined that closure would not have any material impact on traffic in the surrounding area. Indeed, based upon these understandings between City and University staffs, UI proceeded to award a contract for construction of the Athletic Learning Center. While this reliance on the professional judgments of staff employed by the City has long guided UI in proceeding with or amending projects, henceforth, we will hold projects until Council approval of enabling conditions regardless of how routine we or the City staff believe it to be. I regret we did not do this in the instance of Grand Avenue Court. This is in no way a criticism of the City or University professionals who were engaged in considering the vacation. They did their jobs properly and followed past practices. In the days and hours preceding Council action on the proposed vacation, the University was asked to participate in a traffic study of the immediate area and was asked to preserve the adjacent Victorian (Cannon-Gay) home now owned by the University. The University readily agreed to participate actively in traffic studies in this area sought by the City - including partnering on paying costs of the study. We also agreed to share all other related traffic information that w~s available. As to the home, it was an unrelated matter and the University believed it was inappropriate to link this with an adjacent action, particularly given the Ul's enormous and costly efforts to preserve the heritage of the community and University. Nonetheless, with great misgivings, I authorized this commitment to be made to show our good faith to the City. Office of the Vice President for 105 Jessup Halt Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1316 319/335-3552 Finance and University Service~ FAX 319/353-2069 The Council's subsequent action to delay vacation o[ a street bordered entirely by the UI and with no consequences to local traffic was disturbing and difficult to understand. We remain committed to doing joint traffic studies in this area and in cooperating closely with City staff. However, we remain puzzled at the Council's delay of this reasonable request for vacation of Grand Ave. Court. I have been apprised by University design and construction services staff that they are at a point of determining whether to redesign portions of the Athletic Learning Center in order to meet existing street elevations, or to maintain a course toward the more appropriate current design. Without confirmation of a vacation (or at least approval for street elevation changes) we run significant risks in maintaining our current design. Thus, decisions made to redesign foundations must be made immediately and cannot be postponed in hopes that the City approves vacation six months from now. cc: City Manager Atkins Ke/true/mayorlehman To tho Iow~ City Council: I am here once again to appeal to you to t~ke action to prevent the Iow~ City Akport from closing Dane Road. There has been a lot of controversy about the Airport recently pro and con. The Council hes taken the position that the Airport is an asset and shoukl remain open to benefit the community. Indeed, the Council approved the Akl)ort Master Plan over 6 years ago. If the ~kport is allowed to proceed with the expenslon caned for in the Master Plan, Dane Rued will be closed and u vainabin north-south thoroughfare will be lost. A k)t of things have changed in the hist 6 years. We have had the dis4ster of September t 1, 2001, which has dresticly reduced the emount of private flying. Master Phlns can change. For example, Runway 6-24 is now Runway 7-25. Originally, this runway ~ras to be extended 660 feet to the west. Now that figure is 800 feet. Additional changes can be made to the Mestar Plan to allow the Airport to operate safely, and keep D~ne Road open. Recently an Ambulance, 3 Sheriff care, an Iowa City Police car, and a State Tropper all drove south on Dane Road wfth lights flashing, sirens blering, and the hammer dowe. They were responding to en accident scene. Hod Dane Road been closed, they all would have had to proceed a half mile further west on Highway t, through another stop light, and then back east on Mormon Trek Extended, adding over a mile, and several minutes, to reach this emergency. Lacina Meadows, a new subdivision, will soon open with u number of new upscaio homes on this road. Traffic increases Continually on Dane Road. Once this reud is closed it will never reopen, even if the airport shoukl The Council needs to recognize that Dane Road has been, and should remain, a necessary part of the infrastructure. It is the only through north~outh access to the UI Hospital and many businesses, and lays over a mile west of Riverside Drive. It is time to tell the FAA that it is necesery fur Dane Read to remaio open. Then you need to ask the FAA, 'What must be done for the Airport to comply, and operate safely, with Dane Read open?' There has to be an answer to that question, and only the FAA can provide it. Time is runnisg out. The City has already started acquisition of right,f-way for Mormon Trek Extended. The present design of the new road does not include a 4-way stop at Dane Road. This must be corrected if Dane Road is to remain open. The time to act ~ nowi Will you? 4082 Dane Ruad SE Iowa City, IA 52240 Senior Center Memorandum To: Senior Center Commission Members From: Linda Kopping, Senior Center Coordinator Cc: Steve Atkins, City Manager; Council Members Connie Champion and Mike O'Donnell, Members of the Johnson County Board of Supervisors Re: Johnson County Operational Funding Update Date: 21 October 2002 On Thursday, October 17, 2002, Senior Center Commission Chair Jay Honohan and I attended a Work Session of the Johnson County Board of Supervisors. The purpose of this work session, at least in part, was to discuss the county's intentions insofar as funding of the Senior Center's FY04 operational budget. Discussion focused on the Senior Center's proposed FY04 budget and budget reductions and various approaches for calculating the level of operational funding that would be appropriate for the county to provide. The impodance of encouraging the incorporated areas in Johnson County, which up until now have had the padicipation of their residents funded by the county, to assume responsibility for this financial support was stressed repeatedly. Lastly, several revenue generating plans involving Senior Center participation and class fees were reviewed. 1. While no decisions were finalized, members of the Board of Supervisors indicated that they were interested in continuing to provide some level of funding for the Senior Center. 2. The majority of the Board indicated any funding provided by the county would be to finance the Senior Center participation of residents of unincorporated areas of Johnson County. It would be a participation-based fee. 3. Board members and representatives from the Senior Center discussed methods for calculating the appropriate level of county support. There were two schools of thought on this. One involved funding based on the percentage of registered members living in unincorporated areas (currently 11%), and the other involved funding based on the actual number of residents from unincorporated areas of Johnson County that use the Center annually. While Board members appeared to accept the use of the former for FY04, some members indicated that in subsequent years they might prefer a funding amount that reflected the actual use of the Center by residents from unincorporated areas. Honohan and I agreed to explore methods for obtaining this information. 4. 11% of the Center's proposed FY04 budget is $72,814.00. Board members agreed that a contribution of approximately $70, 000 to $75,000 in FY04 would probably be manageable and agreeable to the members of the Board. Moreover, they indicated that the Center could plan the FY04 operational budget anticipating a $70,000 to $75,000 county contribution. However, it should be kept in mind that this amount might vary slightly when considered in conjunction with the county's other budgetary obligations for FY04. 5. Board members were not in complete agreement about whether County funding for Senior Center operations should be drawn from the county's General or Rural Fund. However, thero seemed to be greater support for using the Rural Fund and specifying that this funding was intended to support the participation of residents from unincorporated areas of the County exclusively. 6. Carol Thompson indicated that it would be appropriate to develop a 28E Agreement with the city outlining the county's financial commitment to the Center, how the amount of financial support would be calculated, and the purpose of that support. 7. Representatives from the Senior Center agreed to contact city officials from incorporated areas of Johnson County that heretofore have not funded the Center and initiate discussions focusing on participant-based funding of the Center from these areas.